Other

Nova Technologies, Inc.

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Charles R Chubb

Lisa C Rottler

Paul C DiMatteo

Barbara Ann Soltz

Dale F Waldo

Richard G Podgornik

James D Cook

Thomas M Pallett

Victor H Nettle

John M Haake

Paul L Di Matteo

Robert Nichols

For good health, exposure to a variety of wavelengths is needed. A balance in the exposure from day to day and throughout the year is necessary. Avoidance of overexposure by having moderation in the exposure is essential to prevent skin cancer and other disorders. The present invention can enhance the probability for good health and reduce the risk of diseases associated with solar radiation exposure and diet for those person with deficient, excess or non-balanced exposure and diet. A key feature of the invention is the use of whole body exposure when possible. This enables the use of very low irradiances for short periods. This results in an overall reduction in the risk of skin cancer. Several techniques are included to increase the UV-B exposure.

Skin light exposure control methods

A method to improve the probability for good health and decrese the risk of cancer and disease comprising: controlling the indoor spectral radiation environment partial body exposure in an amount above 0.06 MED, but not exceeding 0.2 MED per day by irradiating the body with an artificial light source.

Methods and apparatus for measuring the reflectance in a visible spectral wavelength band by visual comparison of a surface viewed through a filter with a set of reference reflectance areas are described. An appropriate filter and reference reflecting areas are useful for estimating skin pigmentation, corresponding skin sun sensivity and sun exposure time tolerance. Tables are included for the solar erythemal radiation environment in different locations for different times of the year for use in determining sunlight exposure time tolerance. Also methods to use skin reflectance data along with local solar ultraviolet index data to determine sunlight exposure tolerance times are included. In addition, methods to ensure sufficient exposure for previtamin D generation are included along with techniques to reduce the risk of skin cancer. The combination of a filter and gray scale for the reflectance measurement results in a low cost device in comparison with other meters and instruments making the device affordable for many persons.

Spectral reflectance scale method and apparatus

In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle roof with adjustable light transmitting sections to control the interior spectral radiation environment, including at least one first section for high ultraviolet transmission; and, at least one second section for high transmission of visible and infrared light while blocking part of the ultraviolet radiation; a frame to hold said first and second sections in place; and means for positioning said sections relative to each other. In another embodiment a third section is provided with differing spectral transmission than said first and second sections is provided together with means for moving said third section relative to said first and second sections.

Vehicle roof for controlling light exposure of the skin

This invention relates to methods and apparatus to control the light exposure of the skin. One objective is to increase the exposure during periods of common deficient exposure such as for dark skin persons on winter days in areas far from the equator. Another objective is to decrease the exposure during periods of common overexposure such as for light skin persons during spring and summer days in bright environments. A novel feature of the invention is the use of lamps for whole body irradiation while showering or bathing during dark seasons. The whole body exposure enables the use of very low irradiance levels to provide an enhanced probability of beneficial effects and to reduce the possibility of harmful effects of the ultraviolet light. Another novel feature is the use of an adjustable ultraviolet light transmitting building window or automobile sunroof to increase the sunlight exposure on cold days when a deficiency in exposure due to closed windows is common. The increase in ultraviolet exposure enables a reduction in intake of possibly harmful excessive dietary vitamin D. Intake of foods containing antioxidants reduces the possibility of harmful effects of additional ultraviolet light. The overall objective is to provide an appropriate day-to-day balanced and moderate light exposure of the skin along with a suitable diet and exercise to increase the probability for good health.

A method to improve the probability for good health and decrease the risk of cancer and disease comprising: controlling the indoor spectral radiation environment partial body exposure in an amount above 0.06 MED, but not exceeding 0.2 MED per day by irradiating the body with an artificial light source.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus to control the light exposure of the skin. One objective is to increase the exposure during periods of common deficient exposure such as for dark skin persons on winter days in areas far from the equator. Another objective is to decrease the exposure during periods of common overexposure such as for light skin persons during spring and summer days in bright environments. A novel feature of the invention is the use of lamps for whole body irradiation while showering or bathing during dark seasons. The whole body exposure enables the use of very low irradiance levels to provide an enhanced probability of beneficial effects and to reduce the possibility of harmful effects of the ultraviolet light Another novel feature is the use of an adjustable ultraviolet light transmitting building window or automobile sunroof to increase the sunlight exposure on cold days when a deficiency in exposure due to closed windows is common. The increase in ultraviolet exposure enables a reduction in intake of possibly harmful excessive dietary vitamin D. Intake of foods containing antioxidants reduces the possibility of harmful effects of additional ultraviolet light. The overall objective is to provide an appropriate day-to-day balanced and moderate light exposure of the skin along with a suitable diet and exercise to increase the probability for good health.

A patient transfer chair is disclosed which can be manually operated preferably by using a lever and spring helping device to assist in the transfer of a patient to and from a bed to and a wheelchair, chair, or other seat design. In transferring a patient from a chair to a bed, the lever is used by an attendant to assist the patient back and onto a transfer bed device. A spring helping device can be optionally used to assist in the transfer. Accordingly, a substantial reduction in the costs to design, manufacture, and operate a transfer chair is achieved while maintaining the same degree of comfort, safety and ease of prior patient transfer system designs.

Patient transfer seat

A transfer seat assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a hospital bed to transfer a patient from the bed to a location remote therefrom. The transfer seat assembly includes a frame portion and a removable seating portion. A method of transferring a patient from a reclined position on the bed to a seated position remote from the bed upon the transfer seat assembly is also disclosed.

An arrangement of a wheelchair with a movable seat and leg rest and a bed equipped with transfer apparatus including rollers, a movable sheet, a lift member, and a control system for transporting an invalid comfortably across the bed to a sitting position on the wheelchair.

Invalid transfer arrangement

A hand held laser apparatus containing a semiconductor laser diode switchably connected to a power supply. The output of the laser diode is focused and collimated by a pair of lens. Circuitry is provided to allow for either continuous wave or pulsed modes of operation as well as the capability of varying the pulsewidth of the laser. A guide laser or a light emitting diode is provided to guide the operator. The power level of the guide laser is limited so that it transfers minimal power to the workpiece but provides a visible line of laser light along which the output of the semiconductor laser diode will travel. A photodetector may be positioned between the laser diode and the lenses. Additionally, the amount of current delivered to the laser in continuous wave mode of operation or the pulse width and duty cycle of a pulse may be measured and displayed. Embodiments are provided incorporating a plurality of laser diodes to allow continued operation upon failure of a diode, increased power with the simultaneous use of the multiple diodes, or either alternate wavelength selection or wavelength mixing. Alternative embodiments operate at a predetermined voltage level. These embodiments may utilize a set of batteries such that the entire batteries and control circuitry may be contained either within a portable package or the hand held laser apparatus itself. Such alternative embodiments may be made so as to be disposable upon the discharge of their batteries or the exhaustion of the laser.

Hand held laser apparatus

A laser diode apparatus for initiating explosives or other pyrotechnic devices that has capability of checking both the laser diode operation and the optical fiber continuity between the laser diode source and the explosives required to be detonated. Power isolation circuits are provided to control the flow of current to the laser diode, also isolation filters are used to allow only the command signals to initiate the firing circuits employed.

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Charles R Chubb