Abstract: A blast attenuation device (100, 1100) for a gun tube (10). The blast attenuation device (100, 1100) has a first wall section (102, 1102) which defines a first chamber (104, 1104), which extends from an inlet end (106, 1106) having an inlet aperture (108, 1108) to an outlet end (110, 1100) having an outlet aperture (112, 1112). The blast attenuation device (100, 1100) also has a second wall section (122, 1122) which defines a second chamber (124, 1124), which extends from an inlet end (126, 1126) having an inlet aperture (128, 1128) to an outlet end (130, 1130) having an outlet aperture (132, 1132).

Abstract: A muzzle brake (20) for a gun tube (12) defining a bore (40) centred on a longitudinal axis (32). The muzzle brake (20) comprises a top plate (24) and a bottom plate (26). A first wall section (100), a second wall section (200) and a third wall section (300) extend from the top plate (24) to the bottom plate (26).The second wall section (200) extends from the first wall section (100) to a first baffle (220). The third wall section (300) extends from the second wall section (200) to a second baffle (320). The second wall section (200), top plate (24) and bottom plate (26) converge towards the longitudinal axis (32) and the first baffle (220), such that the second wall section (200), top plate (24), bottom plate (26) and first baffle (220) define a first compression cone (224).

Abstract: A muzzle brake (20) for a gun tube (12) defining a bore (40) centred on a longitudinal axis (32). The muzzle brake (20) comprises a top plate (24) and a bottom plate (26). A first wall section (100), a second wall section (200) and a third wall section (300) extend from the top plate (24) to the bottom plate (26).The second wall section (200) extends from the first wall section (100) to a first baffle (220). The third wall section (300) extends from the second wall section (200) to a second baffle (320). The second wall section (200), top plate (24) and bottom plate (26) converge towards the longitudinal axis (32) and the first baffle (220), such that the second wall section (200), top plate (24), bottom plate (26) and first baffle (220) define a first compression cone (224).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound device for use in implementing therapeutic treatments and transdermal analyte delivery. The device includes a piezoelectric transducer that efficiently and safely converts electrical energy to ultrasonic waves, and has a unique structure including a piezoelectric element positioned between two opposing, flexible concave covers. The device may be used for various therapeutic purposes including wound healing, tissue stimulation and transdermal analyte delivery. The invention is further directed to a novel analyte delivery system including the ultrasound device and an encapsulated analyte.

Abstract: The fiber optic probe detects changes in ultrasound pressure in an immersion medium such as a liquid, a gas, or a solid, where the system includes an optical fiber probe having a fiber of the probe has a highly doped (or regular) core with a diameter in the range 5 to 10 ?m and a clad diameter equal to or more than 50 ?m; and the optical fiber tip has been modified in a D-shaped (or V-shaped) structure where the clad material has been removed from one side of the cylindrical fiber to the surface of the fiber core; then, this modified region of the fiber is coated, with a very thin layer of a metallic material, ranging from 3 to 10 nm.

Abstract: The fiber optic probe detects changes in ultrasound pressure in an immersion medium such as a liquid, a gas, or a solid, where the system includes an optical fiber probe having a fiber of the probe has a highly doped (or regular) core with a diameter in the range 5 to 10 ?m and a clad diameter equal to or more than 50 ?m; and the optical fiber tip has been modified in a D-shaped (or V-shaped) structure where the clad material has been removed from one side of the cylindrical fiber to the surface of the fiber core; then, this modified region of the fiber is coated, with a very thin layer of a metallic material, ranging from 3 to 10 nm.

Abstract: A sensing method is based on using a special fiberoptic probe for detection of acoustic/ultrasound pressure in an immersion medium. The developed system is highly sensitive in detecting ultrasound waves up to 100 MHz, for imaging of micro structures and more. For applications up to 100 MHz, without spatial averaging corrections, the probe tip is modified by reducing the fiber diameter to 7 um or less. Also, to maximize acousto-optic interaction, the probe tip, not just its end face, may be coated with a thin layer of metallic material. This thin film coating satisfies partial transparency of the metallic coating. The coating thickness may range from 2 nm to 10 nm or others depending on the type of the coating material. The probe detects the pressure of acoustic and/or ultrasound waves propagating within an immersion medium, whenever the probe tip is immersed inside the medium, and having a reasonable immersion contact surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 ?m; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 ?m at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.

Abstract: A sensing method is based on using a special fiberoptic probe for detection of acoustic/ultrasound pressure in an immersion medium. The developed system is highly sensitive in detecting ultrasound waves up to 100 MHz, for imaging of micro structures and more. For applications up to 100 MHz, without spatial averaging corrections, the probe tip is modified by reducing the fiber diameter to 7 um or less. Also, to maximize acousto-optic interaction, the probe tip, not just its end face, may be coated with a thin layer of metallic material. This thin film coating satisfies partial transparency of the metallic coating. The coating thickness may range from 2 nm to 10 nm or others depending on the type of the coating material. The probe detects the pressure of acoustic and/or ultrasound waves propagating within an immersion medium, whenever the probe tip is immersed inside the medium, and having a reasonable immersion contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound device for use in implementing therapeutic treatments and transdermal analyte delivery. The device includes a piezoelectric transducer that efficiently and safely converts electrical energy to ultrasonic waves, and has a unique structure including a piezoelectric element positioned between two opposing, flexible concave covers. The device may be used for various therapeutic purposes including wound healing, tissue stimulation and transdermal analyte delivery. The invention is further directed to a novel analyte delivery system including the ultrasound device and an encapsulated analyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 ?m; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 ?m at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 ?m; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 ?m at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices including a plurality of voids that enhance visualization of the devices in a patient using ultrasound imaging. The sizes of the voids can vary to accommodate ultrasound devices having different ultrasound wave frequencies. The present invention is also directed to a method for using ultrasound imaging technology to detect the location of devices comprising a plurality of voids in a patient. An ultrasound device, such as a wireless, portable ultrasound device, may be used to propagate ultrasound waves towards the patient where the device is inserted. An ultrasound imaging device may then be used to generate an image of the device or a portion thereof from which the location of the device in the patient can be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 ?m; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 ?m at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.

Abstract: A device for providing extracorporeal cardiac pacing. The device includes an ultrasound transducer mountable to the external thorax of a patient and an ultrasound generator for transmitting ultrasound pulses to the ultrasound transducer. The heart rate of a patient is monitored by the device. A controller evaluates the heartbeat as compared with threshold criteria for stimulation of the heart and causes the ultrasound generator to deliver ultrasound pulses to the ultrasound transducer at a prescribed intensity, frequency, and pulse duration.

Abstract: An acoustic catheter reduces transmission losses and unwanted heating of the transmission member by driving the catheter a rotary motor. The catheter includes an elongated body and a shaft extending longitudinally therethrough. The shaft is adapted for coupling to a rotary motor. A rotary-to-axial motion converter is coupled to the shaft at distal end of the catheter, for converting rotary shaft motion into axial acoustic motion. In one embodiment, the rotary-to-axial motion converter includes a swash plate driven by the shaft. The swash plate defines a surface which, at an angularly fixed reference point, moves axially in response to the rotary motion of the swash plate. A follower bears on the swash plate, for moving axially in response to axial motion of the follower. The follower includes a projection bearing on the swash plate and a spring urging the follower toward the swash plate. In one embodiment, the swash plate has a sinusoidal surface, while another embodiment has notches cut into the surface.

Abstract: Novel intravascular, ultrasonic imaging catheters are provided which utilize thin layers of a flexible plastic material, such as PVDF, which can be spot polarized in active regions which are to serve as piezoelectric transducers. Thin layer metallic electrodes are deposited on opposing surfaces of these active regions. Strips of the appropriately configured material also having shielding and backing and/or core forming portions are spiral wound into a completed catheter. Alternatively, the catheters are fabricated from extruded PVDF tubing which may be formed around a central core which carries those electrodes which are to contact the inner surface of the extruded tube.

Abstract: Novel intravascular, ultrasonic imaging catheters are provided which utilize thin layers of a flexible plastic material, such as PVDF, which can be spot polarized in active regions which are to serve as piezoelectric transducers. Thin layer metallic electrodes are deposited on opposing surfaces of these active regions. Strips of the appropriately configured material also having shielding and backing and/or core forming portions are spiral wound into a completed catheter. Alternatively, the catheters are fabricated from extruded PVDF tubing which may be formed around a central core which carries those electrodes which are to contact the inner surface of the extruded tube.