Abstract: An apparatus for ablating living tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first Sr vapor laser for generating a first laser beam, a second Sr vapor laser for receiving and amplifying the first laser beam, and a spatial filter optically positioned between and coupled to the first Sr vapor laser and the second Sr vapor laser for allowing selected fractions of the first laser beam to be received and amplified by the second Sr vapor laser so as to generate a second laser beam with sufficient strength and beam quality in a single pulse for ablating living tissue.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. The system comprises an energy source capable of generating optical energy, a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, and a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises a tunable laser.

Abstract: A method of promoting and playing a motion picture at a theater in which the motion picture is not scheduled to begin at any particular time, the patron may visit the theater when convenient, and the motion picture begins a pre-determined period of time after the first patron arrives. The motion picture may begin earlier if a pre-determine level of patrons arrive. Various system are also described to support this process, including systems that delay the determination of the motion picture that will be played by a particular theater until after a visiting patron selects that motion picture. Applying these concepts to purchased or rented offices, apartments and condominiums is also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique that eliminates or minimizes the effects of reflective surfaces to reduce or eliminate interference in the data stream and allow an optical wireless communication link to be used reliably. The most important reflective surface is the reflective surface in front of the data detector itself, as that is the one that will be reflected after the transmitting and receiving stations are properly aligned. The greatest reduction in reflected data associated with a remote detector is then achieved by angling the surface in front of the data detector itself, such that reflections from that surface will not fall within the field of view of the remote detector once the stations are properly aligned.

Abstract: The invention relates to spinal fusion implants or grafts and to apparatus for the installation thereof. More specifically, the invention is a serrated cutting or abrading tool designed to be pushed into an intervertebral space and thereby remove and partially penetrate the cortical bone layer that defines the endplates of the respective mutually adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An output power control system includes an amplifier configured to supply a first current, a reference source configured to supply a second current which is proportional to and less than the first current, and a feedback converter responsive to the second current to control a gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: A self-use medical injector has a knob at the rear end of a barrel which is rotated from a zeroed position to set the dose and which rotates back again, to the zeroed position, when the injector is fired. A scale is provided on the knob (2) or barrel (1) and a datum mark or indicator on the barrel or knob co-operates with the scale. There is a raised stud (3, 11, 12, 16) providing the indicator or the zero mark of the scale. An annular member (4, 10, 14, 17) fitted over the knob if the stud is on the barrel or over the barrel if the stud is on the knob, has a projection (9, 12, 15, 18) which is registered with a mark on the scale corresponding to the required dose. This projection abuts the stud when the knob is rotated and thus sets the knob for the correct does.

Abstract: A method of eliminating the non-linearities associated with the remote feedback sensor, such as a quad position detector, used in a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) mirror assembly. The incoming beam transmitted from a remote optical wireless link is first polarized, and then a single detector is employed to detect the polarization for the receiver. The single detector eliminates the non-linearity associated with a quad position detector, since the space between the quad detectors is eliminated.

Abstract: An output power control system includes an amplifier configured to supply a first current, a reference source configured to supply a second current which is proportional to and less than the first current, and a feedback converter responsive to the second current to control a gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for deriving the measured variable from the signals (S1 to S2) of at least two sensors (23, 24) of a flow meter, which flow meter comprises one or several parallel fluid lines (20, 21) and means (22) for exciting oscillations of a predetermined fundamental frequency (&ohgr;) in the fluid line(s), the sensors (23, 24) detect the oscillations and the sensor signals (S1 to S2) are supplied by way of a respective A-D converter (36; 37) to a digital processing unit (P) having a computation circuit (46), in which their phase difference (&PHgr;) is determined as a measure of the flow.

Abstract: A two-piece healing abutment for forming an aperture in gingiva overlying an artificial root means installed in a jawbone of a patient's mouth is set forth. The root means has an upper end that is to be exposed in the aperture. The two-piece healing abutment comprises a first component and a second component. The first component has a transmucosal portion with an exterior surface for defining the aperture in the gingiva. The first component also has an internal bore extending therethrough and a lower end for engaging the upper end of the root means. The second component attached the first component on the root means. The second component extending through the bore of the first component and engaging the root means.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for deriving the measured variable from the signals (S1 to S2) of at least two sensors (23, 24) of a flow meter, which flow meter comprises one or several parallel fluid lines (20, 21) and means (22) for exciting oscillations of a predetermined fundamental frequency (&OHgr;) in the fluid line(s), the sensors (23, 24) detect the oscillations and the sensor signals (S1 to S2) are supplied by way of a respective A-D converter (36; 37) to a digital processing unit (P) having a computation circuit (46), in which their phase difference (&phgr;) is determined as a measure of the flow.

Abstract: A deflection unit of a cathode ray tube is provided with a cooling fan. The fan includes means for reducing the disturbing effect of the electric field generated by the fan on the deflection of the electrons, or the fan is arranged in such a manner that the disturbing effect is small.

Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls such as dump controls, a speed control, and a directional control, arc located at or very near handgrips of the operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. For instance, speed and direction arc both controlled by a bidirectional twist grip forming one of the handgrips. The twist grip must rotate through a neutral position before changing directional control from forward to reverse so that an operator cannot reverse the vehicle's direction of travel without first rather gradually reducing vehicle speed. Operator comfort is also enhanced by a fuel tank that shields the operator from the engine. The fuel tank also has a large capacity while simultaneously functioning as a support for side shrouds of the vehicle.

Abstract: A set of dental impression components that may be used for either pick-up type (open tray) or transfer type (closed tray) impression molding techniques. The components are used with an impression material to fabricate a model at a site in a jawbone where an implant has been osseointegrated. The impression components include an impression coping having an outer surface with its bottom end configured to reside below the gingiva surrounding the implant. A passage exists through the impression coping which accepts a first means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a pick-up type impression application. The passage also accepts a second means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a transfer type impression application.

Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls such as dump controls, a speed control, and a directional control, are located at or very near handgrips of the operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. For instance, speed and direction are both controlled by a bidirectional twist grip forming one of the handgrips. The twist grip must rotate through a neutral position before changing directional control from forward to reverse so that an operator cannot reverse the vehicle's direction of travel without first rather gradually reducing vehicle speed. Operator comfort is also enhanced by a fuel tank that shields the operator from the engine. The fuel tank also has a large capacity while simultaneously functioning as a support for side shrouds of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube includes a deflection unit (11) having a cooling fin (25) which is attached to the surface of a tapering surface on a yoke ring (23) by lugs (27). At least one of the lugs has a free end extending axially and outwardly in thermal contact with the tapering surface, and at least another of the lugs has a free end extending axially in an opposite direction and inwardly in thermal contact with the tapering surface.

Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls such as dump controls, a speed control, and a directional control, are located at or very near handgrips of the operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. For instance, speed and direction are both controlled by a bidirectional twist grip forming one of the handgrips. The twist grip must rotate through a neutral position before changing directional control from forward to reverse so that an operator cannot reverse the vehicle's direction of travel without first rather gradually reducing vehicle speed. Operator comfort is also enhanced by a fuel tank that shields the operator from the engine. The fuel tank also has a large capacity while simultaneously functioning as a support for side shrouds of the vehicle.

Abstract: A two-piece healing abutment for forming an aperture in gingiva overlying an artificial root means installed in a jawbone of a patient's mouth is set forth. The root means has an upper end that is to be exposed in the aperture. The two-piece healing abutment comprises a first component and a second component. The first component has a transmucosal portion with an exterior surface for defining the aperture in the gingiva. The first component also has an internal bore extending therethrough and a lower end for engaging the upper end of the root means. The second component attached the first component on the root means. The second component extending through the bore of the first component and engaging the root means.

Abstract: A second stage healing abutment for forming and preserving in the mucosa above a dental implant a transmucosal opening large enough to receive an artificial tooth that faithfully replicates a natural tooth being restored, and a companion transfer coping having identical transmucosal portions for forming in a laboratory model a faithful replica of the transmucosal opening made of a resilient gingiva replicating material in which to fabricate the artificial tooth, and methods of using the same.