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The objective is an optical periodontal probe tailored to automatically measure and record multiple tissue parameters deemed important for disease detection and treatment monitoring. As a first step in the development of a multi-functional device, a probe designed to mimic the visual measurements made by dental clinicians to determine pocket depth, bleeding on probing (BOP) and tissue coloration w ...

The use of dedicated pulsatile ventricular support devices (VAD) for circulatory support is becoming an accepted treatment modality for adult patients requiring support due to post-cardiotomy pump failure or post-AMI cariogenic shock; the VAD could also be used as a bridge to transplant. Although temporary circulatory support in pediatric patients is being performed with ECMO or centrifugal pumps, ...

The limited availability of donor hearts for people with end stage heart failure has driven the condevelopment of mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSSs). MCSSs can be broadly classified intocontinuous flow systems. Pulsatile systems drive blood indirectly through blood pumps, resulting inThis disadvantage of these systems, however, is their relatively large size. Continuous flow systemssim ...

Minimal access abdominal surgery through the laparoscope has generally replaced surgical procedureslaparotomy for several common procedures, including cholecystectomy and appendectomy. More complicatgastrointestinal operations are also being attempted laparoscopically. Many of these procedures aretechniques which are not yet standard laparoscopic techniques. A basic surgical technique necessarythe ...

Calcification of blood contacting surfaces has been the key impediment to the development of polymevalve prostheses and other polymeric implantables. The deposition of calcium plaques as hydroxyapatiand potentially leads to valve dysfunction. That calcification proceeds preferentially along surfacestress only exacerbates the problem. This work is based on the hypothesis that calcification along fa ...

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Two approaches are proposed to attack the problems of fixturing process. First, a novel hardware holding system, Dexterous Vise, is proposed. Functionally, a single Dexterous Vise is capable of revealing four faces of the clamped workpiece to the cutting tool without re-fixturing, which actually increases one degree of freedom to the machine tool. A pair of Dexterous Vises, the "Dual-Vise", ena ...

Active Control eXperts, Inc. (ACX) proposes to apply its expertise in actuator and control system design to high force, high bandwidth machine tool position control applications. ACX proposes to develop novel hybrid linear actuators which can operate at high loads (greater than 1000 lbs.) at high bandwidths (in excess of 200 Hz), and at high displacements (0.018 inches). This innovative solid-stat ...

Herein, an innovative aircraft weighing system based on a set of piezopolymar film pad sensors is described. The wieghing system, which would operate automatically as the aircraft taxi over it, would be unobtrusive, accurate, and reliable. These sensor pads could be integrated into the flight deck surface below the grated rubber surface finish. These thin (20-30 mils) piezopolymer sensing pads ...