Abstract: A spongy swab (16) is mounted against the distal face (15) of a piston (14) at the end of a push-rod (12). Once humected with a sample fluid, the swab and piston assembly is inserted into a tubular body (30) like the plunger of a syringe. As the swab is pushed and squeezed against the distal end (20) of the body up to a trippable stop, part of the fluid is excreted into a chromatographic immunoassay testing device (21) through a first aperture (19) in a distal section of the body. The remainder of the sample is kept in a sealed chamber (7) between the piston and the end wall of the tubular body until it is excreted through a second aperture (23) for a secondary test by pushing the piston beyond the trippable stop. That preserves the sample within the spongy swab that has been used to collect it; thus preventing the adsorption of the analytes on the surfaces of the sealed chamber, and to provide a convenient and rapid way to extract the remainder of the specimen in a syringe-like manner.

Abstract: A composite structure such as a carbon-fiber surgical table width extender includes a fiber-resin composite body and outer surface protective elements. The protective elements are adhered to the body during curing of the body's thermosetting binding matrix at a given temperature and pressure. The protective elements can include stainless steel elements and thermosetting elements which can be deformably thermoplastic and non-liquid, and simultaneously thermoset at this same temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring device comprises a housing movably supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm. A turret at each end of the arm houses a rotating body connected to a probe. The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar. The rotation of the probes and that of the base are coordinated to keep the probes at a constant angle in relation to the measured surface.

Abstract: A canopy deployment and retraction mechanism particularly suited to cover the cargo compartment of an elongated vehicle such as a railroad car. Each of a series of tarpaulin-supporting, parallel bows has sliders at each end sliding in a pair of funnel-shaped channels having their flat bases vertically secured to the upper inside lateral wall sections of the compartment. The spacing between the bases of the channels is less than the total length of a bow and its sliders and provides a degree of play in order to accommodate slight variations in the width of said compartment, and allows for self-centering of the cover. The shape of the channels allows for the placement of the cover retraction mechanisms such as cables and sliders within the outer periphery of the container, reducing bulk. The downward slope of the channel lower side further improves the evacuation of debris under the wiping action of the traveling sliders.

Abstract: A device to facilitate insertion or threading of a flexible silicone intubation stent into the lacrimal drainage system of a patient. The device has an oblong hollow semi-rigid probe having the flexible stent releasably secured to its blunted distal end. The probe and stent are oriented in a side-by-side configuration and inserted endwise through the punctal opening, down through the nasolacrimal duct and into the nasal cavity. The flexible stent is detached from the distal end of the probe, and the probe withdrawn, leaving the stent in place. The flexible stent can be temporarily secured to the distal end of the probe through a number of means. One preferred way is to friction fit a resilient distal aperture of the stent upon the distal end of the probe and occlude the probe's distal opening. The stent is detached by injecting a pressurized fluid through the channel of the probe thereby forcing the distal end of the stent to pop off.

Abstract: A coating for an orbital implant where the coating has an anterior portion having a different, longer term bioabsorbability than a posterior portion. This allows the implant to have a smooth surface for insertion and to provide reduced irritation to neighboring tissues, to help prevent exposure of the porous core of the implant, and to provide a stable anchorment for extraocular muscles, but which also encourages rapid fibrovascular ingrowth. The coating is marked with a visual indicator to facilitate proper orientation. Shell materials are further selected to allow for sterile packaging, the securing of therapeutic agents thereon, and to provide adequately strong securing of the coating to the core. Apertures are formed through the coating to enhance fluid flow to and from the core, and to provide exposure of the surface of the core to extraocular muscles, and for sutures. The apertures are sized and shaped to reduce irritating surface contact with orbital tissues.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring device (10) comprises a housing (12) rotatively supported on a base (11) and mounting a vertical pillar (13) along which rides a carriage (14) engaged by a horizontally translating arm (15). A turret (18, 19) at each end of the aim houses a rotating body (20, 21) connected to a probe (22, 23). The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors (27, 28, 29, 30) in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable (43) controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity (16, 17) of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar.

Abstract: A wheel rim protective structure has a closed ring made of a semi-rigid durable plastic material. A plurality of spaced apart durable curved metal clips extend from the inner edge of the ring and are oriented to insert between the tire and rim. Each clip has a number of unidirectional barbs that facilitate installation but resist unwanted extraction by engaging the tire portion. Knurling on the opposite side provides more static friction against the wheel surface. The metal clips also provided a situs for a low profile fastener to allow other structures to be attached to the ring such as decorative panels, lights, flags streamers, or other decorative or counterbalancing structures. The ring and clips can be made from a unitary piece of injection molded material.

Abstract: A versatile, foldable and disposable cutting board (1) for preparing food is made of a thin, resiliently flexible sheet of propylene, stainless steel or other cut-resistant material. The board has a triangular section (11) projecting away from the user to form a distal pouring funnel and spout when the board is folded along its middle by grabbing both sides (4) and moving them toward each other. A narrow fence (6) extending upwardly from the periphery of the board converges at the apex (9) of the triangular section. A rigidizing flange (15) extends outwardly from the upper rim of the fence but is interrupted (16) near the apex. The fence is interrupted along an offset portion (20) of the proximal edge (2) in order to provide clearance for the blade and handle of a chopping or mincing instrument.

Abstract: A coating for an orbital implant where the coating has an anterior portion having a different, longer term bioabsorbability than a posterior portion. This allows the implant to have a smooth surface for insertion and to provide reduced irritation to neighboring tissues, to help prevent exposure of the porous core of the implant, and to provide a stable anchorment for extraocular muscles, but which also encourages rapid fibrovascular ingrowth. The coating is marked with a visual indicator to facilitate proper orientation. Shell materials are further selected to allow for sterile packaging, the securing of therapeutic agents thereon, and to provide adequately strong securing of the coating to the core. Apertures are formed through the coating to enhance fluid flow to and from the core, and to provide exposure of the surface of the core to extraocular muscles, and for sutures. The apertures are sized and shaped to reduce irritating surface contact with orbital tissues.

Abstract: A device and method for enhancing rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in chromatography strip-type rapid IVD devices useful in, for example, clinical, point-of-care, laboratory or over-the-counter settings. The device drives a flow fluid, primarily under the force of gravity alone, through a first chamber having a porous dam structure to enhance and substantially complete the first affinity binding reaction between a source of mobilizable labeled binding members and an analyte in the fluid. Flow through the dam causes a delay, mixing and trapping of the typically chemically disuniform initial fluid front so that fluid exiting the dam exhibits a more uniformly high degree of first affinity binding and decreased non-affinity binding.

Abstract: A device for collecting, shipping and analyzing a pathological specimen comprises a collector stick projecting from the inside of the stopper of a first tubular vessel containing a solution. The bottom of the vessel has a hole sealed by a frangible barrier. When the first vessel is inserted into a second vessel containing a signaling element and having a pintle projecting inwardly from its bottom, the frangible barrier is broken by the pintle and part of the solution flows into the second vessel where it contacts the signaling element. A pin projecting from the inside of a cover for the second vessel punctures the stopper of the first vessel facilitating the flow of solution from the first to the second vessel. The analytical process can be performed in the absence of any contacting or manipulating of the first vessel and specimen collector by simply screwing the cap to its farthest position.

Abstract: A device for suspending equipment such as a lighting fixture or public address speaker from a ceiling mounted track (5) used to suspend a movable partition and including an extruded rail (4) defining a channel having a longitudinal slot opening (8) between flanges (9) projecting inwardly from opposite lateral walls(6) of the rail. The device comprises a threaded stem (13) capped by an enlarged head (14) passes through the slot opening (8) and is engaged by a lug (17) which cooperates with the head to forcibly bear against or capture one or more of the flanges. In an alternate embodiment of the invention the axial movement of the lug along the stem and the rotational movement of the head in reference to the slot are accurately limited for ease of alignment. The device can be quickly loosened to allow horizontal adjustment of the suspended structure along the rail.

Abstract: A method for accurately depositing a required volume of solder material on a specific area of a lead frame, substrate or other part of an electronic component to be bonded by reflow of solder material to another part into a reliable, void-free connection during a subsequent assembly step comprises the following steps. Minute particles of solder material whose cumulative volume corresponds to the total volume to be deposited are loaded into a cavity cut into a fixture made from a material such as graphite. The cavity delineates the specific area of deposit. The part is then laid upon the fixture and immobilized thereon by a cover made from a material such as graphite. The fixture and its enclosed part are then subjected to solder material melting temperature under a controlled atmosphere in a furnace. The cavity is patterned and dimensioned to accommodate the right number of uniformly dimensioned particles necessary to precisely create the desired deposit of solder material.