Abstract: Rapid prototyping and delivery of fluorescent medical devices using a 3D printer provided with a processed digital design and fluorescent filament feedstock. The fluorescent filament may comprise a polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and between 10 and 100 ppm of a fluorophore such as indocyanine green embedded uniformly throughout the polymer. The filament may include about one percent by weight of a colorant. The 3D printer may be located at the site of use by an end user, such as a physician office, hospital, or operating room for printing of the fluorescent medical device on demand.

Abstract: A system for obtaining an image of an object using an optical imager having an illumination source that is positioned on one side of the object to be imaged and a reflective background positioned on the other side of the object. The imaging system may be implemented in an assembly line or sample processor by using at least one imager and a reflective background positioned behind the samples moving along the assembly or process line. The imager is programmed to decode barcode information and to identify objects in the image using pattern matching techniques.

Abstract: A reader for automatically reading electronic voting machine paper audit records containing voting information encoded into barcodes printed on the audit records. The reader includes an optical imager for capturing images of barcodes printed on the audit records and a sensor for triggering the capture of images at the appropriate time. The reader further includes a drive mechanism for automatically advancing the audit records and stopping the records at the appropriate location so that the barcodes containing the voting information may be decoded. The reader is programmed to decode and interpret the encoded voting information and then provide the information to a host device. Once receipt of the information by the host has been confirmed, the reader automatically advances the audit record and repeated the decoding process.