Abstract: A multistage syringe includes a first barrel, a second barrel, a second barrel seal assembly, and a plunger assembly. The first barrel includes a first barrel channel and the second barrel includes a second barrel channel. The first barrel couples to the second barrel such that the first barrel channel aligns with the second barrel channel along a central axis. The plunger assembly includes a plunger coupled to a plunger handle. The plunger slidably couples with the first barrel channel along the central axis and the second barrel seal assembly slidably couples with the second barrel channel along the central axis. The plunger and the second barrel seal assembly cooperate to maintain a seal as the plunger transitions between a distal end of the multistage syringe and a proximal end of the multistage syringe.

Abstract: A multistage syringe includes a first barrel, a second barrel, a second barrel seal assembly, and a plunger assembly. The first barrel includes a first barrel channel and the second barrel includes a second barrel channel. The first barrel couples to the second barrel such that the first barrel channel aligns with the second barrel channel along a central axis. The plunger assembly includes a plunger coupled to a plunger handle. The plunger slidably couples with the first barrel channel along the central axis and the second barrel seal assembly slidably couples with the second barrel channel along the central axis. The plunger and the second barrel seal assembly cooperate to maintain a seal as the plunger transitions between a distal end of the multistage syringe and a proximal end of the multistage syringe.

Abstract: Piercing probes for fluidic applications may include a body portion including a distal end of the piercing probe. The piercing probes may also include a piercing portion opposite the distal end of the piercing probe. The piercing portion may include a conical portion, which may include a piercing tip. The piercing probe may also include a continuous lumen defined through the body portion and the piercing portion. The continuous lumen may be centered about a primary longitudinal axis of the piercing probe. A longitudinal tip axis may be defined through the piercing tip parallel to the primary longitudinal axis. The longitudinal tip axis may be offset from the primary longitudinal axis by an offset distance greater than zero. Fluid-sampling systems including the piercing probes may further include a device configured to draw or expel fluid through the continuous lumen.

Abstract: Fluidic coupling assemblies include a fitting body having a single integral piece or separable pieces such as male and female fittings such as luer fittings. The assemblies further comprise a rotatable fastening assembly having a drive collar and a driven member, and at least one resilient member having a spring bias that defines a threshold torque of the rotatable fastening assembly. The spring bias may be directed axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic coupling assembly. The resilient member is configured to prevent overtightening of the fluidic coupling assembly by allowing the drive collar to rotate the driven member only when less than a threshold torque is applied. Rotation of the rotatable fastening assembly imparts a compressive force on the resilient member, and the resilient member yields when the compressive force exceeds the spring bias of the resilient member.

Abstract: Quick-release connectors and connection assemblies comprising the quick-release connectors include an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling. A compressible check valve in the inlet coupling may be formed from a resilient elastomeric material. A plunger body in the outlet-coupling proximal portion may include a plunger neck portion, a plunger channel, and a plunger inlet. An outlet valve in the outlet coupling may prevent reverse fluid flow in the outlet coupling. In a disconnected state of the connector, a check valve contact surface of the compressible check valve seals against a sealing member to prevent fluid flow thorough the inlet coupling. In a connected state of the connector, the plunger neck portion protrudes through the sealing member and compresses the compressible check valve to place the plunger inlet in fluidic communication with a valve clearance opened between the check valve contact surface and the sealing member.

Abstract: Fluidic coupling assemblies include a fitting body having a single integral piece or separable pieces such as male and female fittings such as luer fittings. The assemblies further comprise a rotatable fastening assembly having a drive collar and a driven member, and at least one resilient member having a spring bias that defines a threshold torque of the rotatable fastening assembly. The spring bias may be directed axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic coupling assembly. The resilient member is configured to prevent overtightening of the fluidic coupling assembly by allowing the drive collar to rotate the driven member only when less than a threshold torque is applied. Rotation of the rotatable fastening assembly imparts a compressive force on the resilient member, and the resilient member yields when the compressive force exceeds the spring bias of the resilient member.

Abstract: A high efficiency diametrically compact, radial oriented piston hydraulic machine includes a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders coupled to a first port by a first valve and to a second port by a second valve. A drive shaft with an eccentric cam, is rotatably received in the cylinder block and a cam bearing extend around the eccentric cam. A separate piston is slideably received in each cylinder. A piston rod is coupled at one end to the piston and a curved shoe at the other end abuts the cam bearing. The curved shoe distributes force from the piston rod onto a relatively large area of the cam bearing and a retaining ring holds each shoe against the cam bearing. The cylinder block has opposing ends with a side surface there between through which every cylinder opens. A band engages the side surface closing the openings of the cylinders.

Abstract: A connection assembly for coupling a soft tubing to a tubular element of a torque fitting comprises a barbed connector and a shell adapted to contain the barbed connector. The barbed connector comprises a neck having a barb disposed on an exterior surface of the neck and a substantially cylindrical sealing portion disposed between the barb and a tubing end of the neck. The barbed connector further comprises a mating surface adapted to form a fluid-tight seal when compressed against a mating end of the tubular element. A tubing connection comprises the connection assembly having a length of soft tubing attached to the neck of the barbed connector and a tubular element compressed against the mating surface of the barbed connector.

Abstract: Fitting assemblies are disclosed that include a threaded conduit and a releasable longitudinal restrictor comprising a compressible port securement. The threaded conduit can be configured to engage a complementary threaded portion of a fluid port and include a fluid channel traversing a longitudinal axis of the threaded conduit. The releasable longitudinal restrictor can engage an outer periphery of the threaded conduit and may be configured to advance along the longitudinal axis of the threaded conduit in a first direction towards the port while releasably restricting movement along the threaded conduit in a second direction, opposite the first direction. A leading edge of the compressible port securement may also be configured to engage an engaging surface of the port such that the compressible port securement compresses to permit spring-loaded advancement of the releasable longitudinal restrictor in the first direction and restrict rotational movement of the threaded conduit relative the port.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a multi-use torque fitting, a length of tubing, and a compressible ferrule, wherein the assembly is configured to couple an end of the length of tubing to a port of a fluid-handling device in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner. Generally, the fitting is configured to provide a degree of compression to the compressible ferrule sufficient to prevent fluid leakage at the ferrule/port interface. This fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a multi-use torque fitting and a length of tubing. The torque fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting. The length of tubing, meanwhile, generally comprises a compressible seal formed at its end. Generally, the torque fitting is configured to couple the length of tubing to a fluid port in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner by providing a degree of compression to the compressible seal of the length of tubing sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the tube/port interface.

Abstract: Optical fiber connection assemblies respectively comprising a torque fitting and a fitting connector are described. The torque fitting comprises a torque-limiting body portion, a threaded body portion with a mechanical thread, and an optical fiber accommodating channel. The fitting connector, meanwhile, comprises threaded body portion with a mechanical thread complimentary to that of the torque fitting. The respective threaded body portions releasably connect via the complimentary mechanical threads by rotating the threaded body portion of the torque fitting along the threaded body portion of the fitting connector the such that optical fibers accommodated by the respective channels are aligned along an optical path in a proximity sufficient to permit transmission of light across the optical fibers with achievement of the threshold level of torque applied in rotating the torque fitting in the compressive direction of rotation along the threaded body portion of the fitting connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an assembly comprising a multi-use torque fitting, a length of tubing, and a compressible ferrule, wherein the assembly is configured to couple an end of the length of tubing to a port of a fluid-handling device in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner. Generally, the fitting is configured to provide a degree of compression to the compressible ferrule sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the ferrule/port interface. This fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of an assembly comprising a multi-use torque fitting and a length of tubing. The torque fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting. The length of tubing, meanwhile, generally comprises a compressible seal formed at its end. Generally, the torque fitting is configured to couple the length of tubing to a fluid port in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner by providing a degree of compression to the compressible seal of the length of tubing sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the tube/port interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to homogenous fluid level sensing devices that comprise a probe body configured to insert into a container and sense a level of fluid held therein. Generally, the probe body is configured such that conductors are exposed at a sensing end of the probe body and changes in an electrical signal across the conductors can be correlated with the presence or absence of fluid at the sensing end of the probe body. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a probe body through a process of co-extrusion.

Abstract: Fastening devices and apparatuses for providing an appropriate amount of torque in a fastening system. Particularly, fastening devices and apparatuses configured to inform a user when an appropriate amount of torque as been used when fastening the fastening device to a designated object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-use torque fitting configured to couple a length of tubing to a fluid port in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner. Generally, the fitting is configured to provide a degree of compression sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the tube/port interface. This fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting.

Abstract: A self-aligning connection between a rotary and reciprocating pump piston allows relative radial movement between the pump piston and the rotary cam. The self-aligning connection is formed by a pin carried by the rotary cam and is positioned in a radial recess located in the pump piston. An improved drive for the rotary cam is perfected by a cam follower pin supported from the housing by a roller bearing race which is pressed fitted within a bore formed by the pump housing. The pump piston abuts a TEFLON pad located in the pump cylinder to reduce dead space and insure that the pump produces accurate volumes. The employment of different plastic materials between the rotary cam and the pump housing provides an improved bearing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the essentially automatic filling with pressurized ambient air of non-elastic inflatable objects to predetermined overpressures; and operate through the creation and sensing of a fluidic effect in the inflatable object attendant the filling of the same, the discontinuation of that fluidic effect when the inflatable object has been filled to the predetermined overpressure, the sensing of the discontinuation of the fluidic effect and the discontinuation of the supply of pressurized air to the inflatable object in response thereto. Provisions are made for adjustment in the predetermined overpressure to which the inflatable object is filled, and for reversing the operation of the apparatus and method to deflate inflated objects for re-use.