Abstract: A laser driven optical communication apparatus for permitting verbally impaired or disabled individuals having limited physical mobility to communicate with others. A laser device generating a coherent beam of light is provided wherein the individual directs the beam of light upon an interface screen towards forming images understandable by others. The interface screen serves to cause the beam of light to be reflected and made visible. An optical receiver comprising a modified video camera directed toward the interface screen receives the reflected image and serves to enhance the persistence of the image to cause the beam of light directed by the individual to appear as a single continuous image upon an associated display. A video cassette recorder may be incorporated to permit the images to be stored and replayed at a later time. The present invention may also be used to permit a speaker to "draw" images upon a display being projected upon a display screen such as in a conference hall setting.

Abstract: A surgical mask barrier apparatus for preventing potentially infectious fluids from penetrating through a conventional surgical respiratory mask, which fluid could come in contact with the wearer or enter the respiratory passages of an individual wearing such a mask. The surgical mask barrier apparatus consists of a substantially non-porous formed shield worn in conjunction with a conventional surgical mask. The apparatus includes ridges which cooperate with the structual ridges of a conventional surgical respiratory mask so that air passages are formed therebetween to facilitate normal breathing of the wearer. The apparatus is secured in overlapping orientation to the conventional surgical mask and thus to the wearer through the use of a resilient band. The apparatus further includes elements for removing and detecting the presence of carbon dioxide and excessive levels of moisture which could promote transmission of such infectious fluids if not corrected.

Abstract: An improved laser pumping apparatus in which a plurality of generally spherical beads are disposed in pumping energy transmitting juxtaposition with the active outer surface of a laser element so as to be positioned between the active outer surface of the laser element and a pumping energy source. in a neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser element pumped by a flash lamp, the beads are made of silicon. The beads are approximately 50 to 100 microns in diameter and may be attached directly to the active outer surface of the laser element, such as by using a pumping energy transmitting adhesive, or the beads may be attached to an intermediate transparent or translucent pumping energy transmitting member such as a thin sleeve that fits over a laser element configured as a rod.

Abstract: A three-dimensional laser driven display apparatus for the controlled projection and manipulation of laser generated images toward the creation of a three-dimensional display. The apparatus comprises an image signal generator, raster generator, laser beam generator and a varifocal mirror wherein the image signal generator and raster generator spatially encode the laser beam image. The laser beam is reflected by the raster generator onto the varifocal mirror, the vibration of which serves to spatially decode the laser beam image whereby a three-dimensional image is viewable projected in space standing off of the surface of the varifocal mirror. The interposition of an imaging surface between the raster generator and the varifocal mirror causes the three-dimensional display to be viewed directly upon the surface of the vibrating varifocal mirror.

Abstract: A laser for directing a nominally 5 micron wavelength beam at a hemangioma or other variegated lesion. A fiber optic bundle for intercepting radiation reflected from the lesion at an intensity corresponding with the color intensity of the region at which the beam is directed. The output beam from the fiber optic bundle modulates a photodetector stage whose amplified output drives a galvanometer. The galvanometer shaft is coupled to the shaft of a potentiometer which is adjustable to regulate the laser power supply and, hence, the laser output energy level so laser beam energy is reduced when high absorption regions in the lesion are being scanned by the beam and increased as low absorption regions are being scanned.

Abstract: A laser system employs a laser amplifier doped with Neodymium ions having a planar input surface receiving a laser beam having a wavelength of 1.06 microns from a laser generator also employing a Neodymium doped crystal. The laser amplifier provides an output face axially aligned with the input face and having a diameter of approximately one-fifth of the input face diameter. Approximately eighty-eight percent of the axial length of the amplifier crystal is tapered to provide a continuously decreasing cross-section from a point near the input face to a point near the output face and forming a tapered spontaneous pumping zone of substantially reduced diameter adjacent the output face. A special retainer encloses the laser amplifier which directs output pulses from the output face through a bronchoscope to vaporize carbon and possibly other particles located on alveoli within a lung of a living mammal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying radiation by producing X-rays of a selected spectrum and intensity and directing them to a desired location. Radiant energy is directed from a laser onto a target to produce such X-rays at the target, which is so positioned adjacent to the desired location as to emit the X-rays toward the desired location; or such X-rays are produced in a region away from the desired location, and are channeled to the desired location.The radiant energy directing means may be shaped (as with bends; adjustable, if desired) to circumvent any obstruction between the laser and the target. Similarly, the X-ray channeling means may be shaped (as with fixed or adjustable bends) to circumvent any obstruction between the region where the X-rays are produced and the desired location.For producing a radiograph in a living organism the X-rays are provided in a short pulse to avoid any blurring of the radiograph from movement of or in the organism.

Abstract: A laser system employs a laser amplifier doped with Neodymium ions having a planar input surface receiving a laser beam having a wavelength of 1.06 microns from a laser generator also employing a Neodymium doped crystal. The laser amplifier provides an output face axially aligned with the input face and having a diameter of approximately one-fifth of the input face diameter. Approximately 88 percent of the axial length of the amplifier crystal is tapered to provide a continuously decreasing cross-section from a point near the input face to a point near the output face and forming a tapered spontaneous pumping zone of substantially reduced diameter adjacent the output face. A special retainer encloses the laser amplifier which direct output pulses from the output face through a bronchoscope to vaporize carbon and possibly other particles located on alveoli within a lung of a living mammal.