Abstract: A method, apparatus, and set of compositions are disclosed for calibrating a bio-photonic scanner. The scanner detects selected molecular structures of tissues, nondestructively, in vivo. The apparatus may include a computer, including processor and memory connecting to the scanner, including an illuminator to direct light nondestructively onto tissue in vivo, a detector to detect an intensity of a radiant response of the tissue to the light, and a probe to direct light onto the subject and receive a radiant response back into the detector. The apparatus is calibrated using a synthetic material to mimic the radiant response of live tissue, correcting for background fluorescence and elastic scattering. Dopants in a matrix of synthetic material mimic selected molecular structures of tissue. Matrix materials include a dilatant compound, and dopants include biological materials as well as K-type polarizing film powdered and mixed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and set of compositions are disclosed for calibrating a bio-photonic scanner. The scanner detects selected molecular structures of tissues, nondestructively, in vivo. The apparatus may include a computer, including processor and memory connecting to the scanner, including an illuminator to direct light nondestructively onto tissue in vivo, a detector to detect an intensity of a radiant response of the tissue to the light, and a probe to direct light onto the subject and receive a radiant response back into the detector. The apparatus is calibrated using a synthetic material to mimic the radiant response of live tissue, correcting for background fluorescence and elastic scattering. Dopants in a matrix of synthetic material mimic selected molecular structures of tissue. Matrix materials include a dilatant compound, and dopants include biological materials as well as K-type polarizing film powdered and mixed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive pattern, such as an antenna, on one side of a substrate, and a chip, such as part of a strap, electrically coupled to the conductive pattern, and either on an opposite side of the substrate or on the same side of the substrate as the antenna. A method of fabricating the RFID device may include crimping the strap onto the substrate, in contact with a seed layer, which is subsequently used in forming the antenna or other conductive pattern by plating. The seed layer may be a patterned conductive ink layer. Alternatively, the seed layer may be a layer of conductive material deposited on the substrate, such as by vacuum deposition. Parts of the deposited layer may be covered with a patterned mask in order to form the desired configuration of the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RIFD) inlay includes an electrical connection between a chip and an antenna. The electrical connection includes conductive interposer leads and a capacitive connection. The capacitive connection may involve putting the antenna and the interposer leads into close proximity, with dielectric pads therebetween, to allow capacitive coupling between the antenna and the interposer leads. The dielectric pads may include a non-conductive adhesive and a high dielectric material, such as a titanium oxide. The connections provide a convenient, fast, and effective way to operatively couple antennas and interposers.

Abstract: Amusement device communication system includes a communication link, a first amusement device and a second amusement device. The communication link has a communication medium and a power line communication subsystem. The first amusement device has a video touchscreen, and the second amusement device has a controller and a memory. The second amusement device is coupled to the first amusement device by the communication link, and the first amusement device communicates with the second amusement device using the communication medium. The power line communication sub-system includes a local power grid and first and second power line adapters. The local power grid is configured to supply electrical power to local devices. The first power line adapter is coupled between the first amusement device and the local power grid. The first adapter superimposes communication signals onto the local power grid and decodes superimposed communication signals from the local power grid.

Abstract: A wound drain comprises an elongated drain portion, a suction tubing, and a connector. The drain portion includes a plurality of longitudinal lumens, and the exterior wall of the drain portion includes slots, holes, or the like for placing at least one of the longitudinal lumens in communication with the ambient surrounding the drain portion. The connector connects a first end of the drain portion to a first end of the suction tubing such that at least one of the longitudinal lumens of the drain portion is placed in fluid communication with the lumen of the suction tubing. The connector exhibits increased radial strength in comparison to the drain portion and the suction tubing. In one embodiment the connector is approximately one-third the length of the elongated drain portion.

Abstract: A device to measure the relative location in three dimensional space of anatomical structures by injecting a beam of light into an optical imaging device and projecting the beams of light onto the object being imaged. By virtue of the change in the image of the light beam, as a function of changes in the position and/or direction of the injected beam, and knowing the optical transfer function of the imaging device, the position of the anatomical structure can easily be calculated.

Abstract: A vibrometer which detects the variation of the speckle interference pattern of reflected waves as a means of determining the amplitude and frequency of vibrations of structures, including small anatomical structures. A wave source such as a laser delivers wave radiation to the object whose vibration is to be measured. The diffuse reflectance from the textural surface of the object reflects the incident wave radiation as a speckle interference pattern which is detected by a detector, such as a photodetector. The wave radiation source may be a continuous-wave laser, and the photodetector detector may be a phototransistor connected to a wide-bandwidth amplifier. As the object vibrates, the speckle interference pattern moves. The variation in the speckle interference pattern across the detector carries amplitude and frequency information regarding the vibrating object.

Abstract: A label for an electrochemical cell with a condition tester for the cell integrated with the label to form a label/tester composite is disclosed. The label/tester composite has a thermochromic material in thermal contact with an electrically conductive material. A substructure containing a cured conductive material and preferably also a thermochromic material is formed on a releasable web and transferred from the releasable web to the inside surface of the heat shrinkable base film. A partition coating may be applied over the transferred conductive material. Preferably, a sheet of paper or plastic film having a large window opening therein for entrapping air is applied over the partition coating and aligned over the heat generating portion of the conductive material. The label/tester composite is applied to the cell housing with the insulating paper or plastic film with window opening against the cell housing.

Abstract: A label for an electrochemical cell with a condition tester for the cell integrated with the label to form a label/tester composite is disclosed. The label/tester composite has a thermochromic material in thermal contact with an electrically conductive material. A substructure containing a cured conductive material and preferably also a thermochromic material is formed on a releasable web and transferred from the releasable web to the inside surface of the heat shrinkable base film. A partition coating may be applied over the transferred conductive material. Preferably, a sheet of paper or plastic film having a large window opening therein for entrapping air is applied over the partition coating and aligned over the heat generating portion of the conductive material. The label/tester composite is applied to the cell housing with the insulating paper or plastic film with window opening against the cell housing.