Abstract: A sensor device can be mounted on a pivotable door of a domestic refrigeration appliance. The sensor device includes an inertial sensor for supplying a motion signal as well as a processing device configured to determine a pivoting angle of the pivotable door on the basis of the motion signal and to output a signal when the pivoting angle has reached a predetermined threshold value. A household refrigeration appliance having a sensor device is also provided.

Abstract: An inventive drug delivery system includes a reservoir that holds a drug to be administered. A drug applicator injects or infuses the drug, and a pump generates a flow of the drug from the reservoir to the drug applicator. A control system has a pressure sensor that measures pressure signals indicative of resistance against the flow of the drug and a processor is in communication with the pressure sensor. The control system detects with the pressure sensor a pressure signal indicative of the resistance against the flow of the drug while the drug is being administered and compares the measured pressure signal to a reference value. The control system also generates display data and provides it to an output device when the measured pressure signal exceeds the reference value. The display data includes a scheduled test reminder for a glucose level test that is communicated to an output device.

Abstract: A method for detecting tampering in a vehicle includes receiving first data of a first type in a central unit; receiving second data of a second type in the central unit, wherein the first type and the second type are different, and the first data and the second data relate to the operation of the vehicle; and checking the first data and the second data for mutual correspondence.

Abstract: An inventive drug delivery system includes a reservoir that holds a drug to be administered. A drug applicator injects or infuses the drug, and a pump generates a flow of the drug from the reservoir to the drug applicator. A control system has a pressure sensor that measures pressure signals indicative of resistance against the flow of the drug and a processor is in communication with the pressure sensor. The control system detects with the pressure sensor a pressure signal indicative of the resistance against the flow of the drug while the drug is being administered and compares the measured pressure signal to a reference value. The control system also generates display data and provides it to an output device when the measured pressure signal exceeds the reference value. The display data includes a scheduled test reminder for a glucose level test that is communicated to an output device.

Abstract: A sensor device can be mounted on a pivotable door of a domestic refrigeration appliance. The sensor device includes an inertial sensor for supplying a motion signal as well as a processing device configured to determine a pivoting angle of the pivotable door on the basis of the motion signal and to output a signal when the pivoting angle has reached a predetermined threshold value. A household refrigeration appliance having a sensor device is also provided.

Abstract: A method and device for photoablation is disclosed wherein photoablation occurs along the interface between a material having a lower energy ablation threshold and a material having a higher energy ablation threshold. The method and device utilize a laser beam having a beam energy density which is less than the higher energy ablation threshold and greater than or equal to the lower energy ablation threshold. By directing such a laser beam to the interface, the material having the lower energy threshold is photoablated while the material having the higher energy threshold is largely unaffected.

Abstract: A system and method for performing laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in corneal tissue of an eye requires calculating a pattern of focal spots. LIOB is then induced at a first focal spot, and is continued at a plurality of interim focal spots within a time period ?. Each focal spot has a diameter “d1” and generates a temporal cavitation bubble of diameter “d2”. It then collapses within time “?” to a substantially stationary diameter “d3”, with (d1?d3?d2). Importantly, each focal spot is located more than “d2” from every other interim focal spot within the time period of “?”. At the time “?”, a second focal spot in the pattern can be generated at a distance “d3” from the first focal spot. This process is then continued with another plurality of interim focal spots being generated within another time period “?”.

Abstract: A method for photodisrupting a preselected subsurface volume of corneal tissue to alter a cornea's refractive properties is disclosed. Specifically, at least one stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface is photodisrupted. For this purpose, a laser device having a laser source, laser scanner and one or more optical elements is typically used. In one embodiment, a plurality of stromal volumes, with each stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface, is sequentially photodisrupted to form a contiguous stromal cavity. In a particular implementation, each conical shaped surface defines a cone axis that is aligned to be co-linear with a reference axis that passes through the anterior surface of the eye and may be aligned orthogonally to the anterior surface of the eye.

Abstract: A device for establishing a desired alignment between a patient's eye and a laser system to facilitate an engagement therebetween includes a light source to illuminate the eye. A moveable platform is provided to move the patient relative to the laser system. To establish alignment between the eye and the laser system, a reference marker is based on the laser system. An image of the marker, along with reflections from the illuminated eye, is then transmitted to the system controller. There, the image and reflections are processed to determine a measured alignment that is then compared to the desired alignment. An error signal that is indicative of an alignment difference is then generated and used to incrementally move the platform, or the patient, in an appropriate direction.

Abstract: A system for producing polychromatic light having selectively shaped wavefronts includes a source for generating light beams of at least two wavelengths (?1, ?2). The beams are made up of a plurality of contiguous sub-beams that establish ?1 and ?2 wavefronts. From the source, the light is directed toward an optical phase shifting device which can include one or more arrays, with each array having a plurality of elements. Functionally, within a particular array, each element is independently adjustable to selectively alter the optical pathlength of a corresponding sub-beam. For light having two wavelengths (?1, ?2), a first array configuration is used to reshape the ?1 wavelength light and a second array configuration is used to reshape the ?2 wavelength light. After wavefront reshaping, the ?1 and ?2 wavelength light is directed onto a common beam path where it can be viewed, imaged or further processed.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for grafting a donor component onto a recipient member. In the method, a void in the recipient member is defined by a boundary with predetermined dimensions. Similarly, the donor component is specified as having a boundary with predetermined dimensions that are substantially compatible with the void. Thereafter, suture paths are created in the donor component and the recipient member. When the donor component has been positioned in the void of the recipient member, the suture paths are aligned. Then, a suture is passed through the suture path and across the respective boundaries to secure the donor component to the recipient member.

Abstract: A device for calibrating a laser beam system includes a calibration member having a surface positioned at a predetermined distance from the base datum of the unit. Further, the system includes a mechanism for focusing the beam to a focal point and for moving the focal point relative to the surface of the calibration member. When the focal point reaches the surface of the calibration member, Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) is induced. Thereafter, the position of the location of LIOB may be measured relative to the base datum to calibrate the laser beam. Further, patterns may be applied to the calibration member using LIOB to calibrate tilt/decenter of the beam and to determine the energy density and uniformity in the focal spot of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method and device for photoablation is disclosed wherein photoablation occurs along the interface between a material having a lower energy ablation threshold and a material having a higher energy ablation threshold. The method and device utilize a laser beam having a beam energy density which is less than the higher energy ablation threshold and greater than or equal to the lower energy ablation threshold. By directing such a laser beam to the interface, the material having the lower energy threshold is photoablated while the material having the higher energy threshold is largely unaffected.

Abstract: A system and method for dissecting a transparent material utilizes pre-dissection diagnostic information about the transparent material. Specifically, in the system and method, a prototypic dissection path is planned to achieve a desired result. Then, the topology of the transparent material is defined and analyzed to calculate a predicted result of a dissection along the prototypic dissection path. After comparing the desired result and the predicted result, a refined dissection path is established in which any difference between the predicted result of a dissection along the refined dissection path and the desired result is minimized. As a result, dissection of the transparent material along the refined dissection path achieves the desired result.

Abstract: A device for establishing a desired alignment between a patient's eye and a laser system to facilitate an engagement therebetween includes a light source to illuminate the eye. A moveable platform is provided to move the patient relative to the laser system. To establish alignment between the eye and the laser system, a reference marker is based on the laser system. An image of the marker, along with reflections from the illuminated eye, is then transmitted to the system controller. There, the image and reflections are processed to determine a measured alignment that is then compared to the desired alignment. An error signal that is indicative of an alignment difference is then generated and used to incrementally move the platform, or the patient, in an appropriate direction.

Abstract: A method for photodisrupting a preselected subsurface volume of corneal tissue to alter a cornea's refractive properties is disclosed. Specifically, at least one stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface is photodisrupted. For this purpose, a laser device having a laser source, laser scanner and one or more optical elements is typically used. In one embodiment, a plurality of stromal volumes, with each stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface, is sequentially photodisrupted to form a contiguous stromal cavity. In a particular implementation, each conical shaped surface defines a cone axis that is aligned to be co-linear with a reference axis that passes through the anterior surface of the eye and may be aligned orthogonally to the anterior surface of the eye.

Abstract: A system and method for performing laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in corneal tissue of an eye requires calculating a pattern of focal spots. LIOB is then induced at a first focal spot, and is continued at a plurality of interim focal spots within a time period ?. Each focal spot has a diameter “d1” and generates a temporal cavitation bubble of diameter “d2”. It then collapses within time “?” to a substantially stationary diameter “d3”, with (d1?d3?d2). Importantly, each focal spot is located more than “d2” from every other interim focal spot within the time period of “?”. At the time “?”, a second focal spot in the pattern can be generated at a distance “d3” from the first focal spot. This process is then continued with another plurality of interim focal spots being generated within another time period “?”.

Abstract: A system for producing polychromatic light having selectively shaped wavefronts includes a source for generating light beams of at least two wavelengths (?1, ?2). The beams are made up of a plurality of contiguous sub-beams that establish ?1 and ?2 wavefronts. From the source, the light is directed toward an optical phase shifting device which can include one or more arrays, with each array having a plurality of elements. Functionally, within a particular array, each element is independently adjustable to selectively alter the optical pathlength of a corresponding sub-beam. For light having two wavelengths (?1, ?2), a first array configuration is used to reshape the ?1 wavelength light and a second array configuration is used to reshape the ?2 wavelength light. After wavefront reshaping, the ?1 and ?2 wavelength light is directed onto a common beam path where it can be viewed, imaged or further processed.

Abstract: A system for performing a corneal transplantation includes a laser source for generating a laser beam and a chair for positioning a patient relative to the laser source. A stabilizing element, engageable with the laser source, is fixated on the anterior surface of the patient's cornea to hold the cornea in alignment with the laser source. The laser source is then used to remove diseased tissue from the cornea of the patient, thereby creating a corneal cavity of known dimensions. In a subsequent step, a donor graft that was previously photoaltered to have substantially the same dimensions as the corneal cavity, is transplanted into the corneal cavity.