Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a micro endoscope having steering, rotation and tool control function which can be utilized for insertion using a needle and catheter for performing arthroscopy and endoscopic procedures.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope which utilizes a single coherent fiber bundle for simultaneously carrying imaging and illumination light.

Abstract: A photoconductive switch semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate including a region functioning as a photoconductive switch; and a metallization layer disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate including a first component including a first terminal, and an inwardly spiraling first middle portion, and a first end portion, and a second component including a second terminal, and an inwardly spiraling second middle portion, and a second end portion, wherein the first component and the second component are electrically isolated.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting a contaminant material in a food sample. The method includes irradiating a food sample with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, the beam having a plurality of frequencies in the range of about 100 GHz to about 2 THz; detecting radiation transmitted and/or reflected from the food sample; and, analyzing the detected radiation to determine the presence of contaminant material. The contaminant material may be melamine, cyanuric acid, ammeline, or ammelide.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a calibration method and apparatus for calibrating an imaging assembly for use with any given one of a plurality of working assemblies.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscopic synthetic stereo imaging method and apparatus which can produce a stereo image of a field of view of a working assembly of the endoscope.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope connector for connecting any given one of a plurality of working assemblies to an imaging assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on, and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a phase modulator in the path of one laser beam allows the constructive or destructive interference of the signals on the detector as the laser beams are swept in frequency to be adjusted to achieve greater resolution in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a composite structure of materials that are formed together in a way which gives the composite structure improved yield strength and thermal conduction capabilities.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a brake cooling apparatus and method in which heat is conducted from a brake pad to a heat dissipating portion through a heat receiving portion and a heat dissipating portion dissipates the heat into a cooling medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting organic materials, and more particularly, methods of detecting organic materials using terahertz spectroscopy. The method of detecting organic material using terahertz spectroscopy includes suspending organic material in a medium to form a sample; irradiating the sample with an illumination beam of electromagnetic radiation, the illumination beam having a plurality of frequencies in the range of about 100 GHz to about 2 THz; detecting radiation transmitted through and/or reflected from the sample; and, analyzing the detected radiation to identify the organic material, wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of agar, guar gum, gellan gum, carrageenan, xantham gum, fibrous sodium pectate, and other agar substitutes.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a composite structure of materials that are formed together in a way which gives the composite structure improved yield strength and thermal conduction capabilities.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a composite structure of materials that are formed together in a way which gives the composite structure improved yield strength and thermal conduction capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting organic materials, and more particularly, methods of detecting organic materials using terahertz spectroscopy. The method of detecting organic material using terahertz spectroscopy includes suspending organic material in a medium to form a sample; irradiating the sample with an illumination beam of electromagnetic radiation, the illumination beam having a plurality of frequencies in the range of about 100 GHz to about 2 THz; detecting radiation transmitted through and/or reflected from the sample; and, analyzing the detected radiation to identify the organic material, wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of agar, guar gum, gellan gum, carrageenan, xantham gum, fibrous sodium pectate, and other agar substitutes.