Abstract: Novel phantoms are provided herein that can accurately mimic the optical and/or acoustic properties of living tissue. The disclosed phantoms are constructed of one or more polyvinyl chloride plastisol (PVCP) gels comprising a PVC and a binary plasticizer. The phantoms can be used, for example, to calibrate or test an optical and/or acoustic detection system, such as a photoacoustic imaging system or an ultrasound imaging system.

Abstract: Novel phantoms are provided herein that can accurately mimic the optical and/or acoustic properties of living tissue. The disclosed phantoms are constructed of one or more polyvinyl chloride plastisol (PVCP) gels comprising a PVC and a binary plasticizer. The phantoms can be used, for example, to calibrate or test an optical and/or acoustic detection system, such as a photoacoustic imaging system or an ultrasound imaging system.

Abstract: Methods for producing furfural-4-boronic acid by the reaction of furfural acetals (I), which are substituted by halogen in position 4, with boronic acid esters or anhydrides, by the subsequent metalation of compound (I) and the simultaneous or subsequent reaction with a boronic acid ester or anhydride to form an acetal-protected furfural-4-boronic acid ester. This product is subjected to acid hydrolysis to form furfural-4-boronic acid. In the formulae: X represents chlorine, bromine or iodine; R represents a branched, unbranched and/or cyclic, optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C12 aryl group or an optionally substituted C3-C8 cycloalkyl group, the two groups R together can form a ring; R?, R?, R?? independently of one another represent acylic or cyclic, branched or unbranched, optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl groups, or optionally substituted aryl groups, optionally two of the groups R?, R? and R?? together form a ring, or represent additional groups B(OR)3.

Abstract: A length of tubular material of unitary construction is formed into the approximate shape of a human dental arch for use as an orthodontic arch wire. The tubular material is composed of a super-elastic nickel titanium alloy which may also have shape memory. The cross-sectional shape of the arch wire tube can be round, oval, square, or rectangular. The preferred thickness of the tube is preferably 20 percent of its outside diameter and the tube may be perforated to alter its performance.

Abstract: An alarm system sensor (10) monitoring movement of an object (D) and placing the system into alarm when the object moves more than a predetermined distance from a predetermined position. First and second reed switches (16, 18) are located in a predetermined orientation relative to each other and in tandem to the object. Bias magnets (24, 26) are used with the reed switches. A magnet (20) is movable with the object and produces a force simultaneously sensed by both reed switches. This force maintains both reed switches in a state keeping the alarm system in a non-alarm condition so long as the object substantially remains in its predetermined position. The object, when it moves, moves toward one of the reed switches and away from the other reed switch. Movement of the object more than the predetermined distance results in the force sensed by one of the reed switches increasing and the force sensed by the other reed switch decreasing.

Abstract: A length of tubular material of unitary construction is formed into the approximate shape of a human dental arch for use as an orthodontic arch wire. The tubular material is composed of a super-elastic nickel titanium alloy which may also have shape memory. The cross-sectional shape of the arch wire tube can be round, oval, square, or rectangular. The preferred thickness of the tube is preferably 20 percent of its outside diameter and the tube may be perforated to alter its performance.

Abstract: A sensor alignment tool (10) for use in the installation of sensors (S), particularly a pair of sensors such as are used in a security system or the like. Once a proper location for the sensors is identified, a mounting base (12a-12d) for one of the sensors is located adjacent a surface where the sensors are to be installed. The tool is then employed with two sets (16, 20) of adjustment rods (18, 22) to properly locate and align the sensor mounting base for the other sensor. Tolerant mounting washers are used to mount both bases to the surfaces to which they are to be attached. Once the mounting bases are properly aligned, the tool is removed and the sensors installed in their respective mounting bases.

Abstract: A confocal microscope including a first light source for emitting an incoming light beam with which a sample to be observed is irradiated; a scan engine dimensioned and configured to scan the incoming light beam prior to its irradiating the sample, thereby generating a scanned incoming light beam; a second light source for emitting an excitation light beam with which the sample is radiated; and a polarizing beam-combining cube and/or dichroic mirror for combining the scanned incoming light beam and the excitation light beam is disclosed.

Abstract: An orthodontic interarch device includes a recurve bend located adjacent a shepherd's hook or loop-type attachment that makes the anterior end of the device rotate downwardly rather than upwardly when force is applied. As the person's jaws move, a cam action against the archwire is produced that does not allow the hook or loop attachment end of the device to move above the horizontal plane of the bite as the connection rotates. The recurve bend should be a minimum of 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the interarch device in the backward direction. As the degree of this backward curvature approaches 210 degrees, the recurve bend further positions a hook attachment pivot point below axis of the body of the interarch device in the vertical plane. This further prevents the appliance from rotating into the bite.

Abstract: An orthodontic interarch device includes a recurve bend located adjacent a shepherd's hook or loop-type attachment that makes the anterior end of the device rotate downwardly rather than upwardly when force is applied. As the person's jaws move, a cam action against the archwire is produced that does not allow the hook or loop attachment end of the device to move above the horizontal plane of the bite as the connection rotates. The recurve bend should be a minimum of 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the interarch device in the backward direction. As the degree of this backward curvature approaches 210 degrees, the recurve bend further positions a hook attachment pivot point below axis of the body of the interarch device in the vertical plane. This further prevents the appliance from rotating into the bite.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for moving the upper teeth relative to lower teeth in either a backward or a forward direction contains a resilient body coupled to at least one rotating end portion that allows the device to spin freely. Since the ends of the device spin freely, the stress of twisting on the flexible portion will be eliminated thus reducing breakage. Furthermore, the need for a different right and left device is eliminated. In addition, the end portion may also be telescoping in order to make the device expandable, thus allowing the patient to open his/her mouth more fully which results in the additional benefit of less appliance breakage. Also, because the device is expandable, the flexible portion can be made one size that will result in a more consistent force output and reduce the number of parts needed to manufacture the appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic spring is comprised of a wave spring made of shape memory alloy that consists of a wire tightly looped, once or many times back on itself, side-to-side in figure "8"fashion. After winding, the spring is heat treated into this position. In its relaxed state, the bends of the spring form peaks and valleys which lie in parallel planes at an angle to the line of force between attachment loops at opposite end points of the spring. Portions of the wire between successive peaks and valleys overlap other portions between other peaks and valleys when the wire is relaxed. When extended, the elements of the spring lie in a longitudinal plane along its line of force. The spring is particularly suited to attachment between closely spaced points, such as brackets affixed to adjacent teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance having improved devices for interconnecting the braces associated with a patient's upper and lower teeth. Each connecting device generally takes the form of a unitary, thin band of material that can be connected between the braces associated with the patient's upper and lower teeth to achieve the forces that are desired for a particular treatment. The connecting device generally includes a body having integral end portions that are preferably rounded for purposes of comfort. Each end portion includes an attachment for connection to the braces associated with the patient's teeth. Preferably, at least one of the attachments of each connecting device is keyed so that upon its connection to the braces, swivelling of the connecting device is effectively precluded without compromising desired movements of the connecting device relative to the orthodontic appliance and the patient's mouth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bite jumping device includes a metal cylinder for receiving a telescoping plunger, for attachment to and between the orthodontic braces fixed to a patient's upper and lower teeth to achieve desired movement in otherwise conventional fashion. This appliance is at each end provided with connectors which slidingly interact with the orthodontic braces. A spring is attached between the cylinder and the plunger in a manner which causes the application of relatively consistent pushing forces to the teeth, to achieve desired tooth and jaw movements while buffering the relatively heavy forces that are produced so as not to cause damage to the orthodontic braces or to the appliances which interconnect them. Such forces are applied to and between the orthodontic braces in a substantially horizontal direction, avoiding the application of major forces in a vertical direction as was characteristic of prior bite jumping devices.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance having improved devices for interconnecting the braces associated with a patient's upper and lower teeth. Each connecting device generally takes the form of a unitary, thin band of material that can be connected between the braces associated with the patient's upper and lower teeth to achieve the forces that are desired for a particular treatment. The connecting device has a body that is substantially flat and rectangular, with bent end portions that are preferably rounded for purposes of comfort. Each end portion includes an aperture for attachment to the braces associated with the patient's teeth. Preferably, at least one of the apertures of each connecting device is keyed so that upon its attachment to the braces, swivelling of the connecting device is effectively precluded without compromising desired movements of the connecting device relative to the orthodontic appliance and the patient's mouth.

Abstract: An improvement in a plasma flame spraying apparatus, particularly one in which at least two gases form the plasma, which improvement comprises means associated with the plasma gas inlet, said means being time related to an increase in the current through the arc maintained in the plasma flame spray gun, said current and said means associated with the plasma gas inlet each independently being associated with a timing means whereby the full flow of a secondary gas through the nozzle of the gun and the electric arc established therein is substantially simultaneous with an establishment of a full current level through the electric arc through which said secondary gas passes; a fully automatic ignition system for a plasma gas flame spraying process whereby establishment of an optimum gas mixture for normal operation is time coordinated with respect to start-up of the current passing in the circuit of the electric arc in the gun, such that the current rise and rise of secondary gas flow through the gun occur within

Abstract: A method for extracting antimony from solids containing antimony sulfides is described. An improvement in the method of extracting antimony by oxidation of an aqueous mixture of the solids in an acid or by oxidation of a leaching liquor obtained by leaching the antimony from the solids with an aqueous basic solution comprises conducting the oxidation in the presence of a catalyst comprising a water-soluble copper salt, a quinone, a hydroquinone or mixtures of one or more of these. The catalyst significantly increases the rate of oxidation and the rate of the recovery of the antimony from antimony sulfide bearing solids, particularly natural ores. Where the oxidation is conducted in a basic solution, the antimony is recovered as pentavalent antimony in the form of metal antimonates. Facile reduction of the metal antimonate to antimony trioxide also is described.

Abstract: A coherent, weak agglomerated dustless solid particulate mass is formed from a mixture of discrete particles in the size range from less than about 1 micron to about 2,000 microns, and fibrillatable polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as PTFE) in an amount from about 0.02, but less than 1 percent and preferably less than 0.75 percent by weight based on total solids, by working the mixture in a dry or relatively dry state with a working action in an unconfined zone at a temperature in excess of 20.degree. C., but below the sintering temperature of PTFE or a temperature deleterious to said particles, whichever is lower, without changing the primary particle size range of the material.

Abstract: A plasma flame-spraying apparatus, having a source of primary gas and a source of a secondary plasma gas, is provided with means for insuring that when the secondary gas in passed through the electric arc established in the flame-spraying apparatus, which secondary gas flow causes an increase in the voltage in the current of the circuit containing the arc, the current is suitably adjusted. The apparatus includes means for insuring that the ignition of the arc is established by pressing a single switch. There is also provided a closed loop system of determining the voltage changes in the arc circuit and for compensatingly regulating the current at a fixed plasma gas flow-through rate and composition to maintain a desired balance between current and secondary gas flow. Various automatic means are provided for insuring against excessive constriction of the confined electric arc within the nozzle of the apparatus or parts associated therewith.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preventing segregation of particles within a finely divided powder having disparate particle size ranges, compositions or densities. The method includes working the powder with a minute amount, preferably less than about 1% by weight of the powder, of a finely divided fibrillatable polytetrafluoroethylene resin (hereinafter referred to as PTFE) to form a mixture with the powder. The PTFE resin may be added to the powder as a colloidal aqueous dispersion or as a fine powder obtained by coagulation of the colloidal dispersion. Whichever form is used, the PTFE is intimately mixed with the finely divided powder to form a dry mixture. Alternatively, the PTFE resin may be blended with the powder in a wet treatment to facilitate the homogenous dispersion of the resin. In any event, the mixture of resin and powder is worked either in the wet state, preferably as a paste, or as a dry blend, using a masticating or kneading action to fibrillate the PTFE.