Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an open wedge osteotomy utilizing a keyed, wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a keyed, wedge-shaped opening created in a bone. The keys may be disposed in vertical or horizontal arrangements. In addition, a shear rib key hole may be formed adjacent the wedge-shaped opening in the bone.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises at least two keys, laterally offset from one another, for disposition in corresponding keyholes formed in the tibia adjacent to the wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia.

Abstract: Method for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, utilizing an apparatus comprising a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises at least one key for disposition in at least one corresponding keyhole formed in the tibia adjacent to the wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein each of the at least one keys comprises an interior bore for receiving a fixation screw, at least one fixation screw for disposition in the interior bore of the at least one key, and further wherein the apparatus is configured so that when the at least one fixation screw is received in the interior bore, the at least one fixation screw terminates within the bore.

Abstract: A latching female tubing coupler comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation member. The opening is adapted to guide a male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage a coupling feature of the male connector and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation member is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male connector. When the engagement feature is engaged with the coupling feature on a male connector, the fluid conduit of the male connector is held in fluid communication with a fluid conduit of the female connector.

Abstract: A fluid connector system may include a female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: cutting apparatus for forming an osteotomy cut in the tibia, the cutting apparatus comprising: targeting apparatus for identifying a cutting plane through the tibia and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the tibia, parallel to the anterior-posterior slope of the tibia and parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient.

Abstract: An automated process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample. The process includes contacting a sample with a magnetically-responsive solid support and immobilizing a target nucleic acid present in the sample on the solid support. At a first station of an analyzer, the solid support is subjected to a magnetic field and the immobilized target nucleic acid is separated from a non-immobilized component of the sample. A solution comprising the separated target nucleic acid is moved to an incubator of a second station of the analyzer, where the separated target nucleic acid is subjected to an amplification procedure and an amplification product is formed. The amplification product is detected as an indication of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: An automated process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample. The process includes separating the target nucleic acid from other material present in the sample at a first station, transferring the separated target nucleic acid from the first station to a second station using a rotatable transport mechanism, combining the transferred target nucleic acid and reagents for performing an amplification reaction at the second station, and performing an amplification reaction. A product of the amplification reaction is detected as an indication of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: An automated process performed in an analyzer for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample. The process includes separating the target nucleic acid from other material present in the sample, performing an amplification reaction to produce an amplification product indicative of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample, and detecting the amplification product. The amplification reaction can be performed in an open receptacle vessel, such as a test tube.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample. The process is performed in a stand-alone unit and includes separating the target nucleic acid from other material present in the sample, engaging a robotic pipettor to combine the separated target nucleic acid and reagents for performing an amplification reaction, and performing an amplification reaction. A product of the amplification reaction is detected as an indication of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is a female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end.

Abstract: A female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector is disclosed herein. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: A load sensing safety device comprises a pulley shaft carrying a pulley. The pulley, in turn, carries a belt that effectuates movement of the patient lift boom. A biasing element applies a spring force against the pulley shaft to move the pulley shaft in a first direction. A switch that opens and closes responsive to movement of the pulley shaft, whereby the switch opens where the pulley shaft is moved to a first position by movement of the spring in the first direction.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.