Abstract: A ?-conjugated organic material for detecting ionizing radiation, and particularly for detecting low energy fission neutrons. The ?-conjugated materials comprise a class of organic materials whose members are intrinsic semiconducting materials. Included in this class are ?-conjugated polymers, polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules, and quinolates. Because of their high resistivities (?109 ohm·cm), these ?-conjugated organic materials exhibit very low leakage currents. A device for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation can be made by applying an electric field to a layer of the ?-conjugated polymer material to measure electron/hole pair formation. A layer of the ?-conjugated polymer material can be made by conventional polymer fabrication methods and can be cast into sheets capable of covering large areas. These sheets of polymer radiation detector material can be deposited between flexible electrodes and rolled up to form a radiation detector occupying a small volume but having a large surface area.

Abstract: A holder for a conventional high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe to be interfaced with a stepper atop a conventional tripod, or the like, to enable a physician/surgeon to image and visually inspect the rectal and prostate areas of a patient for signs of cancer and other abnormalities so that a treatment plan can be outlined and implemented. The probe holder includes a base, a pair of wall members detachably connected to one another at the front end of the base, and a pair of stand members detachably connected to one another at the rear end of the base. A first opening is formed between the pair of wall members to enclose and reliably support the proximal end of the probe. A second opening is formed between the pair of stand members to enclose and reliably support the distal end of the probe.

Abstract: A tissue protective system and method having particular application in thermoablative surgical therapies where heat or cold is used to create a kill zone for treating cancer cells as well as malignant or benign tumors in a targeted internal tissue area (e.g., the prostate) of a patient while sparing an adjacent benign internal tissue area (e.g., a neurovascular bundle). One of a hollow sheath or a balloon that is carried by a balloon catheter is located within an access opening that is made by a needle trocar inserted between the targeted tissue area in need of treatment and the benign tissue area to be protected in order to hold the protected tissue area off the targeted tissue area and away from the lethal temperature of the kill zone. The balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated in the access opening via a balloon channel which runs longitudinally through the catheter. At least one temperature sensor is mounted on the balloon and responsive to the temperature near the benign tissue area to be protected.

Abstract: A method for treatment of the surface of a CdZnTe (CZT) crystal that provides a native dielectric coating to reduce surface leakage currents and thereby, improve the resolution of instruments incorporating detectors using CZT crystals. A two step process is disclosed, etching the surface of a CZT crystal with a solution of the conventional bromine/methanol etch treatment, and after attachment of electrical contacts, passivating the CZT crystal surface with a solution of 10 w/o NH4F and 10 w/o H2O2 in water.

Abstract: A valve actuator based on a conductive polymer gel is disclosed. A nonconductive housing is provided having two separate chambers separated by a porous frit. The conductive polymer is held in one chamber and an electrolyte solution, used as a source of charged ions, is held in the second chamber. The ends of the housing a sealed with a flexible elastomer. The polymer gel is further provide with electrodes with which to apply an electrical potential across the gel in order to initiate an oxidation reaction which in turn drives anions across the porous frit and into the polymer gel, swelling the volume of the gel and simultaneously contracting the volume of the electrolyte solution. Because the two end chambers are sealed the flexible elastomer expands or contracts with the chamber volume change. By manipulating the potential across the gel the motion of the elastomer can be controlled to act as a “gate” to open or close a fluid channel and thereby control flow through that channel.

Abstract: A CdZnTe (CZT) crystal provided with a native CdO dielectric coating to reduce surface leakage currents and thereby, improve the resolution of instruments incorporating detectors using CZT crystals is disclosed. A two step process is provided for forming the dielectric coating which includes etching the surface of a CZT crystal with a solution of the conventional bromine/methanol etch treatment, and passivating the CZT crystal surface with a solution of 10 w/o NH4F and 10 w/o H2O2 in water after attaching electrical contacts to the crystal surface.

Abstract: A valve actuator based on a conductive polymer gel is disclosed. A nonconductive housing is provided having two separate chambers separated by a porous frit. The conductive polymer is held in one chamber and an electrolyte solution, used as a source of charged ions, is held in the second chamber. The ends of the housing a sealed with a flexible elastomer. The polymer gel is further provide with electrodes with which to apply an electrical potential across the gel in order to initiate an oxidation reaction which in turn drives anions across the porous frit and into the polymer gel, swelling the volume of the gel and simultaneously contracting the volume of the electrolyte solution. Because the two end chambers are sealed the flexible elastomer expands or contracts with the chamber volume change. By manipulating the potential across the gel the motion of the elastomer can be controlled to act as a “gate” to open or close a fluid channel and thereby control flow through that channel.

Abstract: A method for treatment of the surface of a CdZnTe (CZT) crystal that provides a native dielectric coating to reduce surface leakage currents and thereby, improve the resolution of instruments incorporating detectors using CZT crystals. A two step process is disclosed, etching the surface of a CZT crystal with a solution of the conventional bromine/methanol etch treatment, and after attachment of electrical contacts, passivating the CZT crystal surface with a solution of 10 w/o NH4F and 10 w/o H2O2 in water.

Abstract: A method for treatment of the surface of a CdZnTe (CZT) crystal that provides a native dielectric coating to reduce surface leakage currents and thereby, improve the resolution of instruments incorporating detectors using CZT crystals. A two step process is disclosed, etching the surface of a CZT crystal with a solution of the conventional bromine/methanol etch treatment, and after attachment of electrical contacts, passivating the CZT crystal surface with a solution of 10 w/0 NH4F and 10 w/o H2O2 in water.

Abstract: A method for treatment of the surface of a CdZnTe (CZT) crystal that provides a native dielectric coating to reduce surface leakage currents and thereby, improve the resolution of instruments incorporating detectors using CZT crystals. A two step process is disclosed, etching the surface of a CZT crystal with a solution of the conventional bromine/methanol etch treatment, and after attachment of electrical contacts, passivating the CZT crystal surface with a solution of 10 w/o NH4F and 10 w/o H2O2 in water.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating ceramic microstructures, i.e., microcomponents of micron or submicron dimensions. A polymer composition is prepared containing a polymer, typically a thermally or chemically curable polymer, and nanometer size (1 to 1000 nm in diameter) ceramic particles. A mold, such as a lithographically patterned mold, preferably a LIGA mold, is filled with the polymer composition and the polymer is then cured or otherwise hardened. The elevated segments of the mold are then removed. The surface-attached ceramic microstructures so provided may then be removed from the substrate and, if desired, pyrolyzed and sintered.