text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jul 22, 2003
|Filing date
|Dec 29, 2000
|Priority date
|Dec 29, 2000
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Matthew Dubin, Brent Larson
|Original Assignee
|Honeywell International Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (23), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (4), Classifications (11), Legal Events (5)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention relates to optical systems, and more particularly concerns devices for folding an optical beam so as to increase its beam length.
Many devices for processing optical beams have significant size restrictions, yet require relatively long lengths for the beams inside the devices.
A common technique for increasing the length of a beam within an optical device is to fold the beam inside the device. Binoculars, for example, commonly reflect incident optical beams in a "Z" shape to increase their optical length while keeping their physical length small. Many reflex cameras employ a pentaprism to increase the optical length of their viewfinders within a small camera body. Projection systems of various kinds attain wider deflection angles in a shorter distance from projector to screen by folding their beams internally. Projection television receivers, for example, frequently employ shaped mirrors to fold the beams traveling from the guns to the screen. Collimators and other types of devices can achieve increased beam length by folding incident optical beams within the devices. Heads-up displays and helmet-mounted military optics require multiple optical functions in a small volume. Other kinds of radiation beams, such as x-rays and electron beams, can also be processed by folding them in suitable devices.
A number of conventional devices fold optical beams with plane mirrors or other reflectors. Beam folders implemented with conventional reflectors generally do not save large amounts of space. That is, at least one physical dimension of such a device remains a large fraction of the effective optical length within the boundaries of the device. Other conventional folding devices employ beam splitters. These devices can significantly increase optical length compared to their physical dimensions. However, beam splitters typically suffer from low optical efficiency. The intensity of the output beam is frequently only a small fraction of the incident beam's strength. In addition, such devices do not perform other optical functions within the device. Their only function is to increase path length; any further beam manipulation must be accomplished separately, thus increasing the overall volume of the device.
The present invention offers optical devices for increased optical length in restricted volumes using polarizing beam splitters reflectors that repolarize or convert the polarization of an incident beam, thus providing greater optical manipulation of the beam in a given physical space. Some of the devices employ polarized beams, others operate with non-polarized beams.
Devices according to the invention include one or more polarizing beam splitters each having a pass axis that transmits one polarization of an incident beam through the splitter, and a rejection axis that reflects a different polarization from the splitter in a different direction. Devices incorporating the invention also include one or more repolarizing reflectors, that is, reflectors that change both the direction of an incident beam and its polarization. These elements are configured to transmit an incident beam entering the device among each other so that one or more of the splitters both passes and rejects the beam because of a polarization change in one or more of the reflectors.
The invention finds utility in optical systems for many applications, such as projectors, imagers, collimators, and manipulators of optical and similar radiation. The terms "optical" and "light" must be taken in a broad sense as including any wavelength and type of radiated energy.
FIGS. 1.1-1.4 show optical elements for illustrating concepts used in the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a beam-folding device showing one form of the invention.
FIG. 3.1 is a schematic diagram of another form of the invention.
FIG. 3.2 shows a compound device using multiple devices of the form shown in FIG. 3.1.
FIGS. 4-9 are schematic diagrams of further forms of the invention.
FIGS. 10-11 are diagrams of polarizing beam splitters useful in the invention.
FIGS. 1.1-1.4 illustrate conventional components and concepts useful in describing the invention. A beam or ray entering a component or device described herein is an incident beam. When the beam portion leaving the device is called out separately, it is termed the exit beam. Beams are shown as light-weight lines in the drawing. A beam may have its direction, polarization, and/or other properties modified when it encounters a component within a device or a surface thereof. When polarizations are indicated in the drawing, arrows and circles represent different polarization directions or modes. These directions are arbitrary, and different symbols merely signify that the designated polarization modes differ from each other. For example, a beam said to be horizontally polarized may have any direction with respect to an optical device; the only significance of the designation is that its polarization is opposed to a beam in the same device that is termed vertically polarized. The terms 'S' and 'P' are sometimes used for these modes. Polarization can also occur in mutually opposed right- and left-hand circular and elliptic modes. The description below will focus upon beams in the optical range of electromagnetic wavelengths. The invention also applies to other ranges of electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays or radio waves. It can also apply to waves of other kinds, such as acoustic energy. Optical components such as reflectors and splitters have analogs known to those skilled in these fields of technology.
FIG. 1.1 is a schematic diagram of a typical pentaprism optical device for increasing optical length for the viewfinder of a single-lens reflex camera, indicated generally by the numeral 110. An incident optical beam or ray 111 enters camera lens 112 and reflects from hinged mirror 113 in front of film plane 114. The beam enters pentaprism 115 through lower face 115.1, then encounters a reflective coating on face 115.2. The beam reflects to another face 115.3 that also has a reflective coating. Faces 115.2 and 115.3 are angled so that the beam exits the prism through rear face 115.4 in a direction perpendicular to the direction from which it entered the prism. Finder lens 116 then forms a small upright image for the viewer.
Thus, the travel distance of beam 111 is increased significantly over what it would be by merely reflecting beam 111 from a mirror placed at 117. The pentaprism folds beam 111 so that its length inside the prism device is significantly greater than an associated physical dimension of the device. This dimension is normally a physical length or width of a device. In prism 115, the associated dimension is the distance from entrance face 115.1 to point 117, plus the distance from 117 to exit face 115.4. That is, the applicable dimension is the distance the beam would have traveled within the device had it not been folded. Thus, folding makes the optical length greater than the physical dimension of the device. This description employs the term "beam length" to denote the distance traveled by a beam inside the device. In optics technology, the term "path length" denotes this optical distance, but also takes into account the index of refraction of the material through which the beam passes. In the present context, this difference is usually small.
FIG. 1.2 is a schematic view of a conventional polarizing beam splitter 120. An incident beam 121 having a polarization indicated by arrows 122 is transmitted or passed through the splitter as exit beam 123 having substantially the same direction as the incident beam. An incident beam 124.1 or 124.2 having a different or opposite polarization, indicated by circles 125, is rejected by the splitter—that is, reflected from it in a different direction, as shown for exit beam 126.1 or 126.2. The polarization mode that the splitter transmits or passes is called its pass axis; the mode that it reflects or rejects is its rejection axis. The pass and rejection axes of a polarizing beam splitter are generally perpendicular to each other, although it is possible that they might have some other angle with respect to each other. For circular polarization, the pass axis could be a right-hand polarization mode, while the rejection axis would be an opposite left-hand mode. That is, the term "axis" does not necessarily denote a linear or other literal direction, and can be taken as synonymous with a polarization mode.
Polarizing beam splitters can be constructed in a number of ways, such as with an active layer 127 providing a polarizing beam-splitting function on a glass or other transparent substrate 128 that provides mechanical strength. Although certain specific forms are portrayed here, any construction is useful in connection with the invention. The splitters described here transmit one polarization mode with its direction unchanged, and reflect another mode at an angle equal to its angle of incidence. The significant point, however, is that different polarizations are separated into beams having different directions or locations. Therefore, the terms pass and rejection axes denote in a general sense the orientations of the different effects that the splitter has upon waves of a given polarization, and are not limited to the transmission and reflection of different polarizations at particular directions or angles.
FIG. 1.3 depicts one form of wave-repolarizing component 130. Such a component alters the phase of a wave passing through it by a certain amount, usually expressed as a fraction of a wavelength or an angle. In the plate shown schematically as 130, for example, incident beam 131 encounters the plate with a phase shown at 132, and emerges as an exit beam 133 with a retarded phase indicated at 134. A reference beam 135 not passing through the plate is shown for comparison. The phase 134 of exit beam 133 is 180� or one-half wavelength out of phase with respect to the phase 136 of the reference beam. Plate 130 is therefore called a half-wave retarder. Other phase amounts are common; quarter-wave (90�) retarders, e.g., are used in many applications. Retarders have the effect of changing the polarization mode of an incident wave or beam. A half-wave retarder, for example, converts or rotates a horizontally polarized beam to a vertically polarized one and vice versa, when properly oriented. Right- and left-hand circularly or elliptically polarized waves are also interconverted to their opposite modes by a halfwave retarder. Some specific forms of retarder are discussed below, but any type can be employed. Moreover, other conventional methods of altering the polarization of a wave can be turned to use in the invention.
FIG. 1.4 is an enlarged partial view of one form 140 of a single optical element for performing two operations in the present invention. Element 140, termed a reflecting repolarizer, both reflects an incident wave 141 and modifies its polarization mode. Beam 141 first passes through a layer 142 that retards it by a quarter wavelength in a wavelength range of interest. Beam then reflects from layer 143 to form exit beam 144 having an angle equal to the incidence angle of beam 141. Because the beam passes through layer 142 twice, its total retardation is a half wavelength, and its polarization mode is opposite that of the incident beam 141, the same as in FIG. 1.3. Beam 141 reflects from the front surface 143 of layer 145. Although a rear-surface reflector is also possible, front-surface reflectors are usually more efficient. Such a reflecting repolarizer provides two operations required for path-length enhancement in the present context packaged in a single optical element that can be constructed and positioned as an integral unit, thus saving both expense and space. The two operations are also performed nearly simultaneously, so that untoward effects cannot intervene to upset their alignment or mutual cooperation. A device according to the invention, however, can also employ two separate components for the operations of reflecting a beam and modifying its polarization; the term "reflecting repolarizer" must be understood to embrace any device or combination of devices that perform these two functions.
FIG. 2 shows schematically an optical device 200 for folding an incident beam 201 to produce an exit beam having a beam length greater than an associated dimension 203 of the device. Light 201 from any type of source 210 has a polarization indicated at 204. The source could be inherently polarized, or a conventional analyzer (not shown) could be placed in the path of incident beam 201 into or within device 200, even at the exit. The polarization mode is arbitrary; it could be linear vertical or horizontal, circular right- or left-handed, etc. A polarizing beam splitter 220 is positioned so that its rejection axis lies along the polarization mode of beam 201. Therefore, the beam is reflected from splitter 220. The reflected beam then passes through polarizing beam splitter 240, whose rejection axis is perpendicular to that of splitter 220, and encounters a reflecting repolarizer 230. The beam, now having a different or opposite polarization, as symbolized at 205, next encounters polarizing beam splitter 240 having its pass and rejection axes positioned so that the beam is now rejected. When the beam again encounters the first splitter 220, its polarization is now aligned with its pass axis. Thus the beam is transmitted through splitter 220, and leaves device 200 as exit beam 202 directed toward a target, shown schematically at 250. For convenience, FIG. 2 symbolizes the pass and rejection axes of the splitters with the same polarization symbols used for the beam. If the angle or position of input beam 201 changes, say to the right in FIG. 2, the incident beam might first encounter splitter 240, which would pass it to splitter 220, which would reject it to repolarizer 230. The repolarizer would reflect the beam back to splitter 220, which would now pass it to splitter 240 to be there rejected and sent out of the device at the top. That is, the order of encounters can change, but the effect remains the same.
The optical length of beam 210 within device 200 is twice the physical length 203 of the device, with no significant optical losses. Splitters 220 and 240 are depicted as perpendicular to each other, and diagonal (here, about a 45� acute angle) to reflecting repolarizer 230, in the style of an X-cube combiner. The axes of the crossed splitters are orthogonal to each other: the rejection axis of one is the same as the pass axis of the other, and vice versa. The beam encounters each splitter twice, and the repolarizer once. Each splitter both passes and rejects the beam, at different points along its path. Obviously, the axes of both splitters could be interchanged, or the beam polarization could be rotated. In that case, the beam would first pass through splitter 220, then be rejected at 240, and so on. Repolarizer 230 would then be placed at the other side of the device.
Most substances employed as polarizing beam splitters are isotropic, and have no intrinsic pass and rejection axes. Some materials, such as flexible plastic sheets sold under the name "Dual Brightness Enhancing Film" (DBEF) by Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., are inherently anisotropic, and can serve in the invention as polarizing beam splitters by themselves. That is, the material itself has pass and rejection axes, and does not require additional components such as half-wave retarders in order to form a polarizing beam splitter. This property significantly decreases weight and size. DBEF film performs well in the visible-light range, has a large acceptance angle, and is inexpensive. Methods for preparing it for use in the invention are discussed in connection with FIG. 10.
Device 200 might find application in a projection system, for example. Light source 210 would be a projector, and target 250 a screen. The entire system may fit behind the image, and the losses are small.
FIG. 3.1 is a schematic representation of a device 300 having a construction similar to that of device 200, FIG. 2. Light source 310 emits a beam 301 that is unpolarized—that is, one having both horizontal and vertical polarization portions, as indicated at 302. One portion 303 is rejected at polarizing splitter 320, passes through splitter 340, reflects with opposite polarity at repolarizer 330, is rejected at splitter 340, passes through splitter 320, and exits to target 350 at 304, as in device 200. Components 320, 330, and 340 are constructed with the same orientations as components 220, 230, and 240; that is, the pass and rejection axes of splitter 320 are interchanged at splitter 340. The other portion 305 of incident beam 301, having as polarization different from that of portion 303, passes through splitter 320, but is rejected at splitter 340. This portion then encounters another reflecting repolarizer 360, changes polarity so that it now passes through splitter 340, reflects from splitter 320, and exits to target 350 as exit beam 306. Splitters 320 and 340 can be fabricated from a film having intrinsic pass and rejection axes, or from other structures, such as tilted sheets or layers having half-wave retarders (not shown).
Device 300 has many applications. It is well known that a long bar can be used as a high-efficiency mixer of multiple beams. Device 300 will perform as a high-efficiency mixer of multiple incident beams 301 from multiple sources 310, but has only half the physical dimension 307 of a non-folded device having an equivalent optical beam length. If repolarizers at 330 and 360 are replaced with repolarizers having a variable phase change or retardation coefficient, then device 300 can function as a variable attenuator or dimmer. Components 371 and 372 symbolize conventional variable attenuators or other controllers for this purpose. In this case, the variable retardation only partially changes the polarization from horizontal to vertical or vice versa, so that the splitters will only pass or reject a fraction of the power in the beams that encounter them for different incident polarizations. Multiple units 300 can be placed in series to obtain a composite device having any required dynamic range. With suitable control of the variable repolarizers, the output beam could be smoothly faded from one polarization through random polarization to another polarization. A variable retarder such as 380 on the output face of device 300 can control the polarization of the exit beam by allowing only one polarization mode to pass. If only one repolarizer, such as 330, can be varied, then two devices in series constitute a dimmer, but only one set 371 of control electronics is required. In the limit, of course, a variable attenuator could be merely an on/off switch—a valve for selectively gating the beam in response to an electrical signal or other agency.
Some forms of polarizing beam splitter operate effectively over only a particular band of wavelengths. If splitters 320 and 340 operate only at one color or other range of wavelength, device 300 is useful to control color balance. If, for example, reflecting polarizers are selected, the amount of red light in the beam can be controlled without affecting green and blue. If this form of device 300 is cascaded with additional units 300 having green splitters and then blue splitters, the composite device can perform mixing, dimming an color balancing at the same time. Cascading optical units mens to position them so that the exit beam of one becomes the incident beam of the next.
FIG. 3.2 shows such a composite device. Individual units 300.1, 300.2, and 300.3 are cascaded, so that the exit beam of one constituent device becomes the entrance or incident beam of the next. Constituent devices 300.1-300.3 have splitters effective over red, green, and blue wavelength bands, respectively. (Other wavelength bands could also be employed.) Controller pairs 371.1/372.1, 371.2/372.2, and 371.3/372.3 vary the retardation of the devices separately, and hence vary the intensity of each color independently. Each constituent unit 300.1, 300.2, and 300.3 transmits two of the three colors as if there were no reflective polarizers—that is, as if their splitters had no rejection axes.
The configuration of device 300′ causes the rays to bounce off the reflecting repolarizers of the constituent units at steep angles. It is difficult to obtain high efficiency at both near-normal and large incidence angles. If each unit is constructed of a solid (this term includes a liquid) transparent material having a high refractive index, a low-index coating placed between the solid material and each repolarizer causes the unaffected portions of the beam to be reflected by total internal reflection, a much higher-efficiency mode than grazing reflections. This technique is useful in other embodiments also, and is particularly desirable in devices employed as mixers where some of the incident radiation is not affected by the splitters. If the refractive index of the repolarizers is sufficiently low, then no coating may be needed to achieve total internal reflection. The mirrors of the repolarizers can then be optimized for reflections at near-normal angles at the wavelengths of interest. Depending upon the size and angular extent of source 310, and the number of units in series, a large number of large-incidence angle reflections may occur from the repolarizers; a low-index coating will increase the efficiency of these systems as well.
Tilted transparent plates in an optical system introduce aberrations when beams traverse them at an angle. The aberration that typically has the greatest effect upon image quality is astigmatism. In a composite system 300′ where multiple constituent units are cascaded, as in FIG. 3.1, astigmatism can be reduced by orienting the constituent devices in a certain way, as described below in connection with FIG. 4.
The devices shown in FIGS. 2-3 have two polarizing beam splitters positioned orthogonally to each other. Employing other numbers of such beam splitters, and/or configuring the beam splitters non-orthogonally to each other, opens up further ways for performing optical functions in a reduced volume. FIG. 4 illustrates a device 400 where the incident beam 401 from source 410 is limited to any predetermined polarization, such as vertical or right-hand circular. A single polarizing beam splitter 420, constructed like splitter 320 or 340, FIG. 3.1, has its rejection axis aligned with the polarization of beam 401. Thus, the beam reflects from the splitter and encounters repolarizer 430. The beam, having had its polarization changed by element 430, now passes through splitter 420, and impinges upon another repolarizer 440. The beam, now modified back to its original polarization direction, is thus reflected again from splitter 420, and exits the device. That is, the beam encounters splitter 420 three different times, being rejected twice and passed once. The two repolarizers are positioned parallel to each other and diagonally to the splitter, so the exit beam 402 leaves in the same direction as incident beam 401 had entered. Here, the beam length is three times the associated dimension 403, the physical length of the device. The modified exit beam 402 departs device 400 in substantially the same direction as the incident beam 401 had entered it.
Other devices, such as 400, can be compounded in the same way as shown in FIG. 3.2. Diagram 404 indicates that the YZ plane is in the plane of the page of FIG. 4. Let the surface normal of splitter 420 be parallel to vector j+k in the standard notation of diagram 404. Orienting the corresponding splitters of further devices (not shown) in the same direction compounds astigmatism through the overall device. However, orienting the splitter of a second device such that its surface normal is parallel to vector i+k (or, equivalently, parallel to −i+k) can significantly decrease the overall amount of astigmatism. Another way to visualize this process is to rotate the second device by 90� in either direction around the Z axis in diagram 404. For hollow component devices, the splitters add astigmatism; cascaded systems employing such devices preferably add them in pairs to cancel the astigmatism.
FIG. 5 depicts a device 500 for projecting images from a source 510 onto a target 520. Numerals 501.1, 50.2, and 501.3 symbolize an incident beam 501 of polarized rays from a liquid-crystal display (LCD) 511 or other type of conventional light source 510. Source 510 may include projection or focusing optics such as a projection lens 512 and a folding mirror 513. Lens 512 and mirror 513 are conventional, and may be replaced by other optical components in any convenient arrangement or omitted altogether, depending upon the desired overall configuration of the device 500. In this example, for instance, mirror 513 reduces the overall size of projector 500 by utilizing the otherwise wasted space behind element 530.
The polarized incident beam 501 proceeds from mirror 513 of source 510 to a first polarizing beam splitter 520 having a pass axis positioned with respect to the polarization of beam 501 so as to transmit rays 501.1-501.3 to a second polarizing beam splitter 540. Splitter 540 has a rejection axis aligned in the same direction as the pass axis of splitter 520, or equivalently, a pass axis substantially perpendicular or crossed with respect to the pass axis of splitter 520. Thus, the beam 501 that was passed by the first splitter 520 is reflected from the second splitter 540. Splitters 520 and 540, and other splitters described below for other embodiments, can be constructed of sheets or layers of material having intrinsic pass and rejection axes, or may be fabricated in other ways, as described elsewhere.
Beam 501 then proceeds to a reflective repolarizer 530, which converts its polarization to an opposite mode: horizontal to vertical, etc. (Again, polarization directions or modes are named arbitrarily; only their difference is significant to the invention.) Beam 501 now has a polarization aligned with the rejection axis of splitter 520, which therefore reflects it back toward splitter 540. Because the axes of splitter 540 are crossed with respect to those of splitter 530, the polarization of beam 511 is now aligned with the pass axis of splitter 540. Splitter 540 thus transmits the beam as an exit beam 502 to a transmissive target projection screen 550. Rays 502.1-502.3 correspond to source rays 501.1-501.3 respectively. The planes of splitters 520 and 540, extending out of the page of FIG. 5, are at an acute, non-parallel angle with respect to each other. The particular angle depends upon the desired overall geometry of the system.
The projection optics and configuration of the components is such that the exit beam is focused to form an image upon screen 550 of the image from LCD 512. FIG. 5 shows screen 520 in essentially the same location as the second splitter 540, and is viewed from direction 551. If desired, screen 520 and splitter 540 can be fabricated as a single integrated unit for easier mechanical support. Alternatively, they can constitute separate physical units, or the screen can be separated from splitter 540 and made reflective, so that it is viewed from a direction opposite that of arrow 551. Device 500 illustrates a configuration according to the invention in which the polarizing beam splitters are not perpendicular (i.e., non-orthogonal) to each other, and in which the repolarizer is positioned non-diagonally diagonal (i.e., not at 45�) with either of them. The beam traverses both splitters twice, and is both passed and rejected by both splitters. The folded beam length is again considerably greater than an associated dimension 502 of the device. Splitters for device 500, and for the devices described below, can be formed of a material having intrinsic pass and rejection axes as mentioned above, or from any other single or composite structure that serves as a polarizing beam splitter in the wavelength band of interest.
The systems shown in FIGS. 2-5 have polarizing reflectors that are parallel and planar. Removing one or both of these requirements, however, opens up the possibility of performing other optical functions in a physically smaller device by incorporating them into a beam folder according to the invention. This can be achieved by shaping the components so that the same component performs an optical function or beam manipulation in addition to simple reflection and polarization conversion.
FIG. 6 shows a device 600 useful as an in-line collimator. Radiation source 610 may include an illuminator depicted schematically at 611, a controllable light valve 612, and lenses, filters, or other optical elements 613. Rays of polarized incident beam 601 enter the device at different angles. As in device 200, FIG. 2, the incident beam is rejected by a first polarizing beam splitter 620. (Some of the rays are first passed by a second polarizing beam splitter 640 having its axes crossed with respect to splitter 620.) Element 630 reflects beam 601 and retards it by a total of a half wavelength. This repolarizer, however, is not flat or planar, as were those described earlier. Rather, it has a non-planar shape for manipulating the beam characteristics, by focusing, collimating, or other optical operations. In this example, a parabolic shape of repolarizer redirects all of the incident rays in the same direction, to collimate them. That is, the manipulation takes place in the same optical element as the reflecting and repolarizing operation, and substantially simultaneously therewith, thus combining several operations in a single element for space and cost savings. Having been polarized in a different mode, the beam 501 is now rejected by splitter 640, although some of its rays are first passed by splitter 620.
Rays 602 travel parallel to each other to target 650. Optional optical elements 660 may control or further manipulate exit beam 602 if desired; for example, 660 could denote a light valve. In the illustrated device 600, repolarizer 630 is shaped to achieve collimation of the exit beam. Other effects are possible with other shapes. Of course, a beam traveling in an opposite direction through the device will be affected inversely: parallel incident rays 602 proceeding from a source at the location of target 650 would be brought to a focus at the erstwhile source 610. Repolarizers can be replaceable or controllable for different effects in the same overall device. Repolarizer 630 can be constructed as a separate element of a hollow-cube design, or the face of a solid cube could be made with the appropriate curvature and then coated with retarding and reflective layers. Optical elements such as 612 and 660 can be constructed as separate elements or possibly by forming the entrance and exit faces of a solid cube carrying the elements 620-640. Such elements could be provided to control aberration, for example. Other optical elements, not shown, could further be placed in front of the shaped reflecting repolarizer 630, in the path between it and the splitters 620 and 640. The beam length of device 600 is substantially twice its associated physical dimension 603, thus achieving collimation in a much shorter distance from source 610.
FIG. 7 shows another curved reflecting repolarizer, for applications such as a head-mounted display. In device 700, an incident beam 701 from source 710 has a polarization aligned with the rejection axis of a polarizing beam splitter 720 and with the pass axis of another polarizing beam splitter 740. The beam may encounter either splitter first, but encounters both before encountering reflecting repolarizer 730. In this example, element 730 includes a light valve 731 that can be controlled to alter the retardation of a wave that encounters it. For example, valve 731 might be settable by an electrical signal or otherwise to retard an incident beam by a half wavelength or not at all, or in gradations. One advantage of this configuration is that radiation whose polarization is not changed by valve 731 is returned to source 710, through splitters 720 and 740, along paths 702 and 703. If the source scatters some of this radiation back without preserving its polarization, overall efficiency of device 700 is increased. The optical beam length of device 700 is about three times the associated unfolded dimension. In FIG. 7, this unfolded dimension is the length of incident beam 701 from source 710 to the splitter 720 that first rejects it, plus the length of the exit beam 704 from that splitter to the exit face.
Radiation whose polarization is changed in repolarizer 730 is now aligned with the pass axis of splitter 720 and with the rejection axis of splitter 740. This radiation proceeds to reflecting repolarizer 750, which again changes it polarization. Repolarizer 750 is shown as curved, so that it manipulates the beam in the manner of element 630, FIG. 6, although perhaps with a different result. Radiation then proceeds back to splitters 720 and 740, where it passes through the one that rejected it previously, and is rejected by the one that previously passed it. Exit beam 704 leaves the cube 700 to target 760.
FIG. 8 shows another device 800 that finds application as an in-line collimator. In this example, a polarized incident beam 801 from source 810 is aligned with the rejection axis of polarizing beam splitter 820. The axes of splitters 820 and 840 are crossed, so that beam 801 might encounter and pass through splitter 840 before being rejected in splitter 820. After being reflected from splitter 820, the beam encounters reflecting repolarizer 830. Element 830 is constructed as a retroreflector, so that the beam is reflected in a direction substantially opposite the direction it had arrived; retardation is accomplished with a separate layer 831. Having been retarded so as to change its polarization mode, however, the beam is now rejected at splitter 840 and passed by splitter 820 (perhaps in reverse order). Exit beam 802 passes from the cube to target 850. Retroreflectors can be constructed as a single corner reflector, an array of corners, or in other conventional configurations.
Device 800 as thus far described forms a real image in a compact optical system. The optical beam length is double the associated length 803 of the device. If source 810 includes a collimating lens 811 and a stop 812, an image of the stop is formed on target 850. Such a system offers a large eye relief in a head-mounted display, for example.
FIG. 9 is an example of a projection device 900 that demonstrates how a large number of functional optical elements can be packed into a small volume using beam folding according to the invention. Polarized light 901 from source 910 is rejected from polarizing beam splitter 920, possibly after passing through splitter 940. The pass and rejection axes of these splitters are crossed, or disposed in different directions. This light encounters curved repolarizer 930, a second-surface mirror that manipulates the beam and reflects it back to the beam splitters in an opposite polarization. If the two faces of element 930 have different curvatures, even further optical manipulation is achieved. On this leg, polarization is aligned with the pass axis of splitter 940 and the rejection axis of splitter 920. Thus the beam passes to repolarizer 950, which is another second-surface mirror having differently curved surfaces. The beam is now aligned with the pass axis of splitter 940, but is rejected upon reaching splitter 920. After passing through another lens 960, the exit beam 902 encounterers target 970, which can be a projection screen.
FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 showing the use of a flexible film 1010, such as the previously mentioned DBEF, as a polarizing beam splitter. The active surface of film 1010 has small ripples, reducing the resolution of an imaging system, and thus limiting usefulness of the film for high-performance devices. Heating the film and placing it under tension greatly reduces the size of the ripples, improving its performance sufficiently for use in optical folding devices that employ the film as an imaging element. The film can be stretched in a number of ways. In FIG. 10, heated film 1010 is held over frame 1021 while frame 1022 is forced over it to produce a seal. Frames 1020 can have shapes other than round, such as rectangular. For some shapes, the film should be cut to relieve areas of large stress, to avoid breakage. Frames 1020 stretch the film in both directions of its plane. In the particular example of DBEF film, the ripples are generally oriented in one direction. If the frames stretch the film only in this direction, performance is still significantly enhanced.
After film 1010 has been stretched, the ripples must be maintained at their smaller size. If the film remains in frames 1020 under tension after it cools, the ripples remain small. Another approach is to laminate the stretched film to a substrate with an adhesive. The film can be laminated on only one side, or on both sides for added strength. Alternatively, a substance such as epoxy can fill a cavity on one or both sides of the film; the epoxy thus provides the structural support necessary to maintain the curvature. Flat splitters can also be fabricated by these methods.
Polarizing beam slitters can be curved as well as flat. Dashed lines 1011 and 1012 indicate the curvature of a sheet. The curvature can be produced by increasing the air pressure, symbolized by arrow 1030 on one side of sheet 1010 while it is held in frame 1020; pressure could also be decreased for curving the film in the opposite direction. The shape of the frames can be configured to determine the properties of the curvature. Round frames produce rotationally symmetric curves, while other frame shapes can produce curvatures having other symmetries. Curved splitter shapes can also be achieved by stretching a suitable film over a solid convex or cylindrical surface having the desired curvature.
FIG. 11 shows another polarizing optical beam splitter 1100 useful for constructing devices according to the invention. In some applications, it is desirable to fabricate the device as a hollow air-filled cube. This frequently requires that the polarizing beam splitters be supported on a substrate, such as transparent substrate 128 However, tilted transparent plates introduce aberrations when beams traverse them at an angle, as depicted in FIG. 1.2. The aberration that typically has the greatest effect upon image quality is astigmatism. Although incident rejected beam 124.1 is reflected directly from active layer 127, a rejected beam 124.2 approaching from the opposite direction must travel through the substrate twice, suffering a jog with each traversal. A substrate having enough mechanical strength is typically at least three times as thick as the coating or other layer that provides the active beam-splitting function, making the aberrations significant in many applications.
Splitter 1100 in FIG. 11 has a body 1110 made up of a transparent substrate 1111, such as glass, having an active layers 1112 and 1113 on each side. The substrate provides sufficient mechanical strength to hold the active layers in place. The pass and rejection axes of the two layers are aligned with each other, so that a polarization direction that is transmitted through either layer is also transmitted through the other; likewise, any polarization that one layer rejects is also rejected by the other. An incident beam 1101 having a polarization (shown by the arrows) aligned with the pass axis of layers 1112 and 1113 is transmitted through them and through transparent substrate 1111 as exit beam 1102. An incident beam 1103.1 having a polarization (indicated by the circles) aligned with the rejection axis of layer 1112 reflects it to form exit beam 1104.1. An incident beam 1103.2 having the same polarization direction or mode as beam 1103.1, but arriving from the other side of splitter 1110, is aligned with the rejection axis of layer 1113, and reflects from it as exit beam 1104.2. Therefore, neither of the beams 1103.1 and 113.2 need travel through the substrate 1111.
FIG. 12 shows another improved polarizing beam splitter 1200.
The above description is sufficient to allow those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Changes can be made in the structure, materials, and other aspects of the described embodiments without departing from the inventive concept, whose scope is to be measured only by the following claims and their equivalents. The elements of the claims need not be interconnected except as explicitly stated or as necessary to perform their function. Operations need not be performed in any particular order unless a specific sequence is recited or inherent.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Sep 23, 1946
|Sep 14, 1948
|Merrill M Flood
|Polarizing beam-splitting prism
|Nov 24, 1970
|Jul 18, 1972
|Vickers Ltd
|Optical field flattening devices
|Nov 1, 1993
|Jan 10, 1995
|Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
|Polarization conversion unit, polarization illumination apparatus provided with the unit, and projector provided with the apparatus
|Dec 6, 1994
|Jun 25, 1996
|Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
|Image display apparatus
|Nov 12, 1996
|Nov 10, 1998
|Compaq Computer Corporation
|High efficiency lamp apparatus for producing a beam of polarized light
|Dec 7, 1995
|Dec 1, 1998
|Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
|Head mounted display, and head mounted video display system
|Jun 3, 1998
|Aug 24, 1999
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Head mounted displays utilizing reflection light valves
|Jun 29, 1998
|May 16, 2000
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Apparatus for polarization conversion
|Feb 18, 1998
|Jun 27, 2000
|Hewlett-Packard Company
|Optics for reducing one dimension of a folded optical path
|Aug 20, 1997
|Aug 22, 2000
|Seiko Epson Corporation
|Polarized light separating/combining optical element, polarized light illuminating apparatus and projection-type display device
|Jul 21, 1995
|Nov 14, 2000
|Seiko Epson Corporation
|Polarization luminaire and projection display
|Apr 7, 1997
|Oct 30, 2001
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Optical system for miniature personal displays using reflective light valves
|Nov 4, 1964
|Jun 4, 1970
|Marks Alvin Melville
|Verfahren zur Herstellung eines orientierten Kunststoffilmes,insbesondere zur Verwendung als Polarisationsfolie
|Jul 29, 1989
|Mar 14, 1990
|Polaroid Corporation
|Method for preparing light polarizer
|Dec 22, 1993
|Jul 6, 1994
|MITSUI TOATSU CHEMICALS, Inc.
|Color filter having polarizability
|Aug 20, 1999
|Jun 14, 2000
|Hewlett-Packard Company
|Folded optical system having improved image isolation
|May 20, 1999
|Jun 14, 2000
|Fujitsu General Limited
|Liquid crystal projector
|Title not available
|May 5, 1988
|Nov 17, 1988
|Hughes Aircraft Company
|Improved optical system for full color liquid crystal light valve image projection
|Jul 21, 1995
|Jul 4, 1996
|Seiko Epson Corporation
|Polarized lighting apparatus and projection type display device
|Aug 20, 1997
|Feb 26, 1998
|Seiko Epson Corporation
|Polarized light separating/combining optical element, polarized light illuminating apparatus and projection-type display device
|May 16, 2000
|Nov 23, 2000
|3M Innovative Properties Company
|Reflective lcd projection system using wide-angle polarizing beam splitter
|May 15, 2000
|Dec 7, 2000
|Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
|A display for head mounting
|Swift, D.W., "Image rotation devices-a comparative survey", Optics and Laser Technology, 4, Butterworth Scientific Ltd., pp. 375-376 (1972).
|Swift, D.W., "Image rotation devices—a comparative survey", Optics and Laser Technology, 4, Butterworth Scientific Ltd., pp. 375-376 (1972).
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|May 16, 2002
|Jul 20, 2004
|3M Innovative Properties Company
|Polarization arrangement
|Dec 14, 2012
|Dec 8, 2015
|KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
|Condensing-type portable fluorescence detection system
|May 16, 2002
|Mar 27, 2003
|Corning Precision Lens Incorporated
|Polarization arrangement
|Dec 14, 2012
|Jan 16, 2014
|KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
|Condensing-type portable fluorescence detection system
|U.S. Classification
|359/484.08, 353/20, 359/489.07, 359/489.11, 359/485.06
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Mar 26, 2001
Owner name: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC., NEW JERSEY
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DUBIN, MATTHEW;LARSON, BRENT;REEL/FRAME:011671/0006
Effective date: 20010320
|Dec 18, 2006
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Feb 28, 2011
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Jul 22, 2011
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Sep 13, 2011
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20110722


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I have a very large picture for my background which I use for the BODY tag. The background is defined as a fixed attachment. I want to place the whole wordpress site (the contents of the site between the opening and closing BODY tags) inside a div with scrollbars, so that my site would stay withing the contents of my background picture. For that, I tried to use a separate DIV tag with the style of "overflow: scroll". I placed the opening DIV tag just after the BODY tag in the header.php file and the closing DIV tag in the footer.php file just before the </BODY> tag, but for some reason this doesn't work. Could anyone help me solve this problem?
Thank you!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The FAOJ (ISSN 1941-6806) is the first open access, peer-reviewed international journal of foot and ankle medicine and surgery. It is the official publication of the International Foot & Ankle Foundation. Established in 2008, the journal is the ideal platform for practitioners, residents and students to publish case related material quickly and easily for distribution through the world wide web absolutely free of charge. Its purpose is to provide a quality journal to further promote education and research in foot and ankle medicine and surgery.
Modified Scarf osteotomy for treatment of hallux valgus
by Saad R. El Ashry, M. S. Sidhu, Abhay Tillu
Lisfranc-like injury involving lateral tarsometatarsal joints: a case report
by Mir Tariq Altaf, Muhammad Haseeb, Varun Narula, Aakash Pandita
Postoperative analgesic efficacy of dexamethasone sodium phosphate versus triamcinolone acetonide in bunionectomy: A prospective, single-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial
by Chris Olivia Ongzalima, Wei Lin Renee Lee, Anh Hoang, Ming Yi Wong, Reza Naraghi
Does shoe midsole temperature affect patellofemoral and Achilles tendon kinetics during running?
by Sinclair J, Atkins S, Shore H
Form determines function: Forgotten application to the human foot?
by Mick Wilkinson, PhD and Lee Saxby, BSc
Lateral and open medial subtalar dislocation: Report of two uncommon cases
by Ganesh Singh Dharmshaktu, Irfan Khan
Steroid intra-articular injections for foot and ankle conditions: How effective are they?
by Mohammed KM Ali, Suhayl Tafazal, CA Mbah, D Sunderamoorthy
Effects of energy boost and springblade footwear on knee and ankle loads in recreational runners
by Jonathan Sinclair
Longitudinal Arch Angle (LAA): Inter-rater reliability comparing Relaxed Calcaneal Stance with Toe Off
by Edward S. Glaser DPM, Stephen Goodman MS, David Fleming BS, Misty Shelby cPed, Raymond Lovato cPed, Eric Tidwell cPed
© The Foot and Ankle Online Journal, 2016


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im assuming that there will be little accomplished by 49ers in free agency as far as adding new players to fill holes......the niners will concentrate on esigning their own guys, such as abrayuo franklin, barry sims, tony pashos, david baas, and dre bly..
with unrestricted free agency now likely requiring 6 years rather than 4, scratch off names like mankins, merriman, wilfolk, mcneil etc....the players who will be eligible arent going to be all that attractive (mike gandy, chad clifton, casey hampton, etc)
at draft time, if scott mcloughan sticks to his professed claim that you have to take the best player available, then niners may not take an olineman in round one...
especially if there is a run on olineman before niners pick....say okung to chiefs, davis to seahawks, campbell to raiders, bulaga to bills....
do you really spend a 1st rd pick on a rt tackle? is ther much of a difference between trent williams from oklahoma and ciron black of lsu (who i project to niners 3rd rd pick in this mock)....
so what I would like to see happen, but doubt mcloughan would actually do, is
round one (first pick) c.j. spiller, rb clemson......watching this guy is a must to appreciate how good he really is...a complete back, who can run inside, is an excellent receiver (his utube hilites show him getting downfield on a number of plays, as well as taking a short pass in flat and running forever), is tough (utube has one play where he decleats a man downfield blocking for the wr ford) and can return punts and kickoffs
he would add a much needed element of speed and big play capability to niners offense, and give jimmy raye alot of options as far as play calling...
round one (second pick)....golden tate wr notre dame...i will maintain he would make more of an impact on niners offense than iupati, not because iupati isnt a good player, but because tate is a special player....he is a guy who regularly makes big yards after the catch, is tough, football fast (he runs past defenders---no matter what he might time at the combine)...he can return punts....again, you see his work for the past couple of years you see big play after big play....watch the utube vs stanford, one play he catches ball , zig zags accross the field, actually giving up yards, until he gets the angle and cutsit upfield for a score...
spiller & tate could give the niners the type of fire power that the cards and colts have, playmakers that would put pressure on the defense
round two..perrish cox db oklahoma st.....the defense needs some infusion of young draft picks as well, perish cox would be an excellent pick if still on board....in their game vs georgia he did excellent covering bulldog standout wr aj green....also led ncaa in pass breakups w/ 19, showing his cover ability...returns punts...had some atittude problems that could lead to his falling out of round one...if cox is gone, maybe a safety like lsus chad jones or south florida's nate allen would be good picks here...as would cornerback kyle wilson (adding speed to the dbackfield)
round three...ciron black ot lsu...not a great sr year but had good career at lsu...played left tackle, but feet are better suited to rt tackle position
round four...jammie kirlew olb indiana...underrated player who I think could help in pass rush eventually...good production at indiana, has a parys harralson type body
round five....brandon carter texas tech...could upgrade guard position, has kevin gogan like size and temperment, and as some have mentioned handled nebraska's suh very well
round six...greg middleton de indiana....had 16 sacks several yrs ago, play has dropped off since then, but he has the talent to be good at def end in niners 3-4
round seven...michael hoomanawanui te illinois....a 270 lb + te who could help as bigger tight end who could block, something they lacked last year (though as maiocco pointed out, do they really lose much by having wragge serve in the role)
i think this would be a good draft for niners, but I dont really see mcloughan bypassing an olineman in rd 1, taking a wr in rd 1 (even though he may be the BPA)...i also suspect spillet may be a big riser up the boards as the draft nears, cox could be a 1st rd pick and other picks i've suggested may not be on board where i project them)
Im sure many will disagree, andthat is why I dod put reasons and arguments to try to support the picks


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Celestron SkyProdigy 130 telescope pictures and hands-onPocket-lint
There's bound to be someone you know - probably you - who's hooked on all things space. A few Brian Cox docos here, a smattering of Deep Space Nine episodes there and, before you know it, you're wondering whether that's Orion's Belt or just a series of aeroplanes coming into land.
Find out for sure this Christmas, or even before, by picking up the Celestron SkyProdigy 130 which, we're assured by Amazon, is the top level of basic telescope before it all gets a bit too expensive and beardy. Naturally, our hands-on experience was a touch limited, given the almost permanent cloud coverage over the UK right now but we certainly had an eye-opener of a session as to how these things work.
First of all, the headline spec you'll want to know is that the SkyProdigy 130 brings you up to 307x magnification which is why you'll need a tripod to hold it still. The second fact to note is that it's entirely computerised, if you wish it to be, and that's good because otherwise you'll need to calibrate the thing by hand which involves lining it up with marker stars which you probably have no idea where they are. Instead, all you do with this £800 unit is press a button and away it goes.
Once set up, rather than look for constellations, nebulae and planets on your own, you can use the control panel - which looks rather like a 1980s carphone - to select celestial objects by name. The telescope will then rotate and focus to the right spot in the night sky all by itself.
The SkyProdigy 130 is made of all sorts of solid bits of steel and the good news is that it's apparently dead simple to take apart and put back together if you want to take it out in your car to a big hill away from the city lights. "A matter of minutes," is what we were told which apparently equates to about 4.
Perfect for some family bonding or just a good bit of geeking out on your own, the Celestron SkyProdigy 130 is well worth a look in.
- 20 of the best Hubble facts and photos
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- Fitbit updates activity tracker lineup with new Charge 2 and Flex 2
- It's official: Apple will hold 7 September event likely for iPhone 7
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- What to expect from Sony's PlayStation New York event: PS4 Neo, PS4 Slim, and more
- Ring Video Doorbell review: Chime-tastic security for your front door
- PlayStation 4 Slim: Release date, rumours and everything you need to know


text:
Album: N/A
Label: Voltron
Producer: Brian "B.A.M." Alexander
While Ricky Rozay'a more well-known songs are club bangers, the Boss has also been known to lay some gems in the R&B department. In "Stay (Remix)," Ross is "The slow lovemaker, the straight backbreaker," and we wouldn't have it any other way over this 90s-flavored beat.
The Complete History of Rick Ross Guest Features
Tyrese's "Stay (Remix)" (2011)
Album: N/A
Watch Now


text:
There were 56 bookings at the San Joaquin County Jail in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, there were 1,161 people held at the jail, which has an official capacity of 1,411.
Arson: Police responded to the 4700 block of North Pershing Avenue at about 4 a.m. Wednesday to assist the Stockton Fire Department with a report of an arson at a laundrymat. Flames were coming from inside the business when fire crews arrived, and it appeared the arsonist had forced his way into the business to start the blaze, officials said.
Weapon, drug arrest: Police conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of North Wilson Way at about 1 a.m. Wednesday and discovered the driver was on parole. Officers conducted a parole search of the vehicle and said they uncovered a loaded handgun and 11 grams of rock cocaine. Verlin Lampkin, 53, was arrested on suspicion of possession of weapons, narcotics and parole violation.
Narcotics, weapons arrest: Police arrived at a "known problem address" in the 8100 block of Le Mans Avenue at about 5 p.m. Tuesday and found a 25-year-old woman, wanted on charges of possession of stolen property and a 31-year-old man. They were taken into custody after a stolen 1995 Honda Civic was found in their driveway. Police said they found two .30-caliber rifles, several ounces of marijuana and magazines with .30-caliber rounds inside the car. A probation search of the home was conducted, and police said they found more ammunition and 49 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Daisy Sysengrat, 25, and Delwin Wright, 31, were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and weapons and narcotics charges.
The California Highway Patrol responded to six noninjury accidents and three injury accidents in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Wednesday. CHP officers also arrested three people on charges of driving under the influence and recovered one stolen vehicle.
The Stockton Fire Department responded to 129 calls for service in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Wednesday, including eight vehicle accidents, 97 medical calls and four structure fires.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Raise Minimum Wage? Why Not Bring Our Jobs Back?
October 31, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Can anyone again explain why minimum wage jobs need to be $15 per hour? I can understand if you are a caretaker in a nursing facility, because often times the job is... more »»
Let's Practice Civility In Public Discourse
October 29, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: "It is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error." Area native and famous jurist Robert H. more »»
Vote To Preserve Civil War Memorial
October 28, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP) was formed in November 2014 when it became apparent that the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building located in... more »»
Why Is Gas So Expensive In WNY?
October 27, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Our Congressman Tom Reed informed us a few months ago that he would look into the reason why the gas prices are so high in Western New York, especially Jamestown. more »»
Consider Donating To JPS' Promise Fund
October 26, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: We are pleased to announce the formation of a special charitable fund called the Jamestown Schools PROMISE (Providing Resources to Our Mission In Support of Education) Fund,... more »»
Guns Don't Kill People —The Second Amendment Does
October 25, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: The Second Amendment once again succeeded in pulling off a mass-murder of innocent Americans. more »»
Thank You, Mystery Gifter
October 24, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Saturday afternoon, Columbus Day Weekend, I was finishing my late lunch and the ending of a short story I had been reading. more »»
Election 2016: It's Time To 'Hustle'
October 23, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Conservatives need to start practicing the "hustle." We've been asleep at the voting booth. more »»
Debate Over Prendergast Library's Artwork Continues
October 22, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: The public is debating the question of whether the Prendergast Library should sell a portion of its art collection so that the proceeds can be used to cover general operating... more »»
George Spitale Gets Things Done
October 21, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: I have lived on Hazzard Street for 20 years. more »»
Repair The 'Sink Hole'
October 20, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: You would think that with winter and snow coming just around the corner that the city of Jamestown would have repaired the "sink hole" which has developed on Washington Street... more »»
Southwestern Teachers Deserve Better Reputation
October 8, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Thumbs down to the lawn signs throughout the Southwestern School District? We are not asking to be rewarded. more »»
New York Needs New High School Football Division
October 7, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Is it time for a Class 'E' in New York high school football? The number of school districts that are struggling to field high school football teams in Class 'C' and 'D' (small... more »»
Cummins Steps Up Again
October 4, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: Cummins has once again stepped up to provide meaningful community service by conducting a very efficient community recycling event. more »»
Ban On Microbeads Succeeds
October 3, 2015 To The Readers' Forum: We applaud the Chautauqua County Legislature, and the leadership of Legislator George Borrello, for unanimously passing a ban on microbeads. more »»
BPU Should Purchase Better Transfer Station
October 2, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: I wasn't too happy reading the P-J on Sept. 22 when it came to the proposed hikes by the BPU, in particular the waste recycling rate. more »»
Be Careful What You Write
October 1, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: I am all for editorial freedom, but please don't get carried away. I was at the library board meeting on Thursday, the 17th of September. more »»
Chadakoin Playground Park Committee Thanks Musicians
September 30, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: The Northside Community Chadakoin Playground Park Committee would like to thank the musicians who gave their time and offered their God-given musical talents in efforts to... more »»
Things Could Be Much Worse
September 29, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: Any person who is warm, dry, safely housed and adequately fed should never consider themselves poor. The recent strife overseas should show us that. more »»
Chautauqua Gran Fondo Serves Veterans
September 27, 2015 To The Reader's Forum: The organizers and volunteers of the first annual Chautauqua Gran Fondo worked very hard to make the bicycle tour a success. more »»
News, Blogs & Events Web


text:
Are you Mark H Katz?Claim your profile
Publications (48)
Article: Single-Incision Thoracoabdominal Approach With Normothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass for the Management of Urologic Tumors Invading the Inferior Vena Cava[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Urologic tumors invading the inferior vena cava can be a difficult management problem. They are traditionally dealt with utilizing hypothermic circulatory arrest through central cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass performed through a median sternotomy in addition to the large abdominal incision for the kidney tumor. We describe a single incision approach utilizing normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass to address this technical challenge.
Article: Oncological and Functional Outcomes After Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy: Critical Review of Current Status[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Although open radical cystectomy (ORC) remains the gold-standard management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, the number of centers performing robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) has recently increased, prompting greater oncological outcome concerns. Although limited in patient number and follow-up, short-term RARC data from centers of excellence appear to show the approach to be safe and effective, with improved perioperative and functional outcomes, while maintaining comparable oncologic efficiency. Nevertheless, despite the surge of centers adopting RARC, the long-term effectiveness of minimally-invasive techniques has yet to be proven. This review of published RARC series affirms the need for prospective, long-term, controlled studies to adequately evaluate the role of robotics in bladder cancer surgery.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Obesity is becoming an increasing problem and is associated with increased incidence of renal-cell carcinoma. We sought to assess the impact of obesity on outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal masses. We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic and clinical outcomes from January 2004 through August 2010 of consecutive partial nephrectomies that were performed at a single institution. Patients were segregated according to preoperative body mass index (BMI), and outcomes were compared. Seventy-eight nonobese (BMI<30), 24 obese (BMI 30-35), and 24 morbidly obese (BMI>35) patients were identified. Obese patients were significantly more likely to be female (66% >35 vs 32% <30). Other baseline characteristics were similar. There was a significant relationship between estimated blood loss (P=0.03) and increasing BMI when compared as a trend. No significant differences were observed in regard to operative time, transfusion rate, complications, or surgical margin status between groups. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be safely performed in obese patients without significant expected difference in outcomes.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Patients with Gleason (GL) 6 prostate cancer in one or two biopsy cores can be upgraded and/or upstaged at the time of surgery, which may adversely impact long-term outcome. A novel model for prediction of adverse pathologic outcomes was developed using preoperative characteristics. Between 2003 and 2007, 1159 patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our institution. GL 6 prostate cancer in one or two biopsy cores was identified in 416 (36%) patients. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the rate of GL ≥7 and/or extraprostatic extension at RARP. Covariates consisted of age, body mass index (BMI), number of positive cores, greatest percent of cancer in a core (GPC), clinical stage, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. After backward variable selection, the developed model was internally validated using the area under the curve and subjected to methods of calibration. Respectively, 278 (67%) and 138 (33%) patients had one or two positive biopsy cores. At RARP, 90 (22%) patients were upgraded to GL ≥7 and 37 (9%) had extraprostatic extension. The novel model relied on age, BMI, preoperative PSA level, and GPC for prediction of adverse pathologic outcomes and was 69% accurate. Calibration plot revealed a virtually perfect relationship between predicted and observed probabilities. In patients with GL 6 prostate cancer in one or two biopsy cores, 25% have more ominous pathology at RARP. The model provides an individual assessment of adverse outcomes at surgery. Consequently, it may be considered when counseling patients regarding their management options.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Current robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) data suggest comparable and, perhaps, improved pathologic outcomes when compared with laparoscopic and open techniques. In mature RARP series, overall positive surgical margin (PSM) rates have ranged between 9 and 19%. Independent risk factors for PSMs include lower surgeon case volume, pathologic stage and Gleason sum, lower prostate weight, higher pre-operative PSA level, and PSA density. Other possible prognostic indicators include biopsy Gleason sum, body mass index, and neurovascular bundle preservation. Various surgical techniques and tailoring nerve preservation based on disease severity appear to improve cancer control during RARP. The most common locations for PSMs during RARP are posterolateral and apical, but location and number do not appear to impact recurrence. An extensive PSM, however, does appear to be an adverse prognostic finding. Short- and mid-term biochemical recurrence-free survival appears equivalent for robotic, laparoscopic, and open radical prostatectomy. Unfortunately, the RARP data are too immature to estimate cancer-specific and overall survival.
Article: Application of Ice Cold Irrigation During Vascular Pedicle Control of Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: EnSeal Instrument Cooling to Reduce Collateral Thermal Tissue Damage[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Energy-based hemostasis of the prostatic vascular pedicles (PVP) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) may cause collateral thermal injury to adjacent neural tissue and has been shown to negatively impact sexual function recovery. The unique engineering design of the EnSeal(®) (Ethicon, Cincinnati, OH) has been demonstrated to limit collateral thermal tissue damage to <1.0 mm. Use of tissue and instrument cooling before and during device activation may potentially further reduce thermal spread. As such, we sought to evaluate the collateral tissue effects of EnSeal with or without cold saline irrigation (CSI) during PVP control. The EnSeal Trio device was used for PVP control in 20 consecutive men undergoing bilateral, non-nerve-sparing RARP. Ipsilateral vascular pedicles were randomly selected to EnSeal plus CSI (<4 °C) application to the tissue before and during device activation or EnSeal alone. The primary end point was the distance of thermal injury from the inked margin using both hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and terminal transferase uridyl nick end-labeling (TUNEL) apoptosis staining. A mean of three measurements was taken for each pedicle. Pathologic analysis was performed by a single, blinded uropathologist. Mean distance of thermal injury from the inked margin using H&E staining was 0.31 mm (range 0.15-0.40 mm) and 0.98 mm (range 0.7-1.2 mm) for the EnSeal plus CSI and EnSeal alone, respectively (P < 0.0001). TUNEL staining also demonstrated lateral tissue damage of 0.39 mm (range 0.2-0.5 mm) and 1.12 mm (range 0.9-1.3 mm), respectively (P < 0.001). No complications related to hemostasis or postoperative bleeding were observed in the study. The hemostatic properties of EnSeal work effectively when submerged in CSI. Adjacent thermal tissue damage is significantly minimized with the addition of CSI. This may have a beneficial impact on nerve preservation and sexual function outcomes after RARP.
Article: Laparoscopic Radical Versus Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for Clinical T 1b N 0 M 0 Renal Tumors: Comparison of Perioperative, Pathological, and Functional Outcomes[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To compare outcomes in patients treated with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) for clinical T1bN0M0 renal masses. Between 2002 and 2008, 33 and 52 consecutive patients who underwent LPN and LRN, respectively, for clinical stage T1bN0M0 tumors were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained database of 450 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgery. Perioperative, pathological, and postoperative outcomes were compared. The two groups of patients were similar in age, sex, and body-mass index. Mean radiographic tumor size was smaller (4.8 vs. 5.2 cm, p = 0.04) in the LPN group. Mean operative time (228 vs. 175 minutes, p < 0.0001) and mean estimated blood loss (233 vs. 112 mL, p = 0.003) were higher in the LPN group. Intraoperative complication rates of 15.2% versus 5.7% (p = 0.28) and postoperative complication rates of 24.2% versus 13.5% (p = 0.20) were observed in the LPN and LRN groups, respectively. Overall median follow-up was 15 and 21 months for the LPN and LRN cohorts, respectively. A 12.5% and 29.3% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed (p = 0.002), and 30.3% compared with 55.7% of patients developed an estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) < 60 mL/minutes after treatment (p = 0.04) for LPN and LRN, respectively. There were no differences in pathological stage distribution between the two groups. In the LPN group there were no local or systemic recurrences, and one positive surgical margin was observed. One patient developed metastatic disease in the LRN group. LPN for T1b renal tumors provides superior intermediate-term preservation of renal function compared with LRN. Continued follow-up of these patients is required to evaluate oncological outcomes.
Article: External Beam Radiation Therapy After Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A Report on Acute and Late Genitourinary Toxicity[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To describe genitourinary (GU) toxicity in men with a history of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer. Seventy-one men with a history of TURP were treated with EBRT for prostate cancer. The median time from TURP to EBRT was 15 months. The median EBRT dose was 70 Gy, and 21 men (30%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Acute GU toxicity and late GU toxicity were scored by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria and compared with a cohort of 538 men without prior TURP. The median follow-up for men with TURP and men without TURP was 40 months and 50 months, respectively (p = 0.7605). The rate of acute Grade 2 GU toxicity or higher was 41%, and was increased with a history of more than 1 TURP (73% vs. 31%, p = 0.0036). The 4-year rate of freedom from late Grade 3 GU toxicity or higher was 84%, and was decreased with ADT (45% vs. 95% without ADT, p = 0.0024). By last follow-up, maximal GU toxicity tended to resolve (p < 0.0001) and there was no worsening of urinary symptom scores (p = 0.6911). Compared to men without a prior TURP, TURP patients had a lower rate of freedom from late Grade 3 toxicity or higher (84% vs. 96%, p = 0.0483). Multivariate analysis suggested a higher rate of late Grade 3 toxicity or higher with TURP (risk ratio, 2.87; p = 0.0612) and EBRT dose of 74 Gy or greater (risk ratio, 2.26; p = 0.0521). Men treated for prostate cancer with EBRT after TURP have a higher risk of severe GU toxicity; however, the overall incidence is low, and toxicity tends not to persist.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To present outcomes of a contemporary series of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer after previous treatment for localized cancer of the prostate (CaP). A retrospective review of more than 1000 RCs performed for bladder cancer between 1995 and 2008 identified 49 patients previously treated for localized CaP. Patients were stratified according to the type of primary therapy received for CaP: any form of primary or adjuvant radiotherapy (brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy) versus radical prostatectomy (RP) monotherapy. Perioperative data were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. Of 49 patients, 40 (82%) underwent primary or adjuvant radiotherapy and 9 (18%) RP alone. Eleven (22%) patients received a continent diversion. Mean estimated blood loss (EBL) and hospital stay were 979 mL and 12 days, respectively. Extravesical disease (≥pT3a) was present in 23 patients (57.5%) in the radiotherapy group and in 2 patients (22%) in the RP group. Ten patients (all in the radiotherapy group) had a positive margin, 9 (90%) of whom had pathologic T4 disease. The overall major perioperative complication rate was 41%. Of the 6 patients with an ONB (all after RP), 4 had severe incontinence. Patients undergoing RC after previous treatment for localized CaP are at increased risk for perioperative morbidity. Patients should be counseled that orthotopic diversion after RP may be associated with significant incontinence. Extravesical disease is more prevalent in patients treated with previous radiation. We observed a high rate of positive margins associated with pathologic T4 disease in this cohort.
Article: Laparoscopic Nephron-Sparing Surgery in the Management of Angiomyolipoma: A Single Center Experience[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Angioembolization is often the first-line treatment for patients with renal angiomyolipoma (AML). Regrowth and repeated hemorrhage after embolization, however, remain a concern. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is the definitive, minimally invasive treatment alternative. We compared the outcomes of LPN in patients who had a diagnosis of AML with patients with other renal tumors. From a prospective LPN database, we identified patients with a final pathologic diagnosis of AML (group 1). The ability of preoperative imaging to predict AML final pathology results was studied. Surgical and postoperative outcomes in group 1 were compared with the outcomes of the rest of our LPN cohort (group 2). Of 184 LPNs that were performed between 2002 and 2008, 14 (7.6%) patients and 15 renal units had a diagnosis of AML. Two patients underwent concomitant LPN and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for multiple AML lesions. In group 1, only 33% of the patients had a preoperative diagnosis of AML. There were no significant differences in tumor size, age, preoperative estimated creatinine clearance, body mass index, and comorbidities between the groups. The mean estimated blood loss in groups 1 and 2 was 214 mL and 178 mL, respectively (P = 0.5). The complication rates were similar between the groups. With a median follow-up of 15 months, no AML recurrences or bleeding was observed in group 1. The results of LPN or RFA, when appropriate, in AML patients are comparable to the results of LPN for other renal tumors. The preoperative imaging studies were a poor predictor of AML in patients who were undergoing LPN.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients >or=70 years of age undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN), and laparoscopic ablative techniques (LAT) for small renal masses. From a prospectively maintained database we identified 19 (LRN), 28 (LPN), and 19 (LAT) patients aged >or=70 who underwent surgery for cT1aN0M0 lesions. Perioperative, surgical, and functional outcomes were compared. The three groups were similar in age, race, body mass index, and estimated creatinine clearance. In the LRN group, mean tumor diameter was larger (3.3 vs. 2.4 cm [LPN] and 2.7 cm [LAT]; p = 0.0005) and there was a higher percentage of central tumors (73.7% vs. 25.0% and 5.3%; p < 0.0005) when compared with the LPN and LAT groups, respectively. Although intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were similar, mean estimated blood loss and operative time were highest in the LPN group (p < 0.05). Moreover, 42.1%, 39.3%, and 42.1% of patients had preoperative stage 3 chronic kidney disease in the LRN, LPN, and LAT groups, respectively. Patients who underwent LRN had a lower follow-up estimated creatinine clearance (43.4 vs. 61.4 mL/min [LPN] and 59.2 [LAT]; p < 0.01) and a higher likelihood of developing stage 3 chronic kidney disease after treatment (100% vs. 25.0% [LPN] vs. 18.2 [LAT]; p < 0.0005). Impaired renal function is common in elderly patients presenting with renal masses. LPN and LAT provide superior preservation of renal function when compared with LRN in this population. In appropriately selected patients >or=70 years of age presenting with T1a renal lesions, laparoscopic nephron-sparing approaches should be considered.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To review our laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) experience, examine the evolution of technique, and compare the outcomes between the early and recent experience. The indications and surgical technique of LPN continuously evolve. Data for 184 patients who underwent LPN for a tumor between October 2002 and August 2008 was retrieved from a prospective database. Surgical and functional outcomes for the entire cohort were analyzed and the first 50 (group 1) and most recent 50 (group 2) cases were compared. The groups were similar in terms of baseline renal function, body mass index, and comorbidities. The mean tumor size and the proportion of central tumors in groups 1 and 2 were 2.4 vs 3 cm and 12% vs 52%, respectively (P <.003). In group 2 we stopped the use of ureteral catheters and bolster renorrhaphy, and routinely clamped the renal hilum. Mean warm ischemia time in groups 1 and 2 (30 and 27 minute, respectively, P = .3) and the complication rate were similar. Overall, patients with tumors >4 cm had more complications (P = .042). In group 2 the estimated blood loss and hospital stay decreased (243 vs 140 mL, P = .01, 1.4 vs 2.5 days, P <.001). Overall 78% of the tumors were malignant and the positive margin rate was 3%. With a median follow-up of 18 months, no local or distant tumor recurrences were observed. With growing experience and technical modifications, LPN is now performed for patients with larger and more central tumors. Longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate oncologic outcomes.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To compare the perioperative and functional outcomes of patients with clinical T(1a) and T(1b) renal tumors after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Data of 184 patients who underwent LPN were retrieved from a prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved database. The patients were stratified for analysis into groups: 149 (81%) patients with clinical stage T(1a) (group 1) and 35 (19%) patients with clinical stage T(1b) (group 2). Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared. No significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, operative time, conversion rate, intraoperative complication rate, and hospital stay were observed. The incidence of postoperative complications in group 2, however, was twice that of group 1 (25.7% vs 12%) (P = 0.04). Clinical staging correlated with the pathologic staging in 96% of the patients in group 1 and in only 71% in group 2 (P < 0.001). Upstaging to pT(2) or pT(3) occurred in 29% of the patients in group 2. High-grade tumors were more prevalent in group 2 (36% vs 12%) (P = 0.001). The number of patients with positive margin was higher in group 2, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean decline in estimated creatinine clearance (median follow-up 18 months) was significantly higher in group 2. LPN in patients with tumors >4 cm, while safe and feasible in experienced hands, is associated with a higher postoperative complication rate, as well as a higher rate of pathologic upstaging. Such data should be discussed when counseling patients with larger tumors for LPN.
Article: Urinary Diversion Trends at a High Volume, Single American Tertiary Care Center EDITORIAL COMMENT
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. To investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for endophytic tumours and those located near the hilum or the posterior upper-pole, as these pose a technical challenge. Technically challenging tumours were defined as endophytic, hilar, or at the posterior upper-pole (group 1), and were compared to tumours in other locations (group 2). We collected data prospectively for all patients undergoing LPN at our institution, including baseline patient and tumour characteristics, surgical and postoperative outcomes. Two-sided t-test or rank-sum test, and chi-square or exact tests were used as appropriate for comparison of continuous and categorical variables, respectively, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. There were 184 patients treated with LPN (42 in group 1 and 142 in group 2) between 2002 and 2008 by one surgeon (A.L.S.). Groups 1 and 2 were similar in terms of baseline variables (age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, previous surgery, renal function and haematocrit) and in tumour size. LPN for challenging tumours resulted in a higher rate of collecting system repair (78% in group 1, 61% in group 2, P = 0.03). However, operative (surgery time, warm ischaemia time, blood loss, intraoperative complications) and postoperative outcomes (renal function, nadir haematocrit, complication rate, hospital stay and positive margin rate) were similar between the groups. With developing experience LPN can be safe for technically challenging renal tumours in well selected patients.
Article: Orthotopic Neobladder Versus Indiana Pouch in Women: A Comparison of Health Related Quality of Life Outcomes[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Little is known about the health related quality of life of women who have undergone continent urinary diversion. We compared health related quality of life outcomes for women who underwent radical cystectomy with an orthotopic neobladder or Indiana pouch. From 1995 to June 2008 a single surgeon (GDS) performed radical cystectomy with an orthotopic neobladder in 47 women and radical cystectomy with an Indiana pouch in 45. A comprehensive database provided clinical, pathological and outcomes data. The validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index was mailed to 92 patients. Complete data were available for 87% of patients treated with radical cystectomy with an orthotopic neobladder and 93% of those treated with radical cystectomy with an Indiana pouch, with a median followup of 34 and 24 months, respectively (p = 0.8). Median (IQR) age was 65 (58, 71) and 61.5 (51, 67) years for patients with an orthotopic neobladder and Indiana pouch, respectively (p = 0.03). No significant differences were found for pathological stage, nodal status, blood loss, Clavien grade III or greater complications, adjuvant therapy or hospital stay between the 2 treatment groups, or between respondents and nonrespondents. Five-year survival rates for patients with an orthotopic neobladder and Indiana pouch were 65% and 58%, respectively (p = 0.9). There were 21 (75%) living patients with an orthotopic neobladder and 19 (61%) with an Indiana pouch who completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index, and physical (p = 0.53), social (p = 0.97), emotional (p = 0.61), functional (p = 0.55) and radical cystectomy specific (p = 0.54) health related quality of life domains were not significantly different between the groups. Women undergoing radical cystectomy with an orthotopic neobladder vs an Indiana pouch have similar health related quality of life outcomes. Larger series with longer followup and multiple surgeons are necessary to confirm these findings.
Article: Analysis of Continence Rates Following Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Strict Leak-free and Pad-free Continence[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: To propose a strict and specific definition of continence (leak-free and pad-free [LFPF]) and apply it to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) outcomes on the basis of University of California-Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI), as postprostatectomy incontinence is not well defined. A single-institution RARP database was reviewed concerning continence variables prospectively recorded by the UCLA-PCI. Specific responses to urinary function and continence items were reviewed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. From February 2003 to September 2007, a total of 1005 of 1500 RARP patients had data available for review. At baseline, only 73% of these patients were LFPF. This decreased to 4%, 9%, 17%, 24%, and 28% at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, respectively. Applying less strict definitions, at 24 months, 68% of patients reported no pad use and 90% of patients reported no pad use or the use of a security pad. When stratified by baseline LFPF status, patients not LFPF at baseline had higher baseline international prostate symptom score scores, lower urinary function scores, lower urinary bother scores, and larger prostate weights. Patients LFPF at baseline disproportionately regained LFPF continence starting 6 months after surgery compared with those not LFPF at baseline: 20% vs 9% (P = .005), 27% vs 15% (P = .0009), and 33% vs 15% (P = .0146) at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. A strict definition of urinary continence results in more conservative postoperative outcomes. Preoperative LFPF status can be predictive of postoperative LFPF continence. However, only one-third of patients LFPF at baseline returned to LFPF at 24 months.
Article: Continued improvement of perioperative, pathological and continence outcomes during 700 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Several robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) series have reviewed the impact of the initial learning curve on perioperative outcomes. However, little is known about the impact of experience on urinary and sexual outcomes. Herein, we review the perioperative, pathological and functional outcomes of our initial 700 consecutive procedures with at least 1 year follow up. From 2003-2006, 700 consecutive men underwent RARP at a single, academic institution. Perioperative data and pathologic outcomes were prospectively collected. Validated, UCLA-PCI-SF36v2 quality-of-life questionnaires were also obtained at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months following surgery. Outcomes between groups (cases 1-300, 301-500, and 501-700) were compared. Mean operative time (OT) and blood loss significantly decreased during the experience (286, 198, 190 min; p <or= 0.001; 266, 190, 169 ml; p <or=0.001). Positive surgical margin (PSM) rate decreased in pT2 patients (15% versus 10% versus 7%; p = 0.03) despite operating on men with higher grade disease (biopsy GS>or=7 in 24%, 40%, 44%; p <or= 0.001). At 12 months postRARP, pad free continence rate was 81% when self reported and 62% when assessed by the UCLA-PCI-SF36v2 questionnaire in the initial group. Continence rates improved to 93% and 75%, respectively, for cases 501-700 (p <or= 0.05). Furthermore, significant improvement in continence rates between consecutive case groups was observed at all postoperative time points. Potency rate was 83% (bilateral nerve preservation) and 56% (unilateral nerve preservation) at 12 months when self reported and 63% and 37% respectively by the UCLA-PCI-SF36v2. No significant differences in sexual function were noted with increased experience. A prolonged learning curve is observed for EBL, OT and pT2-PSM. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is first series demonstrating a continued improvement in urinary continence with increased RARP experience.
Article: Editorial comment.
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The University of Chicago Medical Center
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University of California, Davis
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text:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The federal government says it's
developing new training materials aimed at reducing the most common
causes of fatal accidents at nearly 15,000 U.S. mines.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration says the new training
announced Thursday will focus on preventing fatal cave-ins, falls
and failing to lock equipment and tag it to warn co-workers before
working on it. MSHA says 75 percent of mining deaths since 2000 can
be blamed on those and similarly common causes that get less
attention than high-profile accidents such as explosions and fires.
The agency says it's developing training on 20 separate topics
for coal and other types of mines and quarries. The materials will
be sent to the industry and posted on the agency's Web site.
On the Web:
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


text:
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December is a critical fundraising month for charities. Many people make year-end gifts for tax reasons or to extend the spirit of thanksgiving and generosity to those less fortunate.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers a few Dos and Don'ts when it comes to charity giving, both at holiday time and year-round.
Question: I know I have to take a required minimum distribution from my retirement accounts by the end of the year. How do I know I have done this correctly?
For the second straight year, Kentucky Neighborhood Bank shareholders will receive $3 for each dividend share. And once again, the payouts will come just in time for Christmas.
Construction of a Buffalo Wild Wings at Woodland Commons off Ring Road could start as early as next month after design plans for the restaurant were approved by the Elizabethtown Planning and Zoning Commission.
Question: I am not looking forward to my winter heating bills. Any advice on keeping heating costs down would be greatly appreciated.
It seems impossible, but the New Year and its resolutions approach. Some of the more common resolutions involve careers. Many will resolve to advance their careers or start entirely new ones in 2015.
Classic rock 'n' roll Christmas music played Wednesday at an iconic Elizabethtown restaurant, but no tables and chairs were set for customers.
Question: As a retired government employee, why is my spousal Social Security benefit reduced by two-thirds?
Today we'll sit down at the table to enjoy dinner and talk about all we're thankful for. While reminding yourself of the blessings of friends and family, a steady paycheck or that roof over your head, don't forget to look down at your plate while giving thanks.
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The News-Enterprise is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Elizabethtown, KY, Hardin County and the surrounding area.


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This plugin is working fine. The plugin is giving actual result when the search widget is placed in the footer and sidebar widget, but this plugin is showing wrong search result if I put the search from in header widget. Then the result is giving same for any zip code search, it is not refreshing. Please me me out..
Pinaki Bisi


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Definición de pelota en inglés:
sustantivo[mass noun]
1A Basque or Spanish game played in a walled court with a ball and basket-like rackets attached to the hand.
Oraciones de ejemplo
- Basque immigrants began building pelota courts soon after they arrived in the United States, and their love of the sport is considered an important factor in unifying the American Basque community.
- After watching a game of pelota, I sat on my balcony and got drunk on a dramatic view of rocky ridges calmed down by sheep, cows and farmers.
- We passed what looked like three-sided open-air squash courts - frontons, he said, built by Basque settlers who wanted to play pelota in their new home.
1.1 [count noun] The ball used in pelota.
Oraciones de ejemplo
- It's played with a pelota, a rock-hard ball five-sixths the size of a baseball, and with the explosive bounce of a golf ball.
- The rock hard pelota crushed the side of his head with a 100 mile per hour impact.
- Ramuntcho is a Basque smuggler and player of pelota, the Basque national game, and the story concerns his adventures and those of his fiancée, Gracieuse.
Spanish, literally 'ball', augmentative of pella, from Latin pila 'ball'.
Palabras que riman con pelotablotter, cotta, cottar, dotter, gotta, hotter, jotter, knotter, otter, plotter, potter, ricotta, rotter, spotter, squatter, terracotta, totter, trotter
For editors and proofreaders
Saltos de línea: pe¦lota
Definición de pelota en:
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Muy popular en Reino Unido
Muy popular en Australia
= de moda