Environment International, Vol. 12, pp. I-XVI, 1986 0160-4120/86 $3.00 + .00 Printed in the USA. All fights reserved. Copyright © 1986 Pergamon Journals Ltd.

NEW PATENTS

This Section contains abstracts and, where appropriate, illustrations of recently issued United States patents and published patent applications filed from over 30 countries under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This information was obtained from recent additions to the Pergamon PATSEARCH ® online database in accordance with interest profiles developed by the Editors. Further information about Pergamon PATSEARCH ® can be obtained from Pergamon InfoLine Inc., 1340 Old Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101 U.S.A.

Copies of complete patents announced in this Section are available from Pergamon InfoLine Inc. for $8 per copy. Payment with order is required. Orders outside North America add $2 for air postage. Order by patent number for Pergamon InfoLine only.

4503854

LASER S U R G E R Y

Geza J Jako

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A laser surgical system for use in the operating room is suspended on the ceiling and can be moved horizontally in an X-Y direction. The sys- tem has the laser tubes, power supplies and cooling unit in the suspended assembly. A car- bon dioxide laser for cutting and a neodymium YAG laser for coagulation excite a common op- tical channel. A third laser argon, or other wavelength, can be added to the system. The common optical channel couples the laser beams to an articulate arm delivery system, or a micro- scope micromanipulator delivery system or fiberoptics delivery system. The microscopic micromanipulator delivery system is motorized so it can be easily moved in any direction. This motorized system is also compatible with a microprocessor for automated surgery. The sys- tem also has a built-in digital television system for demonstration, recording or as a robotic eye for association wtih a computer that may help control the laser surgery.

4 ~ 3 ~ 2

H E A T E X C H A N G E R FOR R E C O V E R I N G W A S T E H E A T

Thomas C Zolik

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Heat exchanger means for extracting heat trom the flue gases of a warm air furnace is in the form of a tube wound spirally to define a first pas- sageway wherein ambient air is heated by the flue gases passing through a second passageway bet- ween segments of the first passageway for the ambient air, the tube being provided with a deflector directing the flue gases through the second passageway and a shroud for controlling exhaust gases passing through and leaving the convolute tube.

4504151

A P P A R A T U S F O R T H E T R E A T M E N T O F W A S T E S L U D G E

Walter W Tomyn assigned to Michigan Disposal Inc

The apparatus is for mixing chemicals with waste sludge to render the sludge suitable for use