Loma Linda University

John S Phillips

Paul Edward Denney

Jay R Eastman

Andrew Paul Joseph

Paul M Fallara

Michael N Patena

Tim Burnham

Paul Coleman

Ta-Chieh Huang

Andrew P Joseph

A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Manipulation apparatus for system that removes material from a surface of a structure

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.

Method and apparatus for material processing

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit and to the laser manipulation system in response to user input.

A laser manipulation system controllably moves a laser head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with laser light from the laser head. The laser manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the laser head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the laser head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the laser head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The laser manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Laser manipulation system for controllably moving a laser head for irradiation and removal of material from a surface of a structure

A containment plenum is adapted to deliver laser light to an interaction region of an inhabitable structure to remove material from the structure. The containment plenum includes a plenum housing adapted to be coupled to a source of laser light. The containment plenum further includes a window substantially transparent to the laser light. The window is mounted within the plenum housing to transmit the laser light in a downstream direction and to provide a barrier to upstream transport of particulate matter generated by interaction of the laser light and the structure. The containment plenum further includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is mounted downstream of the window whereby the laser light and the compressed gas are transmitted through the nozzle in the downstream direction to the interaction region of the structure. The containment plenum further includes a resilient interface coupled to the plenum housing and adapted to resiliently contact the structure and to substantially surround the interaction region, thereby confining the material and removing the material from the interaction region.

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Powell, OH, United States of America

John S Phillips