Abstract: A surgical training system and method. The system comprises means for recording reference data representing a reference manipulation of a computer generated model of an object by a master user; means for physically guiding a trainee user based on the recorded reference data during a training manipulation of the model of the object by the trainee user; and means for recording assessment data representing an assessment manipulation of the model of the object by the trainee user without guidance.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an optic cup boundary in a 2D retinal image. The method includes detecting kinks in blood vessels at an estimated boundary of the optic cup and the optic disc, and determining the position of the optic cup boundary in the 2D retinal image based on the detected kinks. The determined optic cup boundary may be used for determining a CDR which may in turn be used for determining a risk of contracting glaucomatous.

Abstract: A non-stereo fundus image is used to obtain a plurality of glaucoma indicators. Additionally, genome data for the subject is used to obtain genetic marker data relating to one or more genes and/or SNPs associated with glaucoma. The glaucoma indicators indicators and genetic marker data are input into an adaptive model operative to generate an output indicative of a risk of glaucoma in the subject. In combination, the genetic indicators and genome data are more informative about the risk of glaucoma than either of the two in isolation. The adaptive model may be a two-stage model, having a first stage in which individual genetic indicators are combined with respective portions of the genome data by first adaptive model modules to form respective first outputs, and a second stage in which the first outputs are combined by a second adaptive mode.

Abstract: A method performed by a computer system for detecting opacity in an image of the lens of an eye. The method includes detecting a region of interest in a picture of the lens, and processing the region of interest to produce a modified image using an algorithm which emphasizes opacity associated with a cortical cataract relative to opacity caused by other types of opacity, such as opacity caused by posterior sub-capsular cataracts (PSC). The modified image may be used for grading the level of cortical opacity, by measuring, in the modified image, the proportion of opacity in at least one area of the region of interest.

Abstract: A two-dimensional retinal fundus image of the retinal fundus of an eye is processed by optic disc segmentation (2) followed by cup segmentation 4. Data derived from the optic disc segmentation (i.e. the output of the disc segmentation (2) and/or data derived from the output of the optic disc segmentation step, e.g. by a smoothing operation 3) and data derived from the out-put of the optic cup segmentation (i.e. the output of the cup segmentation (4) and/or data derived from the output of the optic disc segmentation, e.g. by a smoothing operation 5) are fed (6) to an adaptive model which has been trained to generate from such inputs a value indicative of cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) of the eye. The CDR is indicative of glaucoma. Thus, the method can be used to screen patients for glaucoma.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable device comprising a biocompatible and biodegradable matrix impregnated with a bioactive complex suitable for selectively targeting the lymphatic system, wherein the bioactive complex comprises one or more particle forming materials and one or more bioactive agents. The invention is further directed to methods of using and the process of preparing, the implantable device.

Abstract: The direct electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons in solid oxide fuel cells, to generate greater power densities at lower temperatures without carbon deposition. The performance obtained is comparable to that of fuel cells used for hydrogen, and is achieved by using novel anode composites at low operating temperatures. Such solid oxide fuel cells, regardless of fuel source or operation, can be configured advantageously using the structural geometries of this invention.

Abstract: A micro-mirror optical tracking and ranging system comprises an optical transceiver having a Micro-Electro-Optical Mechanical System (MEOMS) micro-mirror beam steering system and an electronic control and operating system for processing electronic signals. An optical transceiver and MEOMS micro-mirror beam steering system comprises two oppositely installed micro-mirrors controlled so that they spin and tilt synchronously and project a laser beam out in a wide solid angle and interval in a substantially conically shaped scanning pattern. Such an optical transmitter system provides a steered frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser beam. When a laser beam waveform reflects off of an object within the scanned patter it is detected by the optical receiver an electronic control and operating system processes the detected laser beam waveform by mixing it with the original transmitted laser beam waveform and calculates the precise distance and location of the object.

Abstract: A high-resolution scanning probe microscope using a coherent dual-tip probe comprises two single-atom protrusions on a single crystal metal wire. As the dual-tip probe scans across the surface of a sample material under an electrical bias, an interferenced electron wave function formed by two protruding atoms interacts with electron wave functions of the sample surface. Such an interferenced wave function has a distinctive pattern of electron wave density as high as four times that of a single-atom tip. A more distinctive microscopic image of the sample surface is therefore generated. The resolution of the dual-tip scanning probe microscopic image is also higher than that obtained by a single-tip probe because the interferenced electron wave function provides a confined and densely distributed interactive region.

Abstract: A method of using a hydrocarbon fuel to operate a solid oxide fuel cell, such a cell comprising one or more components which can be prepared using a centrifugal deposition technique of the type described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating wastewater produced during grinding and slicing in a semiconductor packaging process, comprising a collecting tank for collecting the wastewater produced during grinding and/or slicing in a semiconductor packaging process; a physical filtration device for separating the suspended materials from the wastewater by physical filtration, the physical filtration device being in fluid communication with the collecting tank; a receiving device for receiving the wastewater treated by the physical filtration device, and the receiving device being in fluid communication with the physical filtration device. The present invention further provides a method for treating wastewater produce during grinding and slicing in a semiconductor packaging process. The present invention simplifies the treatment of wastewater produced during grinding and slicing in a semiconductor packaging process, and lowers the cost.

Abstract: A micro-mirror optical tracking and ranging system comprises an optical transceiver having a Micro-Electro-Optical Mechanical System (MEOMS) micro-mirror beam steering system and an electronic control and operating system for processing electronic signals. An optical transceiver and MEOMS micro-mirror beam steering system comprises two oppositely installed micro-mirrors controlled so that they spin and tilt synchronously and project a laser beam out in a wide solid angle and interval in a substantially conically shaped scanning pattern. Such an optical transmitter system provides a steered frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser beam. When a laser beam waveform reflects off of an object within the scanned patter it is detected by the optical receiver an electronic control and operating system processes the detected laser beam waveform by mixing it with the original transmitted laser beam waveform and calculates the precise distance and location of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of characterizing and simulating frequency translation devices. By supplying a stimulus condition as input to the frequency translation device, measurements of the intermodulation products in the output spectrum can be obtained. The measurements include both sum intermodulation products and difference intermodulation products. An index file is established to enable the extraction of the intermodulation products dependent upon a requested simulation response.

Abstract: Micro-optical elements (MOEs) are designed and fabricated onto transparent laser driver substrates to collimate or focus the beams from vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) in accordance with specific application requirements. One disclosed example teaches the hybrid integration of a top-emitting 850 mm VCSEL array and a transparent sapphire substrate that supports a monolithic MOE with designated optical functionality. A flip-chipping hybridization technique ensures a realistic and reliable process. The VCSEL beams transmit directly through the MOE structure on the transparent sapphire substrate and become well-controlled optical outputs under precise specifications. The optical power loss in such a beam shaping process is minimized compared to configurations based on conventional optical components.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell assembly (SOFC) having an array of SOFC's (12) connected in series by thin-film interconnects (22) are deposited onto a porous, insulating support (14), the layer (12) can be deposited in the order of electrode, electrolyte, interconnect and electrode. The patterning is such that the electrolyte (20) and interconnect (22), both of which are dense layers, are continuous, and form a gas-tight seal over the entire surface.

Abstract: The direct electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons in solid oxide fuel cells, to generate greater power densities at lower temperatures without carbon deposition. The performance obtained is comparable to that of fuel cells used for hydrogen, and is achieved by using novel anode composites at low operating temperatures. Such solid oxide fuel cells, regardless of fuel source or operation, can be configured advantageously using the structural geometries of this invention.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen and/or hydrocarbons in solid oxide fuel cells, to generate good power densities at low operating temperatures. Performance is obtained using various ceramic anode components, over a range of useful fuels.

Abstract: A method of using a hydrocarbon fuel to operate a solid oxide fuel cell, such a cell comprising one or more components which can be prepared using a centrifugal deposition technique of the type described herein.

Abstract: A method for forming a field emission flat panel display includes deposit a conductive patterned layer on a substrate, depositing an emitter material over the patterned layer, patterning the emitter material to provide a series of mask caps, etching the emitter material to provide arrays of emitter peaks with the mask caps thereon, depositing a dielective layer on the patterned layer and on the mask caps, depositing a conductive gate layer on the dielectric layer, depositing a high-resistivity dielectric layer on the gate layer, depositing a low-resistivity dielectric layer on the high-resistivity dielectric layer, and etching away portions of the dielectric layer, gate layer, high-resistivity dielectric layer and low-resistivity dielectric layer to expose the mask caps, and removing the mask caps to expose the emitter peaks to provide an emitter cathode panel, providing a transparent panel having a conductive coating thereon, and depositing a layer of thin film phosphors on the conductive coating to provide

Abstract: A method for making a field emitter comprising the steps of providing a projection; electrically biasing the projection; and exposing the electrically biased projection to a hydrocarbon containing plasma to form a layer of diamond nuclei on the projection. The diamond nuclei are relatively inert and have a high nucleation density. The projection is preferably a material capable of forming a carbide, such as (111) oriented silicon. Refractory metals may also be used for the projection. The electrical biasing is preferably at a voltage in a range of about -150 to -250 volts. The hydrocarbon containing plasma preferably comprises a plasma including about 2 to 5% by weight of methane in hydrogen. An intervening carbide layer is preferably formed at a surface of the projection and underlying the layer of diamond nuclei. The field emitter produced by the method and having a relatively high diamond nucleation density is also disclosed.