Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a fastener driver, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners to the fastener driver, a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke, and a motor configured to move the fastener driver through a return stroke. The motor is operable upon completion of the drive stroke, to move the fastener driver partially through the return stroke a predetermined amount to partially pre-compress the spring. The motor is further operable to fully compress the spring after receiving a signal for the drive stroke.

Abstract: A fastener driving device including a housing assembly, a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly, and a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners that are provided to the nose assembly. The fastener driving device also includes a fastener driver and a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke. A motor and a coupler mechanism is also provided for moving the fastener driver through a return stroke.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes various interconnected systems within a device housing for efficiently regulating and transferring compressed gas provided by user-replaceable cartridges to drive a fastener securely into a workpiece. An improved cartridge containment system is provided for loading and securing compressed gas cartridges. An improved gas management system is provided, including an improved multi-function regulator, for managing gas flow. An improved valve system is provided for controlling gas flow, including an improved valve module. An improved drive system is provided for efficiently using compressed gas to drive fasteners.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a fastener driver, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners to the fastener driver, a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke, and a motor configured to move the fastener driver through a return stroke. The motor is operable upon completion of the drive stroke, to move the fastener driver partially through the return stroke a predetermined amount to partially pre-compress the spring. The motor is further operable to fully compress the spring after receiving a signal for the drive stroke.

Abstract: The invention relates to stannous halide stabilized and/or enhanced alkaline solutions to be used in combination with calorimetric, luminescent and fluorescent assays. The buffered solutions stabilize hydrogen peroxide at a pH greater than 7.0 and preferably greater than 9.0. By stabilizing and/or enhancing hydrogen peroxide in the buffer system, the compositions used in such assays may have a higher shelf-life and provide enhanced detection of the subject analyte.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes various interconnected systems within a device housing for efficiently regulating and transferring compressed gas provided by user-replaceable cartridges to drive a fastener securely into a workpiece. An improved cartridge containment system is provided for loading and securing compressed gas cartridges. An improved gas management system is provided, including an improved multi-function regulator, for managing gas flow. An improved valve system is provided for controlling gas flow, including an improved valve module. An improved drive system is provided for efficiently using compressed gas to drive fasteners.

Abstract: The invention relates to stannous halide stabilized and/or enhanced alkaline solutions to be used in combination with colorimetric, luminescent and fluorescent assays. The buffered solutions stabilize hydrogen peroxide at a pH greater than 7.0 and preferably greater than 9.0. By stabilizing and/or enhancing hydrogen peroxide in the buffer system, the compositions used in such assays may have a higher shelf-life and provide enhanced detection of the subject analyte.

Abstract: Tomographic methods and device for obtaining images of microscopic specimens such as Pap smears.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes an integrated function member that performs at least two of the following three functions: a check pawl function, a last fastener-retaining function, and a dry fire lock-out function. In the disclosed embodiment, the integrated function member is provided as a lever-type structure that constitutes part of the access door assembly by means of which access is gained to the fastener drive track along which fasteners (e.g., roofing nails) are fed to the driving portion of the tool. Also disclosed is an improved method of retaining the last nail in the drive track by a lateral head gripping action and a tool for performing the method.

Abstract: A method for producing standard control samples to be used to evaluate disease states or trauma that involve apoptosis or suppression of apoptosis is disclosed. Also disclosed are standard control samples produced by the method. The control samples comprise natural or artificial tissues treated in vitro to display reproducible, predetermined indicators of apoptosis that are equivalent to indicators of apoptotic status of corresponding tissues and organs of a living subject.

Abstract: A fastening device for driving a fastener into a workpiece by effecting multiple blows upon the fastener comprises a housing and a striker assembly movably mounted within the housing. The striker assembly includes a driver assembly adapted to strike the fastener to be driven into the workpiece. A nose assembly is movably mounted on the housing and has a fastener drive track along which the driver assembly and the fastener travel when the fastener is driven into the workpiece. The fastening device has a feed mechanism operatively connected to the nose assembly for mechanically advancing the fastener into the fastener drive track. The fastener drive track has a guide surface adjacent the aperture of the nose assembly to direct the fastener as it is driven into the workpiece. A releasable fastener assembly releasably secures the nose assembly to the housing of the fastening device. A control assembly controls the operation of the fastening device to conserve energy.

Abstract: The primary aspect of the present invention it directed to a three-dimensional matrix, a living tissue equivalent, a tissue microarray, methods of making thereof, and methods of using thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional matrix comprises fibroblasts and a fibrin matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional matrix comprises blood plasma, thrombin and fibroblasts. The three-dimensional matrix in accordance with this invention may be used to construct living tissue equivalents, including but not limited to skin, blood vessel, bone, tendon, ligaments, and organ equivalents, among many others. Furthermore, the living tissue equivalents may be used to test the effect of various agents and to study the mechanism of disease and the efficacy of various treatment protocols.

Abstract: The invention relates to stannous halide stabilized and/or enhanced alkaline solutions to be used in combination with colorimetric, luminescent and fluorescent assays. The buffered solutions stabilize hydrogen peroxide at a pH greater than 7.0 and preferably greater than 9.0. By stabilizing and/or enhancing hydrogen peroxide in the buffer system, the compositions used in such assays may have a higher shelf-life and provide enhanced detection of the subject analyte.

Abstract: A method for producing standard control samples to be used to evaluate disease states or trauma that involve apoptosis or suppression of apoptosis is disclosed. Also disclosed are standard control samples produced by the method. The control samples comprise natural or artificial tissues treated in vitro to display reproducible, predetermined indicators of apoptosis that are equivalent to indicators of apoptotic status of corresponding tissues and organs of a living subject.

Abstract: A fastening device for driving a fastener into a workpiece by effecting multiple blows upon the fastener comprises a housing and a striker assembly movably mounted within the housing. The striker assembly includes a driver assembly adapted to strike the fastener to be driven into the workpiece. A nose assembly is movably mounted on the housing and has a fastener drive track along which the driver assembly and the fastener travel when the fastener is driven into the workpiece. The fastening device has a feed mechanism operatively connected to the nose assembly for mechanically advancing the fastener into the fastener drive track. The fastener drive track has a guide surface adjacent the aperture of the nose assembly to direct the fastener as it is driven into the workpiece. A releasable fastener assembly releasably secures the nose assembly to the housing of the fastening device. A control assembly controls the operation of the fastening device to conserve energy.

Abstract: A fastening device for driving a fastener into a workpiece by effecting multiple blows upon the fastener comprises a housing and a striker assembly movably mounted within the housing. The striker assembly includes a driver assembly adapted to strike the fastener to be driven into the workpiece. A nose assembly is movably mounted on the housing and has a fastener drive track along which the driver assembly and the fastener travel when the fastener is driven into the workpiece. The fastening device has a feed mechanism operatively connected to the nose assembly for mechanically advancing the fastener into the fastener drive track. The fastener drive track has a guide surface adjacent the aperture of the nose assembly to direct the fastener as it is driven into the workpiece. A releasable fastener assembly releasably secures the nose assembly to the housing of the fastening device. A control assembly controls the operation of the fastening device to conserve energy.

Abstract: A multi-stroke fastening device comprising a housing, a fastener drive track carried by the housing, a striker assembly guide track mounted within the housing, a striker assembly mounted in slidable relation within said guide track, a power drive assembly, and a feed mechanism. The striker assembly includes a driver member constructed and arranged to strike a fastener disposed in the fastener drive track. The striker assembly is constructed and arranged to be moved along the guide track through a plurality of alternating drive strokes and return strokes to effect a plurality of impacts of the driver member upon the fastener in order to drive the fastener into the workpiece. The striker assembly has a substantially constant drive stroke lengths relative to the guide track.

Abstract: A fastening device for driving a fastener into a workpiece by effecting multiple blows upon the fastener comprises a housing and a striker assembly movably mounted within the housing. The striker assembly includes a driver assembly adapted to strike the fastener to be driven into the workpiece. A nose assembly is movably mounted on the housing and has a fastener drive track along which the driver assembly and the fastener travel when the fastener is driven into the workpiece. The fastening device has a feed mechanism operatively connected to the nose assembly for mechanically advancing the fastener into the fastener drive track. The fastener drive track has a guide surface adjacent the aperture of the nose assembly to direct the fastener as it is driven into the workpiece. A releasable fastener assembly releasably secures the nose assembly to the housing of the fastening device. A control assembly controls the operation of the fastening device to conserve energy.

Abstract: A multi-stroke fastening device comprising a housing, a fastener drive track carried by the housing, a striker assembly guide track mounted within the housing, a striker assembly mounted in slidable relation within said guide track, a power drive assembly, and a feed mechanism. The striker assembly includes a driver member constructed and arranged to strike a fastener disposed in the fastener drive track. The striker assembly is constructed and arranged to be moved along the guide track through a plurality of alternating drive strokes and return strokes to effect a plurality of impacts of the driver member upon the fastener in order to drive the fastener into the workpiece. The striker assembly has a substantially constant drive stroke lengths relative to the guide track.