Abstract: Devices for sampling gastro-intestinal material are disclosed. In one arrangement a device comprises a capsule body that has a sample input valve. A suction mechanism is provided that is capable of generating a partial vacuum within the capsule body and thereby drawing gastro-intestinal material into the capsule body through the sample input valve. An actuator actuates the suction mechanism. The actuator comprises a dissolvable element and is configured so that the dissolvable element dissolves in a predetermined region of the gastro-intestinal tract and the dissolving of the dissolvable element causes actuation of the suction mechanism. The suction mechanism comprises a biasing member restrained by the dissolvable element prior to actuation of the suction mechanism. The dissolving of the dissolvable element releases the biasing member. The biasing member expands a sample chamber within the capsule body on release of the biasing member, and generates the partial vacuum within the capsule body.

Abstract: An incline elevator with a load carrying unit running on a U-shaped track. The load carrying unit is mounted on trucks engaging the track. Below the trucks are swivelably mounted eccentric safety devices, with roller guides spring loaded against the interior walls of the channel, and eccentric brakes retracted during normal operation or extended during emergencies like a break in the elevator hoist cable. The eccentric brakes are retracted when both mechanically and electrically driven linkages are engaged. The brakes are retracted when tension is present in the hoist cable, and when electrical speed sensors sense an underspeed condition. The eccentric brakes deploy when either there is a hoist cable break, an overspeed condition, or an incline elevator power failure. The eccentric brakes are spring loaded to swing out, engaging the interior walls of the channel of the track, and jam in position stopping the load carrying unit.

Abstract: An incline elevator with a load carrying unit running on a U-shaped track. The load carrying unit is mounted on trucks engaging the track. Below the trucks are swivelably mounted eccentric safety devices, with roller guides spring loaded against the interior walls of the channel, and eccentric brakes retracted during normal operation or extended during emergencies like a break in the elevator hoist cable. The eccentric brakes are retracted when both mechanically and electrically driven linkages are engaged. The brakes are retracted when tension is present in the hoist cable, and when electrical speed sensors sense an underspeed condition. The eccentric brakes deploy when either there is a hoist cable break, an overspeed condition, or an incline elevator power failure. The eccentric brakes are spring loaded to swing out, engaging the interior walls of the channel of the track, and jam in position stopping the load carrying unit.