Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to positon the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaving device includes a housing with a skin contacting surface and at least one cutting blade mounted in the housing, wherein the cutting blade has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape with a first face, a second face opposed to the first face and a cutting edge at the intersection of the first face and the second face. An intersecting line connects the primary bevel of the first face and the secondary bevel of the second face such that a first wedge angle q1 and a second wedge angle q2 are formed. Further, the clearance angle ? between the skin contacting surface and the primary bevel of the first surface is ?11°, the effective cutting angle ? between the skin contacting surface and the bisecting line of the first wedge angle q1 is ?10° and q1>q2.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing process by which a print head prints an image onto predetermined printable area of a label.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting a carrier coupled to a receptacle to a processing station located within a housing of an instrument. The conveyor assembly includes a spur conveyor subassembly and a buffer conveyor subassembly for transporting the carrier from a host conveyor assembly to the spur conveyor subassembly. The spur conveyor subassembly includes (i) a rotatable diverter having at least one recess for receiving and moving the carrier between the buffer conveyor subassembly and the spur conveyor subassembly and (ii) a gripper configured to grasp the carrier and move it from the diverter to the processing position located within the housing of the instrument.

Abstract: An automated conveyor assembly for transporting a carrier coupled to processing receptacle from (i) a carrier conveyor assembly to (ii) a processing position within an instrument, where the automated conveyor assembly includes a gripper configured to selectively grasp a carrier and move between (i) a first position and (ii) the processing position in the instrument. The automated conveyor assembly further includes a diverter defining a recess configured to receive a carrier, the diverter being rotatable between (i) a first position at which the recess is aligned with the carrier conveyor assembly and (ii) a second position at which the recess is aligned with the first position of the gripper.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting a carrier coupled to a receptacle to a processing station located within a housing of an instrument. The conveyor assembly includes a spur conveyor subassembly and a buffer conveyor subassembly for transporting the carrier from a host conveyor assembly to the spur conveyor subassembly. The spur conveyor subassembly includes (i) a rotatable diverter having at least one recess for receiving and moving the carrier between the buffer conveyor subassembly and the spur conveyor subassembly and (ii) a gripper configured to grasp the carrier and move it from the diverter to the processing position located within the housing of the instrument.

Abstract: A rhinological implant for straightening the human septum has a central bridge section, which is flat or bent upward in a barrel-shaped manner, with two side sections on both sides of the bridge section, which extend upwards in a folded manner and symmetrically to the central bridge section at an angle ? of in each case about 90°, and which each have a first subsection which connects directly to the central bridge section and extends parallel thereto, a second subsection, which connects to the respective first subsection and extends at an angle relative thereto, and a third subsection that connects to an end of the respective first subsection opposite the respective second subsection, and extends also at an angle relative to the respective first subsection.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has first and second fastening elements, a connecting element and rib elements. The rib elements lead directly into coupling regions of the first fastening element within the head plate plane and are movably connected thereto. All rib elements are movably connected to a coupling element and are firmly but detachably connected during operation, the coupling element in turn being rigidly connected at the other end to either the first or the second fastening element. The rib elements form the connecting element with the coupling element and are spread sectionally radially from the longitudinal axis in the middle ear in situ with the introduction of a force parallel to the longitudinal axis and thus shorten the axial functional length of the prosthesis, but increase it with the introduction of a force anti-parallel thereto. The rib elements retain, in situ, their adjusted radial position when no force acts.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has a first fastening element for mechanical contact with the tympanic membrane, and a second fastening element for connecting to a member of the ossicular chain, and a connecting element which connects the fastening elements and which has rib elements which can be spread radially outwards and thereby shorten the axial length of the ossicular prosthesis. The rib elements lead directly into coupling regions of the first fastening element and into a coupling element which is rigidly connected to the second fastening element. When a force is introduced in parallel with the longitudinal axis in the direction, the rib elements assume a position located radially further from the longitudinal axis, and shorten the functional length of the prostheses, or increase with the introduction of an antiparallel force.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting a carrier coupled to a receptacle to a processing station located within a housing of an instrument. The conveyor assembly includes a spur conveyor subassembly and a buffer conveyor subassembly for transporting the carrier from a host conveyor assembly to the spur conveyor subassembly. The spur conveyor subassembly includes (i) a rotatable diverter having at least one recess for receiving and moving the carrier between the buffer conveyor subassembly and the spur conveyor subassembly and (ii) a gripper configured to grasp the carrier and move it from the diverter to the processing position located within the housing of the instrument.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to positon the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to positon the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an uncoated cross-linked non-pyrolysed selective vinyl based halopolymer-membrane with a mwco of between 100 and 1000 Da, in the filtration of compounds from liquids comprising organic solvents and/or from liquids with a pH below 2 or above 12.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing process by which a print head prints an image onto predetermined printable area of a label.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an uncoated cross-linked non-pyrolysed selective vinyl based halopolymer-membrane with a mwco of between 100 and 1000 Da, in the filtration of compounds from liquids comprising organic solvents and/or from liquids with a pH below 2 or above 12.