Abstract: The invention includes a toploading weighing instrumentality which determines loss on drying by a cylindrical microwave. The cylindrical cavity of the microwave includes a power supply, a magnetron, a power module operatively coupled between the power supply and the magnetron for driving the magnetron, a wave guide communicating with the magnetron and with a microwave containment chamber for delivering energy, and at least one microwave energy sensor for sensing microwave energy or magnetic and/or electric field strengths within the chamber for controlling, inter alia, the loss on drying process of the sample being assayed and determining when the drying process is complete. A precision electronic balance is operatively disposed within the microwave chamber for allowing a specimen being assayed to be weighed. In addition, a ventilation chamber is provided for venting moisture from the microwave chamber. A processing unit provides for data acquisition, processing and storage.

Abstract: A sterile method for preparing stable thrombin component from a single donor's plasma in which the thrombin component is harvested simultaneously from the clotting and adhesive proteins component from the same donor plasma in less than one hour. The combined components provide an improved biological hemostatic agent and tissue sealant by virtue of its freedom from the risk of contaminating viruses or bacteria from allogenic human or bovine blood sources. The thrombin provides polymerization of the clotting and adhesive proteins in less than five seconds, and is sufficiently stable to provide that fast clotting over a six hour period. Further, the clotting times can be predictably lengthened by diluting the thrombin with saline.

Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer rquirements betweeen the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the storage and transfer of a lyophilisate is disclosed. An ampule prior to its sealment has an orifice at one end for the addition of the lyophilisate. The ampule has a body portion formed with flexibly deformable walls and defines a blind bore. After placement of the lyophilisate, the orifice is closed.

Abstract: A cardboard pallet that is constructed of a laminate, such that the top and bottom of the pallet have two plies of material, with the plies mutually orthogonal to one another. The pallet is assembled by attaching stringers and ribs to an inner skin, rotating the inner skin 90° and attaching to an outer skin, and wrapping the inner and outer skins about the stringers. Apertures on the end regions and portals in the bottom region of the pallet accommodate forklift tines or wheels on various material-handling devices. The apertures may be formed to create wear cuffs, to lengthen the life of the pallet.

Abstract: A sample treatment system for automated extraction of compounds is disclosed. The system includes a housing defining an enclosure including a top cover having open ended chambers to receive sample plates on an interposed carriage frame, an automated shuttle means for lateral transportation and vertical lifting of the carriage frame to selectively address the chamber below the sample plate for the throughpassage of fluid from the sample plate and urged by a vacuum pump for evacuating air from a chamber to a degree below atmospheric pressure for through passage of fluid from the sample plate to either a waste plate or a collection plate. The shuttle means includes motor drives for precisely laterally and vertically positioning the carriage frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair which shifts between forward and reverse by virtue of a roller mechanism which grabs in one direction and slips an opposite direction, thereby preventing binding. The shift mechanism is initiated by rotation of a shift paddle which is located on a extremity of a lever arm remote from the roller mechanism.

Abstract: A dual-chambered dispensing device having a single piston. The device is driven by an electric precision motor. Each chamber is capable of aspiration and dispensation. When one chamber is aspirating, the other is dispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling hydraulic systems. The control apparatus (module) accepts a variety of input forms, and the output is user-configurable to control both sides of an attached coil. The master module is programmable via a graphical user interface defining states and conditions triggering transitions between states. The master module may be combined with slave modules on a connection bus to control many subsystems. Reprogramming of the master module may occur in the field by use of flash memory, and input/output characteristics may be adjusted during operation of the system, allowing adjustment of systems exhibiting nonlinear response characteristics.

Abstract: A gaming device having a first chance opportunity and a second, serially dependent, chance opportunity is provided. The first chance opportunity is preferably a multiple reel game having a special outcome for triggering the second chance opportunity. The second chance opportunity is preferably a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to a tower atop the reel game. The first of the wheels will spin and provide an outcome upon a specified outcome of the reel game. Each successive wheel will spin when a specified outcome is depicted on a previous wheel. This will continue until either the specified outcome does not occur or the last wheel is spun. In another version, plural wheels are each uniquely related—one to a given reel, such that a certain reel outcome will energize its associated wheel only. Multiple wheels, when synchronized to a certain outcome, lead to a bigger wheel for a jackpot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing abrasion on an infant's nose and adjacent areas when used in conjunction with respiratory administration devices.

Abstract: A compressed air sprayer used for applying textured material to surfaces, in which the reservoir of texture material is transported on the operator's body using an integrated harness system. The sprayer tank may rest upright on the ground when not being worn, and may be filled in this orientation without damaging delivery components attached to the bottom of the tank. A handle is provided on the tank for proper positioning and transport.

Abstract: A gaming device and method having a primary display and a plurality of symbols on the primary display which leads to a first bonus. The first bonus is a serpentine path over which a character must traverse in order to achieve a second bonus in which the character moves along in a vehicle on a road “in a movie simulation”. The character stops at at least one of a plurality of mercantile establishments. A second round may be accessed from the primary game without the intervening bonus game.

Abstract: A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game is played toward a winning outcome, and in which a secondary game is played concurrently with the primary game, using outcomes on the primary game to determine the outcome of the secondary game. The secondary game is entirely different from the primary game, and play continues on the secondary game through successive primary games. The player may increase the chances of winning the secondary game by either increasing the wager, which increases the total number of outcomes that apply to the secondary game, or by choosing a variation of the secondary game that has more winning outcomes possible.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the storage and transfer of a lyophilisate, oncolytic, mutagenic, or other prescription is disclosed. An ampule prior to its being sealed has an orifice at one end for the addition of the lyophilisate, for example or one component of a multi-component mixture. After placement of the lyophilisate, the orifice is sealed. The ampule has a body portion formed with flexibly deformable walls and with the sealed orifice defines a blind bore. An opening of the ampule is also included and has a tapered section adapted to frictionally fit over a taper of a male luer-type fitting commonly found on syringes and needleless cannulas. The opening is protected by a frangible cap integrally formed during manufacture. By removing the cap and docking the opening with a syringe, liquid enters the ampule for mixing with the dry contents in the ampule without ambient air.

Abstract: A wheelchair drive mechanism having a transmission providing forward, rearward and neutral motion through movement of a drive arm in an arcuate path.