The sign language and hand-writing on OHP are generally used for the communication of Japanese speech to hearing impaired. However, difficulties have been pointed out on the transmission of detailed information and standardized Japanese sign language. As one solution to this problem, we have developed a phonographic typewriting system which can display the Japanese conversation to the hearing impaired without delay and abridgment. It is possible to express delicate and subtle expression by this system. It comprises of21keys which are permitted to be pressed simultaneously in any combination. A word is expressed by a code generated by a combination of the keys. Personal computer translates the received code into Japanese word and displays on OHP, video projector or TV monitor immediately. The hearing impaired who experimentally read the Japanese conversation by this system evaluated that it is easier to understand the contents of speech than by the sign language. The typist can operate this system for a long time without rest. It can also be used as a high speed typing keyboard of word-processing system or personal computer.

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In recent years, microsurgery or the conducting of surgical operations under a microscope, has become a frequent phenomena on the fields of ophthalmology, otohinolaryngology, orthopedics, brain surgery etc. In order to conduct the resection suturing of minute nerves and blood vessels under a microscope in such operations, it requires careful attention and a high level of dexterity on the part of the surgeon. In order to help surgeon conduct such an operation with safety and accuracy, robotics, image processing and measuring techniques and laser technology can be employed. We attempted to conduct the robot assisted resection, adhesion and the transplantation of the cornea of a pig and found that non-contact cutting method using laser would be more suitable for this operation to obtain a clear cut profile. Excimer laser is often used for cutting cornea on research level. Currently, we have worked on a laser scanning system which gives us high versatility of cutting lines and high accuracy of positioning of the beam. This paper describes the configuration of the system, measuring method and interactive software which simulates an operation on a monitor. Some results of measurements are also presented and discussed.

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In the conventional Wagner's procedure for the measurement of phase characteristics, it is necessary to maintain the amplitude ratio of the fundamental frequency component to the third harmonic component in the output waveforms as 3 to 1. Otherwise, it is necessary to follow a tedious procedure of computation. The accuracy of the conventional Wagner's procedure is poor because the phase delay is computed from the height of the peaks in the output waveforms. In this paper wepropose to enrol a zeromethod into Wagner's procedure in order to improve the accuracy of the measurement of the phase delay. In the proposed procedure it is only necessary to make the height of the peaks equal to each other, and this can more accurately be done than the measurement of the height of the peaks. Consequently, zero method improves the accuracy of the measurement of the phase delay.

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For the purpose of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO), a liquid-type oxygenator was developed. It was made of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer(EVAL: Kuraray)hollow fibers which have been known to need few amount of anticoagulant in hemodialysis. The 1.2m² EVAL oxygenator was intracapillarily perfused with standard venous blood drained from an anesthetized dog and extracapillarily infused with 37°C saline solution oxygenated at normal atmospheric pressure with a polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenator(Capiox II 16, Terumo). Oxygen transfer was observed at 2.5ml/min across EVAL membrane between venous blood at the flow rate of 50ml/min and oxygen saturated saline at the flow rate of 1.0L/min while extracapillary pressure was kept 3cmHg higher than intracapillary one. Oxygen carrier solution shifted at the rate of 0.94ml/min/cm Hg across the EVAL membrane was ultrafiltrated with a dialyzer interposed in the blood circuit and recirculated to the solution circuit. However, oxygen transfer disappeared when the transmembrane pressure was reversed. This oxygenator system, functioning not only as an ECMO oxygenator without plasma leakage but also as a dialyzer when oxygen carrier solution was substituted with oxygenated dialysate. This liquid-type multifunctional oxygenator can be effective for the ECMO patient associated with multiple organ failure.

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