Abstract: A diabetes management system, an infusion pump, and methods for managing a blood glucose level of a diabetes patient. The infusion pump includes a processor for monitoring an amount of insulin delivered to a patient and an internal database in communication with the processor. The internal database is for storing food information. The diabetes management system includes a blood glucose monitor, a food database, and an infusion pump for delivering insulin to a patient. The food database comprises one or more records of information on various foods. The infusion pump of the diabetes management system includes (i) a processor for monitoring an amount of insulin delivered to the patient and (ii) a second database. The second database is for receiving at least a portion of the information from the food database.

Abstract: A diabetes management system and method used to manage the blood glucose level of a diabetes patient. The system includes at least one portable electronic device and a database system. The portable electronic device allows the patient to input different types of data into the processor to calculate insulin and carbohydrate intake recommendations for the patient. A time/date stamp is individually generated and stored for each type of data inputted by the patient. The diabetes management system also includes a database system which stores (i) activity data associated with the physical activity of the patient, (ii) blood glucose data associated with the blood glucose level of the patient, (iii) meal intake data associated with the food intake of the patient, and (iv) insulin intake data associated with the insulin intake of the patient.

Abstract: A diabetes management system and method used to manage the blood glucose level of a diabetes patient. The system includes at least one portable electronic device and a database system. The portable electronic device allows the patient to input different types of data into the processor to calculate insulin and carbohydrate intake recommendations for the patient. A time/date stamp is individually generated and stored for each type of data inputted by the patient. The diabetes management system also includes a database system which stores (i) activity data associated with the physical activity of the patient, (ii) blood glucose data associated with the blood glucose level of the patient, (iii) meal intake data associated with the food intake of the patient, and (iv) insulin intake data associated with the insulin intake of the patient.

Abstract: A laser transponder and method for disabling a laser-based speed monitor of the type that transmits a monitor laser beam at a moving motor vehicle. The monitor laser beam transmitted by the speed monitor is detected when it arrives at the motor vehicle. In response to detecting the monitor laser beam, a warning is output to the motor vehicle driver and a jamming laser beam is transmitted toward the speed monitor. The jamming laser beam includes a plurality of pulses separated from each other by a time period that is less than or equal to an amount of time needed for the monitor laser beam to travel from the speed monitor to the motor vehicle and back to the speed monitor. The jamming laser beam disables the speed monitor for a time period sufficient to allow the motor vehicle driver to reduce the speed of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A disabling system for disabling a laser-based speed monitor of the type that transmits a monitor laser beam at a moving motor vehicle. The monitor laser beam transmitted by the speed monitor is detected when it arrives at the motor vehicle. In response to detecting the monitor laser beam, a warning is output by an annunciator to the motor vehicle driver and a jamming laser beam is transmitted toward the speed monitor. The jamming laser beam disables the speed monitor for a time period sufficient to allow the motor vehicle driver to reduce the speed of the motor vehicle. The jamming laser beam is transmitted by a laser transponder structured to be powered only by the vehicle battery. Plural laser transponders are coupled to a single annunciator to provide plural points of speed monitor detection and jamming without requiring plural annunciators.

Abstract: A laser transponder for disabling a laser-based speed monitor of the type that transmits a monitor laser beam at a moving motor vehicle. In response to detecting the monitor laser beam, a warning is output to the motor vehicle driver and a jamming laser beam is transmitted toward the speed monitor. The jamming laser beam disables the speed monitor for a time period sufficient to allow the motor vehicle driver to reduce the speed of the motor vehicle. The laser transponder includes a housing that acts as both a heat sink for the laser transmitter in the laser transponder and a structural package that is waterproof and sufficiently rugged to be positioned on the outside of the motor vehicle. The laser transponder is securely attached to the motor vehicle by a connection system that enables a user to adjust the angular orientation of the laser transponder as necessary to detect the monitor laser beam and transmit the jamming laser beam to the speed monitor.

Abstract: A laser scanner having first and second scanning mirrors and a correction circuit that removes distortions caused by interaction between the scanning mirrors. Preferably, the first scanner mirror is an off-axis mirror that is positioned to produce a single, substantially invariant pupil on the second scanning mirror. Preferably the scanner uses a reflective beam expander to magnify an input laser beam received from a laser source. Preferably, the reflective beam expander is implemented using two spherical mirrors positioned to form the input laser beam into a Z-folded beam path. The folded beam path increases the distance between the laser source and the focusing lens, which results in a clear focused spot and does so using spherical mirrors which are much less expensive than the infrared lenses used in the prior art. The reflective beam expander is also wavelength insensitive.

Abstract: A compact drive system drives an RF-excited gas laser to produce laser energy. The drive system is implemented on a ceramic circuit board having a high dielectric constant. The drive system includes an RF energy source that produces RF energy that is transmitted by a quarter-wave transmission line to the plasma tube of the laser. The transmission line is a microstrip transmission line having a conductive strip and a conductive ground plane bonded to opposite sides of the ceramic circuit board. Such a microstrip transmission line enables the entire drive system to be implemented on the ceramic circuit board. The drive system includes a feedback path to the input of the RF energy source transistor, which enables the drive system to be self-oscillating in that the frequency of the RF energy produced is maintained equal to the resonant frequency of the laser.

Abstract: A micro gas laser that provides a very high power to size or weight ratio by including a laser array featuring common optics and common discharge structures. The gas laser includes a laser housing enclosing a supply of laser gas and elongated first and second electrodes. The electrodes are parallel to each other and form a rectangular discharge section between them. Two elongated bore separators extend between the first and second electrodes to divide the discharge section into the three elongated resonator cavities. The bore separators are thin ceramic wafers that electrically isolate the resonator cavities from each other, but retain sufficient thermal conductivity to provide efficient diffusion cooling. The gas laser includes means to apply an electric field between the electrodes sufficient to create a laser beam in each of the three resonator cavities.

Abstract: A pocket size laser power meter adapted to measure the power of laser energy emitted by a laser. The power meter includes a thermal mass adapted to receive the laser energy. A temperature sensor coupled to the thermal mass translates temperature changes in the thermal mass into an electrical sensor signal having a variable voltage. A differentiator coupled to the temperature sensor receives the electrical sensor signal and produces a differentiated signal indicative of the rate of change of voltage of the electrical sensor signal. A cooling rate holding circuit coupled to the differentiator receives a cooling portion of the differentiated signal indicating a lowering of the temperature of the thermal mass. A heating rate holding circuit coupled to the differentiator receives a heating portion of the differentiated signal indicating a raising of the temperature of the thermal mass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engraving a metal plate in two or more colors. Selected areas of an oxidized aluminum plate are colored by a first dye to which the plate has an affinity. The selected areas may then be sealed by hydration. Portions of the selected areas of the colored oxidized aluminum plate can then be further engraved by the application of a focussed laser beam, which removes any of the first dye and the sealant, thereby restoring the affinity of the selected portions of the plate. The areas of the plate having an affinity for dyes can be colored by secondary and additional colors and shades thereof.

Abstract: An improved sealed-off RF-excited gas laser and method for its manufacture. The resonator section of the laser consists of four optically reflecting longitudinal walls which define the laser bore and plasma section. A concave mirror is mounted on one end of the resonator and a flat or concave output coupler is mounted at the other end. The laser resonator operates in a non-waveguide non-free space mode utilizing wall reflections. Artifacts are introduced at the optically reflecting walls to define a stable oscillatory axis and mode structure by favoring the establishment of stable reflection points along the length of the walls. These artifacts are created by carefully defined bends and tapers in some of the walls to create high mode purity, stability and relatively uncritical optical alignments.

Abstract: A system for improved drive and matching between an RF power source and a plasma tube in a laser system. The system uses standard 50 or 75 ohm quarter wave transmission lines as the sole interconnect and matching elements between discharge electrodes and drive transistors. The drive transistos may be operated in deep saturation or as switches providing near square wave output to approach the 100 percent theoretical electrical efficiency of switching power supplies. The system features better initial breakdown, bettwer discharge uniformity and power stability under narrow drive pulse conditions, lower matching electrical losses, and extreme simplicity and low cost.

Abstract: An electrically self-oscillating radio frequency-excited gas laser. The discharge section of the laser resonates at a desired radio frequency as a result of incorporating the discharge section into the feedback loop of a power oscillator circuit. This laser structure facilitates initial plasma breakdown and adapts its frequency depending upon whether the gas in the discharge section has broken down. When the laser plasma tube is integrated with the oscillator, the laser is also somewhat smaller compared to gas lasers having conventional crystal-controlled amplifier chains.

Abstract: A hollow lightpipe for conducting high power levels of CO.sub.2 laser light with low transmission losses. A highly reflective layer is formed on the inner surface of an elongated bendable metal housing. The material forming the highly reflective layer is chosen to have a complex index of refraction whose real part (n) is less than about 0.4. The thickness of the reflective layer need not be highly controlled, but must be sufficiently thick that it exhibits bulk absorption properties without being so thick that it cracks when the lightpipe is flexed. In a second embodiment, the transmission properties of the highly reflective layer can be enhanced by coating the reflective layer with a thin film of a dielectric materials such as ThF.sub.4 and Ge.

Abstract: All-metal, RF-excited gas lasers employing organic or inorganic insulating material including polyimide and aluminum oxide to provide a structurally homogeneous laser capable of low-cost fabrication and broad temperature ranges suitable for military and commercial applications. A particularly novel embodiment employs an extruded housing and electrodes and relies almost solely upon gas conduction and gas convection cooling, obviating compression heat sinking. The latter embodiment can permit gas flow between the laser cavity and tube gas chambers through elongated gaps or spaces at the corners of the cavity. Insulators support the electrodes in a few places and facilitate simple, low-cost assembly. The latter geometry is also well adapted for use in folded configurations featuring multiple lasing sections and a common discharge electrode.

Abstract: An optical scanner, directly compatible with television imaging or displaying, comprises a unique polygon azimuth mirror scanner which obviates the prior art requirement for atmospheric evacuation and a unique optical system between the azimuth scanner and detector array which permits selected optical modification of detector geometry. The azimuth scanner is designed to be of limited dimensions and is housed in a vented housing within minimal clearance to produce a self-pumping effect which is sufficient to overcome the reduced atmospheric drag. The scanner/detector optical system provides a detector image plane within an optical relay, where in a disclosed embodiment one or two flat refractor plates, oriented at different angles relative to the optical axis, effectively convert a standard linear array into a two-offset array.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.In one embodiment the invention consists of a longitudinally excited RF waveguide laser in which the spacing geometry of the electrodes is variable independently of the waveguide chamber geometry resulting in increased performance efficiency. In addition, hot spot problems are eliminated or substantially reduced by capacitive ballasting achieved through novel structural configurations including electrodes that are isolated from the waveguide chamber by means of a suitable dielectric spacing medium such as ceramic or aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a sealed-off RF excited CO.sub.2 laser with a longer operating life. The invention, which relates to the method and the resulting laser, comprises means for stabilizing the laser gas chemistry otherwise affected by CO.sub.2 dissociation, O.sub.2 consumption, and outgassing of H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. More specifically, the aluminum housing of the laser assembly is nickel-plated and then passivated by an oxidation technique using concentrated nitric acid. In addition, novel gettering substances, comprising either a group B metal or cellulose, are employed to adsorb hydrogen and/or water vapor to alleviate the outgassing problem.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.