Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: A therapy system includes a patient support apparatus and a pneumatic therapy device that is coupleable to the patient support apparatus. The therapy device may receive power and air flow from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A film coater for applying a coating material to selected areas on a target substrate, such as a printed circuit board, having a vented dispenser body with a plunger moveable therein between an open and closed position. A flow of pressurized air which moves the plunger to the open position is controlled by a valve carried by the dispenser body, and a plurality of springs return the plunger to the closed position. The number of return springs is selected to provide a variable biasing force so that movement of the plunger is controlled to eliminate or at least significantly reduce hammering, tapering and drooling, particularly when the dispenser is operated intermittently.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a conformal coating to circuit boards which includes fluid circuits for applying coating material, solvent and drying circuits for cleaning the coating material circuits, and both a solvent dock and a nitrogen dock for the coating application nozzle to prevent skin-over of various coating materials thereon between coatings. Changeover controls and circuits for changing coating materials are disclosed, as well as solvent dump and replenishment circuits for the applicator nozzle solvent dock, and a supply line and cup for the alternative nitrogen dock.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a spray device having a spray nozzle relative to a target substrate, which apparatus includes drive mechanisms for moving the spray device in the X, Y and Z directions, and separate mechanisms for rotating the spray nozzle relative to the spray device and for tilting the spray nozzle relative to the spray device and including a pressure regulator to vary the width of the spray pattern as the spray device moves relative to the target substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spray coating selected areas of a circuit board with an insulative coating material without coating regions of the circuit board to be left uncoated. A liquid spray device emits the coating material and an air assist attachment connected to the liquid spray device directs jets of air into impinging relation with the coating material emitted therefrom to transform the coating material into an atomized, shaped spray pattern for coating the selected areas. The air assist attachment can be disabled so that the spray device transforms the coating material into a non-atomized, shaped spray pattern for coating selected areas without coating regions of the circuit board to be left uncoated.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an airless ribbon nozzle having a nozzle tip formed with a nozzle bore tapering radially inwardly from an inlet end to a semispherical-shaped discharge end which intersects a rectangular-shaped discharge slot. The nozzle is mounted in position on a coating dispenser such that the inlet of the nozzle tip communicates with a coating passageway within the dispenser to receive coating material which is emitted from the discharge slot of the nozzle tip in a wide, splash-free, leaf-shaped pattern.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for applying a stripe of fluid coating material over the longitudinal seams of a series of can bodies moving along a can forming line with the coating apparatus within the interior of the can bodies including a fluid manifold module removably secured to an end cap member and communicating with sources of air and fluid coating material under pressure through the end cap member, a coating module removable secured to said end cap member and having a pneumatically operated valve therein for selectively opening and closing a fluid flow passageway to control the discharge of coating material onto the seams of can bodies, and preferably a solenoid valve mounted in the air flow passageway in the fluid manifold module adjacent the coating module for controlling the flow of air to operate the coating material valve.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun for spraying solid particulate powder materials while entrained in a gas medium, including an electrically non-conductive housing having an electrode extending forwardly therefrom and a straight electrically non-conductive powder transport tube adjustably and replaceably mounted within the housing so as to enable the discharge end of the tube to be positionably adjusted relative to the electrode or to be replaced with a tube of differing internal diameter so as to vary the transport velocity at which the powder is emitted from the discharge end of the tube.

Abstract: A spray gun for airless atomization and electrostatic deposition of a coating material upon a substrate, including a gun nozzle tip element serving to prevent arcing from the gun nozzle tip to an adjacent electrical ground. As disclosed, the airless spray gun includes a metallic nozzle tip from which atomized liquid coating material is emitted, and the thus-emitted coating material is charged by an electrode mounted on the nozzle which is electrically isolated from the metallic tip. During use of the spray gun, the metallic tip becomes charged via electrical charge conduction through the emitted atomized coating material. To prevent arcing from the charged tip to an electrical ground, a pair of resistive threads are secured in bores in the spray gun nozzle, each having a first end electrically connected to the conductive tip and a second end extending slightly beyond the nozzle.