Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for estimating the concentration of an analyte in a material sample. The system comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation; a detector positioned to detect radiation emitted by the source, so that the source and the detector define an optical path therebetween; and a sample element configured to be positioned in the optical path. The sample element comprises a sample chamber at least partially defined by opposed first and second windows which are substantially transmissive of at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the source, and which define an optical pathlength through the sample element. The sample chamber has an internal volume of less than 2 microliters. When the material sample is positioned in the sample chamber and the sample chamber is positioned in the optical path, the system computes estimated concentrations of the analyte in the material sample.

Abstract: A method utilizing a computer for distributing a preselected message using electronic mail addresses stored on a user device. The method includes receiving a request to send the preselected message to e-mail addresses stored on the user device, retrieving e-mail addresses stored on the user device, and sending the preselected message to the e-mail addresses retrieved from the user device.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved modular cooling device for cooling gas chromatography analyte sample injectors. The invention is embodied in a series of tubes connected in fluid communication from a coolant supply valve to the injector heating block. A flexible supply tube capable of carrying coolant while maintaining structural integrity at temperatures up to about 150.degree. C., and having a low thermal conductivity is connected in fluid connection with a coolant supply at one end, and a transition tube at the other. A transition tube, in fluid communication with the supply tube at one end and with the cooling tube at the other, is selected to maintain structural integrity at temperatures up to 450.degree. C. and to have a low thermal conductivity. The cooling tube is in fluid communication with the transition tube at a receiving end and with an exhaust at an exhaust end, and has an outer surface that is physically engageable with a surface of the heating block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.

Abstract: A luminaire for use during a medical procedure utilizes a single optic fiber for providing a beam of light having an initial beam width and an initial beam energy. The width of the beam is adjustable without substantially decreasing the beam energy, and the beam of adjusted width can be directed onto a surgical field. A headband for mounting a luminaire is formed of a perspiration-absorbent cloth strip, has hook-and-clasp engagement, and includes a luminaire mount.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation collecting and condensing optical system includes a number of cascaded concave reflectors and a number of electromagnetic radiation or light sources which radiate light energy onto the concave reflectors in such manner that the energy from each source is combined by the reflectors into a single output which is used to illuminate a target, such as a single core optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact surgical headlamp capable of dynamic adjustment of the resulting field of illumination, comprising at least a single core fiber optic delivery light guide, an adjustable light projection system, and a mounting mechanism for movably supporting the headlamp proximate to the surgeon's eyes. A receiving block is also provided for supporting the structure of the projection system and for coupling the delivery fiber thereto. The projection system comprises a cylindrical housing mount adapted with a centrally disposed cylindrical cavity for receiving the ferruled, output end of the delivery fiber and for allowing the light output therefrom to initially diverge within the cavity of the housing mount.

Abstract: A cartridge having a film handling portion and an audio tape cassette storing portion for use with an audio-visual system. The film storing portion includes a supply and take-up reel which are coupled by an intermediate gear so that the rotation of one reel is coupled to the other and means for transporting the film spooled about the reels past an aperture plate in either a continuous or intermittent motion mode. Provision is made in the cartridge for allowing the projection of light through the image portion of the film positioned at the aperture in the aperture plate and through an auxiliary frame in the film positioned at an auxilliary aperture to identify the number of the image portion being projected. A standard audio tape cassette containing the audio portion of the audio-visual presentation associated with the film may be stored in the tape cassette storing portion facing towards the opposite side of the cartridge from the aperture plate.