Abstract: A vehicle floating nut assembly is part of a body mounting fixture that couples a vehicle body onto a vehicle frame. The floating nut assembly has a nut element that floats with in a nut retainer assembly. At least one of the sliding surfaces located between the nut element and the retainer assembly is coated with a coating resistant material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Thus, the nut retainer assembly is arranged so that the nut element is slideable relative to the planar surface of the retainer assembly within a predetermined range of movement. Several floating nut assemblies are utilized to fixedly couple the vehicle body to the vehicle frame in which one of the vehicle floating nut assemblies includes is arranged to only allow limited movement of the nut element in one linear direction.

Abstract: An anti-prying device for limiting thefts caused by prying a safe from its anchorings. The anti-prying device including a member which is extended between a safe protrusion and a floor. The anti-prying device limits access between the floor and the safe protrusion to limit inserting a prying element therebetween.

Abstract: A tool allowing both the inflation and deflation of air-filled bags such as dunnage bags is disclosed. The tool comprises rotatable controls to easily and safely manipulate both the flow of air into the device and the mode of operation between inflation and deflation. A venturi tube is used to draw air rapidly from a bag when the tool is deployed in deflation mode, while a radial vent system dissipates the force of the air exiting the device during deflation.

Abstract: A method and device for ensuring address information of a wireless terminal device in a wireless local area network, the network comprising; an access point for setting up a communication connection to the terminal device, the method comprising establishing a communication connection between the terminal device and the access point (101), and relaying data packets from the terminal device to the network and from the network to the terminal device (105). The method further comprising the steps at the access point: detecting an IP address of the terminal device in response to the established communication connection (103), associating the detected IP address of the terminal device to the MAC address of the terminal device (104), and comparing that the address information of the terminal device on the relayed data packets are corresponding to the associated address information (111, 112).

Abstract: Assemblies are provided for collecting oral fluid from a mouth of a subject using a hydrophobic/hydrophilic sample collection tip. A sample collection assembly includes a sample collection tip configured for being placed within the mouth, and a conduit in fluid communication with the sample collection tips. The sample collection tip includes a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic outer surface. In this manner, the tendency of analytes within the sample to stick to the interior of the sample collection tip is minimized, while allowing wetting of the outer surface of the sample collection tip with the sample to facilitate its collection. The sample collection assembly can further include a hand piece that has a tip on which the sample collection tip is mounted, and through which the conduit can extend. The sample collection tip can have a bore in which the conduit is disposed, e.g., by bonding.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for flowing a single sample through a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers. A flow immunoassay assembly for testing a single sample, includes a sample feed port, a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers for performing a plurality of different assays on the sample, a plurality of sample flow channels in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, and one or more sample drive assemblies configured to pump the sample through the plurality of sample flow channels into the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers. In this manner, several immunoassay tests can be simultaneously performed on the sample.

Abstract: A system, method, and assembly are provided for identifying one or more analytes within bodily fluids, such as saliva. The system includes an analyte tester, an oral aspirator, a conduit that is in fluid communication between the oral aspirator and the tester, and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit. In this manner, the aspirated oral fluid can be pumped directly from the aspirator into the analyte tester for identification of one or more oral fluid analytes. The analyte tester can be a flow immunoassay tester that identifies the five NIDA drugs-of-abuse, and can be configured to identify up to ten different drugs or other analytes. The analyte tester can also be portable, so that it can be conveniently used areas remote from laboratories. The tester may include a chemistry cassette and a test console configured for receiving the chemistry cassette. In this case, the conduit may be in fluid communication with the chemistry cassette.

Abstract: Method and assemblies are provided for selectively distributing and dispensing fluids using a rotary valve for purposes such as performing immunoassay testing. A rotary valve includes a stator and rotor disposed within the stator. The rotor is clockable between a dispense configuration, a first auxiliary dispense configuration, and a second auxiliary dispense configuration. When the rotor is clocked in the dispense configuration, it includes a plurality of dispense channels connected between a plurality of entry dispense ports and a plurality of exit dispense ports disposed in the stator. When the rotor is clocked in the first auxiliary dispense configuration, the rotor includes a first plurality of auxiliary dispense channels connected between a plurality of auxiliary entry dispense ports disposed on the stator and the plurality of exit dispense ports.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing self sealing chambers by interference fitting barriers within the chambers are provided. A method of substantially sealing a chamber includes providing a die plate through which a channel extends and a compression plate through which a tapered channel extends. The tapered channel includes a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening. The second opening is equal to or smaller than the chamber opening. The method further includes providing a chamber adapter that has a female portion and a passage extending therethrough, mating the chamber adapter female portion with a compression plate male portion, and associating the chamber with the chamber adapter passage, e.g., by disposing the chamber within the chamber adapter passage.

Abstract: Methods for accurately mixing two solutions, e.g., buffer and sample solutions, are provided. A method of mixing first and second fluids using first, second, and third chambers includes selecting a fluid mixture r, providing the first chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1, providing the third chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2, disposing the first fluid in the first chamber, disposing the second fluid in the second chamber, moving a first plunger within the first chamber at a speed S1 towards a first port to dispense the first solution from the first chamber into the third chamber, and moving a second plunger substantially simultaneously with the first plunger within the third chamber at a speed S2 away from the second port to dispense the second solution from the second chamber into the third chamber, wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r).

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for performing an assay on a sample for drugs and alcohol. A drug and alcohol assay assembly includes a sample feed port, and immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent, and a first sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the immunoassay reaction chamber. The assembly further includes an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent, and a second sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the alcohol reaction chamber. The assembly can further include a first buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, a second buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a reagent chamber disposed within the buffer flow channel. The reagent chamber can contain dry alcohol reagent.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for detecting alcohol using a reconstituted reagent solution. An alcohol reaction assembly includes an alcohol reaction chamber, a reagent chamber in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the reagent chamber. The alcohol reaction assembly further includes a buffer dispense plunger disposed within the buffer chamber for dispensing buffer from the buffer chamber, through the reagent chamber, and into the alcohol reaction chamber, where it hydrates dry reagent therein to produce a reagent solution. The alcohol reaction assembly further includes a calibrator chamber in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a calibrator dispense plunger disposed within the calibrator chamber to dispense a predetermined quantity of alcohol into the alcohol reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for transmitting and detecting energy within a read cell. An orthogonal read assembly includes an immunoassay reaction chamber, a read cell having a lumen in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, a transmitter configured to transmit energy through the lumen, and a detector configured to sense energy emitted transversely from the lumen. The transmitter can include an optical transmitter, such as a laser, and the detector can include an optical detector, e.g., a silicon diode. The optical transmitter can transmit optical energy at an oblique entry angle to the lumen, e.g., 45°, and the optical energy can be sensed by the optical detector at an angle substantially perpendicular to the lumen. The read cell can be composed of a transparent plastic and can be parallel-pipe shaped.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for scanning a flow immunoassay assembly. A flow immunoassay scanning assembly includes a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, a plurality of read cells in fluid communication with the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, a detector having a sensing beam, and a scanning drive assembly configured to translate the detector to intersect the plurality of read cells with the sensing beam. The detector includes an optical detector, and each of the immunoassay reaction chambers contains fluorescent labeled antigen that is displaced when an analog to the fluorescent labeled antigen flows through the immunoassay reaction chamber. Thus, the fluorescent labeled antigen can be detected by the optical detector when flowed through the corresponding read cell. The detector can also be configured, such that the sensing beam intersects the plurality of read cells at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the read cells.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for flowing sample through a flow immunoassay assembly using one or more plungers. The flow immunoassay assembly includes an immunoassay reaction chamber, a sample distribution chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a sample dispense plunger being movable within the sample distribution chamber to dispense the sample from the sample distribution chamber into the immunoassay reaction chamber. The flow immunoassay assembly can further include a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a buffer dispense plunger movable within the buffer chamber to dispense buffer from the buffer chamber into the immunoassay reaction chambers.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for mixing a sample and a buffer. A sample/buffer mixing assembly includes a sample collection chamber, a buffer chamber containing a buffer, a mixing chamber, and one or more plungers. The sample collection chamber is in fluid communication with a sample collection interface device. The mixing chamber includes a sample port adjacent the sample collection chamber, and a buffer port adjacent the buffer chamber. The plungers are in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber and the buffer chamber, and can be moved to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port, and the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the buffer port. In this manner, the dispensed sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution within the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Rotary valves with rotors and compliant linings are provided. A rotary valve includes a rigid hollow stator and a rotor disposed within the stator. The rotor includes a rigid core and a compliant lining injection molded onto the rigid core, wherein the compliant lining is sealingly engaged with an inner bearing surface of the stator and includes one or more surface channels that can be placed into fluid communication with one or more ports disposed on the stator. The rigid core is composed of polycarbonate and the compliant lining is composed of polyurethane. The surface channels can be, e.g., arcuate or longitudinal surface channels. The rigid core can include one or more through channels, in which case, the one or more surface channels can intersect the one or more through channels to form a continuous channel.

Abstract: Assemblies are provided for collecting a sample from a mouth using an integrated sample collection tip. A sample collection assembly includes a sample collection body configured for being placed within the mouth, wherein the sample collection body includes a bore and one or more pores. The sample collection assembly further includes a conduit that disposed within the bore of the sample collection body and that is in fluid communication with the one or more pores. The conduit is bonded within the bore. The sample collection assembly can further include a hand piece that has a tip on which the sample collection body is mounted, and through which the conduit can extend. For example, the rear surface of the sample collection body can be bonded to the front surface of the sample collection tip. The pores can include a plurality of micropores. The sample collection body can be hydrophobic, and a hydrophilic surfactant can be disposed on the outer surface of the sample collection body.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing current and/or voltage in a utility system including a plurality of power lines. In particular, a central controller is in communication with and enables a phase-to-phase relationship among current and voltage sensing units for a plurality of different power lines.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing current and/or voltage in a utility system including a plurality of power lines. In particular, a central controller is in communication with and enables a phase-to-phase relationship among current and voltage sensing units for a plurality of different power lines.