Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held, portable code reading and processing system within an elongated tubular housing forms a wand that transduces coded data into selected speech or music. A simple-to-use reading and processing system can be used as part of a learning and activity game. In one form, a scanning guide is hingedly attached to a book. When the guide is folded over a page of the book, a path is created across the coded data to enable children and others to easily scan the coded data with the hand-held wand. A contact switch at or near the scanning end of the system is actuated by the scanning guide to activate the code reading and processing system. An energy-saving power shutdown feature turns off the code reading and processing system when no coded data are scanned in a given time period. The contact switch and the automatic power shutdown system act in concert as a safety system to prevent small children from staring at the light source for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease and drug units for use in performing such method. The method involves invading and flooding select cells of a living being with a drug or medical material to correct a genetic flaw, destroy or otherwise prevent the production or multiplication of a disease defining substance such as a virus in such cells or prevent the cells from uncontrollably growing or dividing. The method involves injecting or otherwise administering a dose of drug units to the body or bloodstream of a living being and targeting such drug units to the select cells to be treated and invaded with the drug of the units.

Abstract: A computerized system is disclosed for performing various medical diagnostic tests and evaluating the results thereof. In one form, image data generated from an imaging device, such as a CAT, PET, or MRI scanner, is analyzed by computer and compared with coded information defining past images of the same patient and/or standard images in order to assess the patient's condition. The system may incorporate various types of both imaging and non-imaging modalities for providing data inputs which are stored in a database for analysis. In one particular embodiment, a computer automatically controls the performance of certain tests in accordance with its evaluation of the current input data.

Abstract: Medical materials for use in treating maladies in living beings, such as ulcers and other conditions of the digestive tract. In one form, a container is provided for a medication which container also contains an adhesive material which is operatively released from the container or exposed at the surface thereof upon biodegradation or dissolution of a protective coating or wall portion of the container under the effects of fluid in the digestive tract in which the container is exposed, such as by swallowing, to permit such adhesive to temporarily bond and retain the container at a select location in the digestive tract so that it may slowly release its contents thereafter to a select portion of the digestive tract. In another form, a multitude of microcapsules, each containing a small quantity of medication, is mixed with an adhesive material, such as a sulcralfate other material which may be swallowed as a tablet or dissolved in a liquid such as water.

Abstract: A method for producing elongated strip, wire or cable, a portion or all of which is defined by electrically metallic superconducting material. In one form, a substrate in the form of a strip, wire or cable, is formed by extrusion, rolling, drawing, casting or a combination of two or more of such processes, of a metal, combination of metals, metal compound, non-metallic material or a combination of such materials, and is controllably driven through a reaction chamber while the material thereof, or of the surface stratum thereof, is chemically converted, as it is driven, to a superconducting material. In a second form, such elongated wire, strip or cable is controllably coated with one or more materials which define a superconducting layer thereon or a plurality of such superconducting layers which bond or solidify on the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient under the automatic control of a computer. A diagnostic imaging modality, such as a CAT or MRI scanning system, generates one or more images of the patient's anatomy showing an anatomical region into which it is desired to deliver the cellular transplants. For each such image, location coordinates with respect to a patient support means are calculated by the computer for each individual pixel making up the image. Location coordinates are then defined for a select body region corresponding to pixels of the anatomical image(s) designated by a user of the system to receive the therapeutic agent. The computer then operates a manipulator arm in order to position an injection tool such as an injection needle or catheter mounted on the arm adjacent to the select body region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the in vivo transfer of therapeutic genes to internal body sites. An operating head of a catheter or endoscope contains a particle bombardment device for accelerating DNA-coated particles into a target tissue. With either endoscopy or arterial catheterization, the operating head may be guided to diseased or deficient organs, or other lesions, and deliver the gene coated particles in a targeted manner. In one embodiment, a double balloon catheter is employed to isolate an intravasular space containing the lesion to be treated, with the space being cleared of blood and filled with gas before operation of the particle bombardment device. The method and apparatus may also be employed to deliver other therapeutic agents to intracellular targets.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting fires in select areas, and reacting thereto to put out the fires. A stationary, earth orbit satellite, pilotless drone aircrafts or piloted aircraft contains one or more infrared detectors and optical means for detecting small fires when they first occur in fields and wooded areas, preferably where man made campfires and trash dumping are prohibited. A computer in the satellite, drone or piloted aircraft and/or on the ground receives and analyzes image signals of the earth area or areas being monitored and, upon detecting infrared radiation of varying intensity and variable shape, indicative that a fire has started, generates coded signals which are (a) indicative of the coordinate locations of the fire, (b) the extent of the fire, (c) the shape of the area(s) burning, (d) the direction of movement of the fires (e) the speed(s) of the flame fronts, (f) smoke condition, (g) intensity of the fire, (h) fire ball location(s), etc.

Abstract: An interactive instructional system includes a microprocessor-controlled base station for use by an instructor and/or a computer and a plurality of input devices each for use by a student. The base station and input devices communicate over a communication link or network employing wires, optical fibers, radio links, infrared links or the like. Each input device is in the form of a multiple keyswitch operated device which the student may operate to respond to a question posed by the instructor, computer or base station during a lecture. Each input device is also provided with an identifier code. Responses by the student are transmitted to the base station in messages, each of which further includes an identifier code thereby identifying the answering device or student.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally administering a medicinal agent to a patient under the automatic control of a computer. A diagnostic imaging modality, such as a CAT or MRI scanning system, generates one or more images of the patient's anatomy showing a diseased area such as a tumor to which it is desired to deliver the medicinal agent by injection. For each such image, location coordinates with respect to a patient support structure are calculated by the computer for each individual pixel making up the image. Location coordinates are then defined for a select body region corresponding to pixels of the anatomical image(s) designated by a user of the system to receive the medicinal agent. The computer then operates a manipulator arm in order to position an injection needle mounted on the arm adjacent to the select body region and insert the needle into the region at the appropriate depth.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring the performance of a motor vehicle. The vehicle's instantaneous accelerations in at least two directions are continually sensed and stored as coded signals in a computer memory. Performance variables of the vehicle are computed from the acceleration signals stored in memory along with associated time and date codes. By means of inertial navigation and/or radio transmissions from global positioning system satellites, the vehicle's global position is also computed and stored. The stored performance variables are analyzed over a period of time in order to evaluate how the vehicle is being driven. When an erratic or otherwise hazardous driving pattern is detected, signals may be generated to warn the driver and/or traffic authorities.

Abstract: An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on living cells in order to transfer material to the interior of selectively targeted cells is disclosed. The operation may take place in a reaction chamber in which a group of cells are disposed, only some of which are desired to receive material which serves to transform or otherwise affect the cells. In one embodiment, certain of the cells in the reaction chamber are targeted by computerized image analysis of images of the cells as generated by confocal microscopy. The targeted cells are then transfected with genetic material using a computer controlled laser beam. The laser beam creates pores in the membranes of the targeted cells through which genetic material also present within the reaction chamber may pass. An electric field may also be employed to facilitate pore formation.

Abstract: A device and method for sampling and testing the breath of human beings to detect maladies in the esophagus, stomach or gastrointestinal tract by the automatic analysis of the chemical contents of the sampled breath includes a container and a microprocessor-controlled valve for allowing a select portion of the breath to enter and be stored in the container upon exhaling through an inlet to the container so as to avoid storing air which is first exhaled. A normally open pressure switch or sensor activated by the pressure of the initial flow of the breath into an inlet tube from the mouth provides a start signal for controlling an electronic timer or microprocessor, which thereafter controls the sampling operation. The apparatus also includes passageways to several collection chambers, to permit multiple samples of the same or different body fluids to be collected and analyzed with a self-contained sensor or a remote analysis system.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods of making new and improved diamond coatings bonded to substrates, in which the coatings are protected by post-deposition treatment to form graphite-based lubricating constituents in situ, as well as articles of manufacture made using such techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for scanning select tissue of a living being with penetrating radiation and employing such radiation to perform one or more medical functions such as diagnosis and treatment of a disease or malady. In one form a computer is employed to analyze electrical signals generated by one or more transducers sensing penetrating radiation after it has penetrated select tissue of a living being and generates control signals which are employed to control further scanning and/or the operation of a surgical device to cause the latter to perform a select operation on select tissue of said living being. In a particular form, two types of radiation are generated, one to effect inspection scanning of select tissue of a living being and the other to effect a surgical operation on select tissue including the tissue scanned after a computer analyzes the inspection scanning signals generated and generates control signals for effecting the controlled surgical operation.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and computer analyzing select physiological variables of a patient in real time in order to alert medical personnel to the need for medical treatment or automatically administering such treatment under computer control. Such physiological variables monitored by the system may include lung sounds, respiratory rate and rhythm, heart rate and rhythm, heart sounds, and body temperature. Coded signals relating to the physiological variables are produced and compared with reference versions of same by a decision computer in order to evaluate the patient's condition. If the evaluation indicates medical treatment is needed, the decision computer activates a local and/or a remote alarm to alert medical personnel and/or activates one or more actuators for adminstering a medical treatment such as the injection or infusion of a drug.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating between a person, object, and/or vehicle carried transceiver and a monitor station to locate and track the movement of the same for security or anti-crime purposes. A portable computing and communication device carried by a person or located (hidden) in an object generates and transmits via radio signals a plurality of codes when remotely activated. One (or more) code(s), identifying or descriptive of the person, object or vehicle to be tracked, is (are) generated and transmitted to a monitor station to display character and/or video picture information describing and/or physically displaying a picture of a select person and/or vehicle and license plate information to permit police or security personnel to recognize the same. Such coded information may be immediately transmitted or retransmitted from the monitor station to a radio receiver carried by a policeman or in one or more police vehicles.

Abstract: A catheter device for performing atherectomy procedures and the like in which cutting blades at the distal end of the catheter are extended by the application of fluid pressure to the catheter to inflate a balloon. One or more cutting blades are attached to the end of a resilient support that maintains the blade in a retracted position until engaged by the expanding balloon to extend the blade radially outward. Specific embodiments include separate expandable balloons provided on each side of the cutting blade to isolate the operative site and separate conduits for the infusion of a flushing liquid to the operative site.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods of making new and improved multi-layer coatings for gas turbine engine parts that are exposed to elevated temperatures, such as blades and vanes in the high pressure compressor and turbine of multi-stage aircraft engines, by applying a diamond film over columnar thermal barrier coatings such as yttria-stabilized zirconia, improving the erosion resistance of the thermal barrier coating.