Abstract: An animal restraint jacket includes an elongated sheet formed of a fabric which is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. A pair of leg holes are formed in the sheet proximal to and spaced from the opposing ends of the sheet, such that the jacket is fastened along the chest of the animal. An aperture is formed in the sheet midway between the ends, and a pair of elastic straps are attached at their ends adjacent the aperture, to receive and hold a catheter or other medical device extending through the aperture. A flap is attached along one side edge to the sheet and extends to cover the aperture and elastic straps, and any medical device secured under the straps.

Abstract: A method of resampling of a sinogram from a fan beam SPECT includes the steps of angular resampling of the sinogram using frequency modulation, and thence transfers resampling of the sinogram using linear interpolation. This permits the use of parallel geometry algorithms in quantitative work without the expected degradation of resolution or the introduction of artifacts.

Abstract: The method for automatic testing of a laboratory specimen of the present invention includes the initial step of obtaining a specimen to be tested and placing the specimen in a specimen container. Information regarding the specimen and any tests to be conducted thereon is entered into a computerized laboratory information system (LIS) which is connected to and communicates with a laboratory automation system (LAS) software. The specimen container is inserted in a specimen carrier, and the carrier marked with an identification code which uniquely identifies the specimen and, by virtue of the identification code, the tests to be conducted thereon. The specimen contained within the specimen carrier is entered into the LAS at a receiving station, which reads the identification code and thereby determines:1. If tests which require process/steps which can run at variety of workstations;2. If tests can have certain steps merged in an effort to ensure that they are carried out properly;3.

Abstract: A method for imbedding a dental implant includes the initial step of casting a model of the patient's jaw and teeth in the vicinity of the implant site. A pilot hole is drilled in the implant site of the model, correlating to the ideal angle and location of the implant in the patient's jaw. A guide rod is provided for forming a guide hole in a stent, with a generally cylindrical shaft and a screw portion mounted at the lower end of the shaft. The screw portion is threaded into the pilot hole with the upper portion of the guide rod projecting coaxially in the desired location of the implant. A stent is then fabricated on the model, with the upper end of the guide rod accessible to a removal tool. A crossed slot in the upper end of the guide rod permits use of a screwdriver to remove the guide rod from the stent and model, thereby forming a guide hole in the stent. The guide sleeve is then journaled in the guide hole in the stent, and the stent is placed onto the patient's jaw and teeth.

Abstract: An elevator for specimen carriers includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks.

Abstract: A NMR conformal solenoidal coil includes a generally cylindrical parallel-wound solenoidal coil which can be oriented at any angle within the plane transverse to the static magnetic field. The cylindrical shape has been modified to conform to fit closely over hands, wrist, and feet. One end remains circular while the opposite is oval. A diagonal winding of the conductors about the generally cylindrical form are in parallel with the diagonally cut ends of the coil form, such that the coil windings are in a plane orthogonal to the transverse plane; thereby optimizing their efficiencies.

Abstract: A NMR abdominal coil array includes four critically overlapped resonant loops fixed upon a generally "C-shaped" (curved) coil form with an anterior housing pivotally connected and supported by a posterior form. Three of the loops are fixed to an anterior housing which is curved from a generally horizontal upper end to a generally vertical lower end, and pivotally connected to a generally vertically oriented flange forming the upper end of the posterior housing. This upper end of the posterior housing contains the remaining resonant loop. The anterior housing is pivotally connected to the posterior housing about a single horizontal axis, permitting both slight adjustment for patient size, and substantial movement for entry and exit of a patient.

Abstract: A NMR Quadrature Detection Array includes two generally linear arrays; one oriented in a horizontal plane and sensitive to vertically oriented changing magnetic flux, and the other oriented in a vertical plane bisecting the horizontal plane and sensitive to horizontally oriented flux changes. Each horizontal coil is electronically paired with a vertical coil such that their NMR signals are combined in a quadrature fashion before transmission to the NMR system preamplifier. The coil arrays are sized to accommodate easy positioning within the NMR system table top assembly as well as to facilitate rapid and easy patient positioning about the coil elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a laboratory specimen carrier onto and off of a conveyor track includes a conveyor track with a carrier transport surface. A support surface is mounted adjacent the conveyor track, and a pair of jaw members are operably mounted on a frame next to the support surface. The jaw members are operable to grip and release a specimen carrier between the jaws, and the frame is operable to move the jaw members over the track and over the support platform to thereby transfer a specimen carrier.