Abstract: Formable mesh implants suitable for correcting bone implants are disclosed. A formable mesh may include a plurality of node plates that define a lattice, where connecting arms extend from each node plate. Each connecting arm associated with a given node plate connects with a plurality of adjacent connecting arms at a respective intermediate connection region, such that each connecting arm associated with the given node plate is connected to a different intermediate connection region, and such that neighboring node plates are indirectly connected through multiple connecting arms. At least a subset of the node plates may respectively include a screw-receiving aperture, and the intermediate connection regions may be absent of screw-receiving apertures. In another example embodiment, a formable mesh is disclosed in which each connecting arm of a given node plate connects with an adjacent node plate, where adjacent node plates are directly connected through at least two connecting arms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: Formable mesh implants suitable for correcting bone implants are disclosed. A formable mesh may include a plurality of node plates that define a lattice, where connecting arms extend from each node plate. Each connecting arm associated with a given node plate connects with a plurality of adjacent connecting arms at a respective intermediate connection region, such that each connecting arm associated with the given node plate is connected to a different intermediate connection region, and such that neighboring node plates are indirectly connected through multiple connecting arms. At least a subset of the node plates may respectively include a screw-receiving aperture, and the intermediate connection regions may be absent of screw-receiving apertures. In another example embodiment, a formable mesh is disclosed in which each connecting arm of a given node plate connects with an adjacent node plate, where adjacent node plates are directly connected through at least two connecting arms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide an input for a user located remote from a cutting machine to cut a part. The user can instruct the cutting machine to cut the part to the user's specification in many ways, for example such that the user can instruct the cutting machine without having knowledge of the machine's cutting processes or construction. The methods and apparatus of the embodiments described herein can convert a machine processes into an image of the part to be cut such that the user can easily view and understand the image of the part to be cut remote from the cutting machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ablating material. The material is preferably a heterogenous or composite material, such as animal tissue. A table top laser system can be employed in the invention. Alternatively, a larger laser, such as a free electron laser can be employed.

Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, for particle manipulation to perform assays.

Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive automated headspace analysis. The system includes a container conveyor that conveys a plurality of generally optically transparent sealed test containers through a pre-inspection region, an inspection region and a post-inspection region of the container conveyor, and that conveys at least one sealed reference container, through the inspection region. Also included is a zone including a laser emitter and a sensor located in the inspection region and arranged such that the laser source emits a laser beam such that it intersects with a container movement path. The conveyor alternatingly conveys test containers and reference containers through the zone.

Abstract: A system for generating tunable pulsed monochromatic X-rays includes a tabletop laser emitting a light beam that is counter-propagated against an electron beam produced by a linear accelerator. X-ray photon pulses are generated by inverse Compton scattering that occurs as a consequence of the “collision” that occurs between the electron beam and IR photons generated by the laser. The system uses a novel pulse structure comprising, for example, a single micropulse. In this way, pulses of very short X-rays are generated that are controllable on an individual basis with respect to their frequency, energy level, “direction,” and duration.

Abstract: A system for generating tunable pulsed monochromatic X-rays includes a tabletop laser emitting a light beam that is counter-propagated against an electron beam produced by a linear accelerator. X-ray photon pulses are generated by inverse Compton scattering that occurs as a consequence of the “collision” that occurs between the electron beam and IR photons generated by the laser. The system uses a novel pulse structure comprising, for example, a single micropulse. In this way, pulses of very short X-rays are generated that are controllable on an individual basis with respect to their frequency, energy level, “direction,” and duration.

Abstract: A system for generating tunable pulsed monochromatic X-rays comprises a tabletop terawatt laser delivering 10 Joules of energy in 10 ps at a wavelength of 1.1 microns. The light beam from the laser is counter-propagated against an electron beam produced by a linear accelerator. X-ray photons are generated by inverse Compton scattering that occurs as a consequence of the “collision” that occurs between the electron beam and IR photons generated by the laser. The system uses a novel pulse structure comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a single micropulse. The LINAC is configured to generate an electron beam having 1 nanocoulomb of charge in a microbunch having a pulse length of about 5 picoseconds or less (or an electron beam brightness of 1012 A/m2−radian2@ 500 A).