Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for cutting tissues. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the invention relate to cutting tissues into fragments that find use in tissue culture and drug testing applications.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cable guide can be coupled to a nosepiece assembly having a contact end and can be movable between an extended guide position and a retracted guide position relative to the contact end of the nosepiece assembly. A contact trip arm can be adjacent the cable guide and can have a distal end positioned to contact a cable received within a guide recess of the cable guide. The contact trip arm can be movable between an extended arm position corresponding to an inactive state of the tool and a retracted arm position corresponding to an active state of the tool. In addition, the cable guide can have a non-aligned orientation, in which cooperating misalignment stop surfaces can engage each other to stop movement of the self-adjusting cable guide toward the retracted guide position and an aligned orientation in which movement into the retracted guide position is permitted.

Abstract: Frangible connectors can extend between and can alone couple adjacent insulator bodies together. The insulator bodies can also include counteracting frangible connectors that can be spaced from and coupled solely to a single one of the plurality of insulator bodies. The counteracting frangible connectors provide a counteracting shearing operation, which can help counteract the counterclockwise rotational movement that the frangible connectors tend to impart as they are sheared. The insulator bodies can be mounted on staples. The insulator bodies can have an upper bridge profile and the staples can have a lower crown profile opposing the upper bridge profile. The lower crown profile and the upper bridge profile can have opposite end portions that engage each other and can have central portions that are simultaneously spaced from each other to provide a central space between corresponding central portions of the insulator bridge and the staple crown.

Abstract: A fastener magazine of a fastening device may include a track defining an elongated channel with a dispensing end at which fasteners are dispensed from the magazine. A runner positioned in the track may include a release member that projects outward from an outer surface of the runner. A pusher may be positioned in the track and coupled to the runner such that the pusher exerts a force in a direction toward the dispensing end of the track on the fasteners when the runner is in a closed position. A retention member that is attached to a side wall of the track can engage the pusher through an aperture in the track to prevent the pusher from contacting the fasteners until the runner has reached a desired position in the track. The release member can contact the retention member to disengage the retention member from the pusher.

Abstract: A fastener magazine of a fastening device may include a track defining an elongated channel with a dispensing end at which fasteners are dispensed from the magazine. A runner positioned in the track may include a release member that projects outward from an outer surface of the runner. A pusher may be positioned in the track and coupled to the runner such that the pusher exerts a force in a direction toward the dispensing end of the track on the fasteners when the runner is in a closed position. A retention member that is attached to a side wall of the track can engage the pusher through an aperture in the track to prevent the pusher from contacting the fasteners until the runner has reached a desired position in the track. The release member can contact the retention member to disengage the retention member from the pusher.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cable guide can be coupled to a nosepiece assembly having a contact end and can be movable between an extended guide position and a retracted guide position relative to the contact end of the nosepiece assembly. A contact trip arm can be adjacent the cable guide and can have a distal end positioned to contact a cable received within a guide recess of the cable guide. The contact trip arm can be movable between an extended arm position corresponding to an inactive state of the tool and a retracted arm position corresponding to an active state of the tool. In addition, the cable guide can have a non-aligned orientation, in which cooperating misalignment stop surfaces can engage each other to stop movement of the self-adjusting cable guide toward the retracted guide position and an aligned orientation in which movement into the retracted guide position is permitted.

Abstract: Frangible connectors can extend between and can alone couple adjacent insulator bodies together. The insulator bodies can also include counteracting frangible connectors that can be spaced from and coupled solely to a single one of the plurality of insulator bodies. The counteracting frangible connectors provide a counteracting shearing operation, which can help counteract the counterclockwise rotational movement that the frangible connectors tend to impart as they are sheared. The insulator bodies can be mounted on staples. The insulator bodies can have an upper bridge profile and the staples can have a lower crown profile opposing the upper bridge profile. The lower crown profile and the upper bridge profile can have opposite end portions that engage each other and can have central portions that are simultaneously spaced from each other to provide a central space between corresponding central portions of the insulator bridge and the staple crown.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening device which uses compressed air from an internal reservoir to momentarily move a feed piston in a direction away from a drive channel when a trigger is actuated and a fastener is driven into a workpiece. The compressed air can flow from the reservoir to a return chamber by flowing through a passageway to pressurize the return chamber and move the feed piston away from the drive channel. The passageway can be a feed piston pressure tube which received compressed air from the reservoir, passes through one or more bulkheads that separate different chambers of the pneumatic fastening device and has an outlet in the return chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool that has an integrated valve assembly. The integrated valve assembly can have a cylindrical valve assembly housing that can house a portion of a head valve assembly and can also house at least a portion of a trigger valve assembly. The head valve assembly can have a head valve body that can be maintained in a resting state by compressed air. The compressed air that maintains the resting stat of the head valve assembly can be provided by one or more passages formed in the valve assembly housing. The valve assembly housing can also guide the movement of the valve head body when the trigger valve assembly is actuated causing a fastener to be driven into a workpiece. The valve assembly housing can have a circular exhaust seal and a cylindrical exhaust chamber through which compressed air can be exhausted after the driving of a fastener into a work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for clinching nails into workpieces are provided. The apparatus can include a housing assembly including a driving assembly capable of driving a fastener. A nose piece can be arranged with the housing assembly and can define a fastener drive track. A clinching assembly can be arranged with the housing assembly and can include a movable anvil including an anvil tip portion. The movable anvil is capable of being moved into a position whereby the workpieces are held between the anvil tip portion and the nosepiece, while the anvil tip portion is operable to bend a fastener tip into one of the workpieces after being driven through the workpieces.