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

Other

USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Systems Research Laboratories

Infrared Imaging Systems, Inc.

Robert L Crane

Ronald A Coutu, Jr

Paul E Kladitis

Walter E Johnson

Yoseph Bar-Cohen

James E McGuire, Jr

Richard L Sutherland

Michael P Buchin

Kevin D Leedy

Lalgudi V Natarajan

Shamachary Sathish

Glenn W Hollenberg

David Melancthon Callard

Vincent P Tondiglia

Alten F Grandt, Jr

Joseph P Gallagher

Mark J Ruddell

Charles C Lovett

Byron P Edmonds

System and method are described for synchronizing a pulsed source of the near infrared illumination used in visualizing subcutaneous structures with the background illumination normally extant in medical treatment settings that allow both enhanced image acquisition and use of higher power pulsed infrared illumination sources.

Synchronization of illumination source and sensor for improved visualization of subcutaneous structures

Catheterization device and method of using are provided for uniquely illuminating the distal end of the device in order to visualize the end-point location and orientation and to track the movement of the catheterization device within passageways in the body. Use of the present invention by tracking in real time with an imaging device sensitive to visible to near infrared light. The invention allows the insertion and tracking of substantially any catheterization type device, for substantially any procedure requiring vascular access, such as in the placement of a PICC line, for heart catheterization or angioplasty, or for urinary track catheterization, or other bodily access procedure. The invention permits a technician to determine placement, orientation and movement of the device noninvasive equipment, without subjecting the patient to the hazards associated with ionizing radiation, radio frequency energy or significant thermal energy.

Determining inserted catheter end location and orientation

A multi-layered structure in the form of a disposable patch is described for supporting a light source and useful in conjunction with procedures for the non-invasive visualization of veins, arteries or other subcutaneous structures of the body or for facilitating intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, medication or the like, which in a representative embodiment includes a coupling layer for interfacing and optically coupling with the body surface and conforming to the surface topography of the body portion of interest, a ring for supporting a light source, and a reflective layer between the source and coupling layer for redirecting light reflected from the body surface back through the coupling layer.

Disposable light source patch for enhanced visualization of subcutaneous structures

A MEMS switch fabrication process and apparatus inclusive of a bulbous rounded surface movable contact assembly that is integral with the switch movable element and achieving of long contact wear life with low contact electrical resistance. The disclosed process is compatible with semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication materials and procedures and includes an unusual photoresist reflow step in which the bulbous contact shape is quickly defined in three dimensions from more easily achieved integrated circuit mask and etching-defined precursor shapes. A plurality of differing photoresist materials are used in the process. A large part of the contact and contact spring formation used in the invention is accomplished with low temperature processing including electroplating. Alternate processing steps achieving an alloy metal contact structure are included. Use of a subroutine of processing steps to achieve differing but related portions of the electrical contact structure is also included.

Shaped MEMS contact

A method for selecting metal alloys as the electric contact materials for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) metal contact switches. This method includes a review of alloy experience, consideration of equilibrium binary alloy phase diagrams, obtaining thin film material properties and, based on a suitable model, predicting contact electrical resistance performance. After determination of a candidate alloy material, MEMS switches are conceptualized, fabricated and tested to validate the alloy selection methodology. Minimum average contact resistance values of 1.17 and 1.87 ohms are achieved for micro-switches with gold (Au) and gold-platinum (Au-(6.3 at %)Pt) alloy contacts. In addition, 'hot-switched' life cycle test results of 1.02&#xd7;10and 2.70&#xd7;10cycles may be realized for micro-switches with Au and Au-(6.3 at %)Pt contacts. These results indicate increased wear with a small increase in contact resistance for MEMS switches with metal alloy electric contacts.

Radio frequency MEMS switch contact metal selection

A differential property sensitive acoustic lens for non-destructive materials evaluation is described which in a preferred embodiment comprises first and second substantially semicylindrical shaped portions of fused silica disposed in closely spaced relationship along an axial plane, a substantially spherical depression defined in one end of each semicylindrical portion and a flat defined on each semicylindrical portion at the other end, a piezoelectric transducer attached to the flat of each semicylindrical portion, and a paraffin coated aluminum film of preselected thickness disposed between and in laminar contact with the semicylindrical portions for preventing acoustic and electrical cross talk between the transducers and between the semicylindrical portions.

Differential property sensitive acoustic lens

System and method for enhancing visualization of veins, arteries or other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures of the body and for facilitating intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, medication or the like in the administration of medical treatment to human or animal subjects are described which comprise a light source (,) for illuminating or transilluminating the corresponding portion of the body with light of selected wavelengths and a low-level light detector (,) such as an image intensifier tube (including night vision goggles), a photomultiplier tube, photodiode or charge coupled device, for generating an image of the illuminated body portion, and optical filter(s) (,) of selected spectral transmittance which can be located at the light source(s) (,), detector (,), or both.

System and method for enhanced visualization of subcutaneous structures

A new personal laser dosimetry badge records intentional or unintentional exposure to laser radiation. A Fresnel biprism is mounted over a layer of photopolymerizable material, preferably a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material. A laser beam striking the apex of the biprism splits into two beams crossing at an angle which depends on the prism apex angle and the angle of incidence. These crossed beams form an interference pattern at the photopolymer with bright and dark fringes separated by a distance which depends on wavelength and the crossing angle of the two beams. The light triggers a photopolymerization reaction in the bright regions and records a permanent refractive index modulation, a hologram, which serves as a record of the laser interference pattern. Light incident normally on the badge will produce a normal index grating. Light incident at an angle will produce a slanted grating. An aperture at the front of the badge limits the irradiation area and the grating is recorded on the corresponding spot on the photopolymer determined by the badge geometry. The energy dosage of the laser can be determined from the peak diffraction efficiency of the resulting hologram.

Laser wavelength detection and energy dosimetry badge

A high reflection optical filter is described which comprises a film of a dielectric, inorganic or organic or other suitable material deposited on a suitable optically transparent substrate, the film having between a surface thereof exposed to incident radiation and an interface with the substrate a sinusoidal refractive index profile with selected number of periods and selected phase at the exposed surface in single band configurations, and superimposed multiple sinusoidal refractive index profiles with selected phase alignment of the superimposed profiles at the exposed surface in multi-band configurations.

Optical filter

A non-destructive technique for detecting and repairing surface flaws in the silicon carbide oxidation resistant coating of a carbon-carbon composite. The surface of the composite is treated with a test liquid consisting essentially of a carrier fluid, a particulate pigment and a finely divided borosilicate glass, or a mixture of silicon dioxide and boron oxide, containing 0.25 to 8 weight percent boron oxide. The treated surface is inspected for surface flaws. Any discovered flaws are repaired by heating the surface to cause the borosilicate glass to flow and heal the flaw. The composite is thereafter heated to a further elevated temperature to deplete the boron from the flaw-sealing glass.

Non-destructive evaluation method for coated carbon-carbon composites

A method of ultrasonically inspecting the internal structure of a multi-ply composite material using ultrasonic transducers includes the steps of positioning an ultrasonic transmitter in acoustical contact with one surface of the material, directing a beam of acoustic energy into the material with the angle of incidence of the beam with respect to the surface being less than the second critical angle for the material but greater than normal to the surface, and receiving the reflected energy. In one embodiment, the transmitting and receiving transducers are positioned with their axis perpendicular to the orientation of the reinforcing fibers within the ply being inspected. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are aligned at equal angles on either side of a line which is perpendicular to the orientation of the fibers. The receiver may be located on the same or the opposite side of the material from the transmitter. Internal cracks within each layer of the composite material can be detected along with information regarding their length and number. Further, by precessing the transducers, the orientation of the fibers within each ply will be revealed and this information may be used to confirm proper construction of the composite. Also, information regarding fiber overlap, wavyness and other characteristics of the composite with each ply can be ascertained.

Ultrasonic inspection of composite materials

A cushion for reducing the incidence of decubitus ulcers in immobilized patients has upper and lower sheets peripherally seamed together to form an enclosure which contains a quantity of small plastic spheres or beads. A baffle system is arranged within the enclosure for maintaining the beads in an even distribution throughout the enclosure. The material of the baffle system and upper sheet is permeable to air flow, while the lower surface is not, whereby air may be forced to flow through the enclosure and out the upper sheet from a blower interconnected to an end of the enclosure by a duct.

Cushion to reduce the incidence of decubitus ulcers in immobilized

A composite structure is fabricated from fiber-reinforced tape, segments of the tape being stacked one upon another so as to form a plurality of plies. A boron fiber is positioned adjacent to or along an edge of each of the tape segments. Because of the X-ray opacity of the boron fiber's tungsten boride core and because the boron fiber will break when a ply is damaged, damage to the composite structure can be detected by radiographic examination.

Growing community of inventors

Kettering, OH, United States of America

Robert L Crane