American Research Corporation of Virginia

Other

American Research Corporation

Eastern Repair Fabrication

American Research Corporation of Virginbia

Russell J Churchill

Howard P Groger

K Peter Lo

Shufang Luo

Martin Weiss

Bruce L Thomas

Henry M Bass

Lloyd K Loftus

Usha Varshney

Peter Lo

Lawrence H Decker

Myron T Coolbaugh

Frederick A Kamke

James M Glass

Roger J Polidoro

Shu-Fang Luo

Chong T Ng

Howard J Moses

Nicholas V Nechitailo

James M Sloan

John A Neal

James Kelsch

A device for treating a snake bite wound that utilizes a hypodermic tube with a curvature that is similar to a typical snake fang whereby the hypodermic tube on one end comprises a smooth bulbous tip with at least one opening and a vacuum source is attached to the other end of the hypodermic tube. The tip is inserted into a snake bite wound, and due to the curved shape of the hypodermic tube, the tip and the tube then follow the curved shape of the snake bite wound without damaging any of the tissue surrounding the snake bite canal. The vacuum source then extracts any venom that is present from the wound. The device also enables medicine to be injected into the wounded area to treat the wound.

Snake venom evacuation and medication injection device

A highly-sensitive, rapid response fluorescent probe is based on the affinity of a polymer matrix for an analyte of interest. The probe includes a polymer matrix and a dye immobilized in the matrix. The polymer matrix has an affinity for an analyte of interest and the dye has little or no sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by an excitation source in a free state but has significant sensitivity to the analyte of interest when excited by the excitation source when immobilized in the matrix. Sensors incorporating the polymer/fluorophore probes of the present invention have the sensitivity and rapid response needed for detection of chemical agent and biological materials. Sensors using the probes provide sensitivity to Sarin at several hundred parts per trillion in one second or less. That is a notable advance over state-of-the-art detectors that require preconcentration steps, which in turn restrict response times to one minute or more. A wide-range of near-infrared excitable fluorophores are used as sensitive probes for analytes not detectable when the fluorophores are outside the polymer matrix. The present sensors provide early warning of the presence of toxic chemicals, provides for on-line analysis of trace materials in chemical and biological processing operations and biomedical processing operations, and provides for effective biomedical and environmental monitoring.

Fluorescent probes based on the affinity of a polymer matrix for an analyte of interest

The present sensor allows the user of any diode laser structure to be employed to provide sensitive chemical and biological detector. A diode laser electrochemical sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,407 &ldquo;Laser Diode Sensor&rdquo;. The present invention surpasses the capabilities of those sensors by measuring changes in the output power, output spectral characteristics or output signal auto-correlation function to detect the presence of chemical or biological films within the sensitive region.

Diode laser electrochemical sensor for detecting chemical and biological analytes

An optical fiber fluorescence sensor system capable of compensating fiber bending loss is provided. The system uses a modulated light-emitting diode and digital-signal processing chips to enhance the measurement of fluorescence signals. A fiber-optic oxygen sensor system suitable for measuring oxygen levels in gas and in aqueous media is provided. The system alleviates fiber bending loss. Detection of the signal-to-noise ratio of the system which exceeds 30 dB is done by using inexpensive components.

Loss compensation using digital-signal processing in fiber-optic fluorescence sensors

Optical chemical probes have layers of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes and one or more dyes incorporated into these layers. The probes are placed into the medium and the dye or dyes react in the presence of the corresponding chemical. Color changes may be observed manually or by a photo detector. A light source may be employed to increase the optical signal received from the probe. Further, a waveguide may be used to trap multiple optical signals. The invention is used for chemical analysis.

Optical chemical sensor based on multilayer self-assembled thin film

The vibration and electrical characterization of a piezoelectric tactor actuator is described. The actuator is a rectangular laminated flat plate with two opposite sides simply supported and two others free. Under an axial compression from the supports, the plate deforms into a stressed shallow shell. Electrical high frequency harmonic signals within relatively low-frequency bursts are applied to the piezoelectric layers. Depending on the axial compression and pre-deflection, frequency and magnitude of electrical input, the tunable actuator exhibits frequency/mode-controlled high-force over large area vibrations with intense displacement jumps. A single-degree-of-freedom model and simplified 1-D models are provided. The tactor provides efficient conversion of electrical energy into mechanical.

Piezoceramic vibrotactile transducer based on pre-compressed arch

A laser-based multi-axis position measurement unit measures position deviations in 5 axes while traversing a 6th linear axis. The apparatus includes three components: 1) a laser-beam unit which emits two parallel laser beams; 2) a sensor unit including at least three laser-position sensors, one of them being transparent; and 3) a microprocessor or computer unit which converts X,Y laser position data from the three sensors to displacements in 5 axes: X (horizontal), Y (vertical), Pitch (angular motion about the X axis), Yaw (angular motion about the Y axis), and Roll (angular motion about the line of travel). Readout of the 6th axis, the line of travel, is provided by means of a separate linear transducer or laser-based ranging system. The device includes an arrangement of three digital sensors on two parallel laser beams to deduce position in 5 axes. Applications for the measurement unit exist in machine tool measurement and calibration, robotics, coordinate measurement machines, optical alignment and other areas where position in multiple axes must be determined. The position information may be directly displayed or used as input for a closed-loop positioning system.

Laser aligned five-axis position measurement device

A-compact, diode laser-based sensor has applications in biological and chemical analysis. Unlike existing optical waveguide-based sensors, no external coupling to external optical fibers or waveguides is required to perform optical chemical, immunological or nucleic acid-based assay or to detect the presence of toxic or otherwise important chemicals. The sensor includes a surface-sensitive diode laser having a substrate layer, an n-contact layer positioned on a bottom surface of the substrate, an n-clad layer overlying the top surface of the substrate, a first guide layer overlying the n-clad layer, a quantum well layer overlying the first guide layer, a second guide layer overlying the first quantum well layer, a p-clad layer overlying the second guided layer and a p-doped cap layer overlying the p-clad layer. A pair of electrodes separated by a surface-sensitive region is positioned on the cap layer. The surface active region includes an oxide layer grown on the thick cap layer and an absorbing or non-absorbing film deposited on the oxide layer. For internal reflection, inorganic material coatings are applied to end facets or Bragg reflectors are etched in the cap layer. Detectors are positioned proximate the diode laser for detecting changes in film thickness or refractive index, absorption or other optical properties resulting from film deposition, surface reactions such as immunological or ion-exchange reactions, or other detectable processes.

Diode laser-based chemical and biological sensor

A precision positioning system is used for resurfacing and repairing rails and guideways of large, heavy machinery at users facilities. The system has new components, an entire machining system, a new alignment system, parallel platforms for tool support and surface scanning. A sectioned, portable monorail frame is held by fixed supports at the locus of a heavy machine requiring guideway straightening. Fixed guides extend along the outer surface of the monorail. Guide wheels and drive wheels contact the guides and support and move an outer tubular beam carriage. An assembly of machining tools is adjustably positioned on the carriage. Laser alignment sources and sensors are connected to the carriage and to heavy machines off-axis and parallel to the monorail. Intelligent controls precisely position the tools for resurfacing the rails and guideways. Scanning and a printout of machine guideway accuracy, before and after the operation, provide written verification of quality improvement. The system increases accuracy and speed of machining, reduces chatter and vibration, eliminates imprecise manual determinations, and returns the equipment to acceptable improved tolerances. The system has applications in any machine tool rebuilder or company with a machine tool in need of requalification. Applications also include rail transport, autonomous vehicles, micro-machining, inspection camera positioning, laser machining, material deposition and other operations such as drilling, heat treating, brazing and welding.

Laser aligned robotic machining system for use in rebuilding heavy

An apparatus and its accompanying method measures fluorescence decay, fluorescence amplitude and fluorescence polarization. The instrument includes a light emitting diode or laser diode light source, an amplified photodiode detector, and electronics and software for calculating the phase of the fluorescence from the computed inner product of the scattering and fluorescence signals. The electronics for measuring fluorescence decay includes two signal synthesizers, two downconverters, a simultaneously sampling analog-to-digital converter and means for calculating the inner product of the downconverted waveforms. A signal source, preferably a direct digital synthesizer, is used in combination with a digital-to-analog converter to provide a controllable output signal. That signal drives a modulatable light source, which is a light emitting diode, a laser diode or a combination of the two. Excitation light from the light source excites the sample fluorophore which is immobilized in a solid material. Fluorescence is detected using an amplified photodiode. The received signal is downconverted using a pair of mixers. The downconverted signals are digitized and stored. Preferably, the signals are digitized using a two-channel synchronous analog-to-digital converter controlled by a digital signal processor. Data from each channel are multiplied and summed to provide the inner product.

Fluorescence decay measurement by calculation of inner product

The present invention is a new electronic memory-assist device which can be used to remind an individual when it is time to take a prescribed medicine. The invention uses complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology in conjunction with surface-mounted device technology to provide a programmable portable unit. The device has three parts: a body-carried reminder, a local interactive compliance processor and a supervisory unit. The reminder has a portable power supply, microprocessors, software, memory, an alarm, an input key and communication linkage to the compliance processor. The compliance processor has a central processing unit, a pill case, a modem and, possibly, a recharger for the portable power supply. The supervisory unit is connected to the central processing unit remotely by modems. The device operates by providing data to the user through an alarm that it is time to take prescribed medication. The alarm is visual, auditory, tactile or any combination of the three. The alarm is initiated by software controlling microprocessors in the body-carried reminder and the pill case. The alarm is generated by comparison between the current time and times residing in the prescription database. The alarm continues until interrupted by either a request for more time prior to compliance or through reception of a message signifying that medication has been taken. All compliance data is stored in the central processing unit of the compliance processor.

Memory assistance apparatus to improve prescription compliance

A fluorescent sensor for chemical analysis has a light source, an optical waveguide, and a detector. Fluorophores are associated with the optical waveguide. When an impervious waveguide is used, a fluorophore-containing layer is applied to a surface of the waveguide. The fluorophores are excited by a laser, a light emitting diode, an electroluminescent source or a lamp source emitting light propagating at angles to the waveguide. The light source is modulated. A mirror can be used to direct the light beam. The angle of light incidence on the waveguide can be altered by moving the waveguide itself. The waveguide traps the laser-induced fluorescence and projects fluorescence signals through a suitable filter to a photodetector or otherwise wavelength-specific photodetector positioned near the waveguide structure. Remote operation of the sensor is achieved using optical fibers. Patterned waveguides allow multiple excitation sources to illuminate multiple fluorescent probe materials. The change in fluorescence from each fluorophore is sensed as a vector response which is evaluated using digital signal processing. The sensor uses steady state fluorescence and fluorescence decay information to determine identity and concentration of analytes of interest. The invention is used for chemical analysis of gases or of liquid materials.

Optical chemical sensor and method using same employing a multiplicity

An instrument is applied to the measurement of chemical species and concentration through the use of a chemically-sensitive coating on the eddy current coil or in the vicinity of the eddy current coil which produces a change in impedance of the probe through induced eddy currents in the coating. An eddy current or resonance circuit chemical detector is a non-contact sensor for measuring chemical species identity and concentration. The chemical detector is resilient and does not require reference electrodes. The chemical sensor is selective as a result of data available on the change in vector impedance of the probe, the change in resonant frequency of the tuned circuit, and the availability of data to construct a vector response from multiple probes having differing chemistries. The probe is used in extreme temperatures.

Chemical sensor using eddy current or resonant electromagnetic circuit

Wood composite materials containing veneer layers interposed with a thermoplastic adhesive containing a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and other thermoplastic polymer show increased impact resistance. The composite material may be manufactured using an adhesive transfer method or film extrusion.

Wood composite materials and methods for their manufacture

The laser brazing of the present invention offers the unique advantage of producing a high temperature hermetic bond while limiting the heat affected zone to the region of the joint. Laser brazing joins infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) ceramic materials to metals for radome applications. Using AG--Cu--Ti brazing alloys, zinc sulfide (ZnS) infrared windows were laser brazed to cylindrical titanium housings with no thermal degradation observed in crystalline properties of ZnS. Innovative glass-ceramic materials were also used as braze filler to produce over 30 ceramic-to-metal couples, including titanium Zns, Pyroceram/Kovar and niobium/sapphire. Benefits are in the production of strong, high temperature, hermetically sealed joints in aircraft and high velocity missile systems. An optimized laser brazing system is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Radford, VA, United States of America

Russell J Churchill