Abstract: Device for folding an instrument tray into a packaging material, comprising a supporting surface for supporting the instrument tray during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material, a first folding plate and a second folding plate, a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold, at least one movable clamp for gripping and moving the packaging material, a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp.

Abstract: A hand-held case is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the hand-held case comprises a central compartment defined by an outer wall, the central compartment sized to accept a smokable herb; a top lid comprising a cover for covering the central compartment, the top lid movable from a closed position to an open position; a bottom lid comprising a slidable cover for covering a bottom compartment; a tool compartment for storing a tool, the tool compartment disposed on a lateral side of the central compartment; and a pipe compartment for storing a pipe, the pipe compartment disposed on an opposite lateral side of the central compartment from the tool compartment.

Abstract: Device for folding an instrument tray into a packaging material, comprising a supporting surface for supporting the instrument tray during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material, a first folding plate and a second folding plate, a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold, at least one movable clamp for gripping and moving the packaging material, a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp.

Abstract: Device for folding an instrument tray into a packaging material, comprising a supporting surface for supporting the instrument tray during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material, a first folding plate and a second folding plate, a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold, at least one movable clamp for gripping and moving the packaging material, a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp.

Abstract: Device for folding an instrument tray into a packaging material, comprising a supporting surface for supporting the instrument tray during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material, a first folding plate and a second folding plate, a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold, at least one movable clamp for gripping and moving the packaging material, a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp.

Abstract: A teacher observation and evaluation system and method for mobile devices is provided, comprising providing a data server for storing and delivering selected information, including teacher data, rubrics, and other educational data; providing an administration server connected to the data server for controlling access by users; providing one or more wireless mobile devices connected to the data server via a wireless connection, wherein each mobile device includes an observation and evaluation rubric; observing a teacher in a classroom setting and inputting into the mobile device observation and evaluation data related to the teacher's performance; synchronizing the observation and evaluation data with the data server; and reporting the observation and evaluation data to selected administrative personnel.

Abstract: A compact portable safety compliance station includes a frame having a base which is supported at one end above the ground with a wheel assembly and the other end by a pair of foot portions to support a waste receptacle in a holder mounted on the frame. A beverage dispenser holder is mounted on an upright portion of the frame for holding the beverage dispenser in a forward tilting position when the station is stationary on the ground with the base being disposed in a generally horizontal disposition. In its stationary upright position, the center of gravity of the dispenser is positioned above the base between the wheel assembly and the foot portions to stabilize the station.

Abstract: A switch or rail box for railway rails that include a system for sealing a portion of a location where the rail enters or exits the box. The sealing system includes a pair of seal plates that can be connected to an inner surface and an outer surface of the switch box, wherein the sealing plates each include a groove that conforms to and accepts a portion of a rail and in some embodiments, a rail jacket. The channel formed between the adjacent seal plates is filled with an insulating material that extends around a lower portion of the rail, thereby aiding in stray current control. Methods for sealing the switch box utilizing the sealing system are disclosed.

Abstract: A switch or rail box for railway rails that include a system for sealing a portion of a location where the rail enters or exits the box. The sealing system includes a pair of seal plates that can be connected to an inner surface and an outer surface of the switch box, wherein the sealing plates each include a groove that conforms to and accepts a portion of a rail and in some embodiments, a rail jacket. The channel formed between the adjacent seal plates is filled with an insulating material that extends around a lower portion of the rail, thereby aiding in stray current control. Methods for sealing the switch box utilizing the sealing system are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical instrument thermal treatment system according to the present invention is in the form of a stand including a thermally treated tray to thermally treat medical instruments. The stand includes a frame to support the tray, while a drape including a sensing device is disposed over the tray to form a drape container or receptacle within the tray for collecting a sterile medium. The tray is thermally treated to heat the sterile medium in order to warm medical instruments or other medical items placed in the tray. The sensing device provides a signal to the system indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to facilitate control of system operation.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first set of inputs which describe aspects of a device may be received. A second set of inputs may be automatically provided for a group of assessments, included in an analysis, based on the first set of inputs and information in at least one database. An analysis may be performed based on the second set of inputs to assess the reliability of the device. A report may be generated based on the performed analysis.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.

Abstract: A drape according to the present invention is constructed of or includes conductive and insulating drape segments and is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into, and conforms to, the basin to form a drape container or receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile medium. The conductive segments provide a signal indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, a drape utilized for a plural basin thermal treatment system may form a drape receptacle within each basin. Each drape receptacle includes conductive and insulating drape segments to detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle. The conductive segments of the drape receptacles provide signals to the system to facilitate control of system operation.

Abstract: A surgical drape according to the present invention includes a disk member for removable attachment to a thermal treatment system dislodgment mechanism. The mechanism manipulates the drape to dislodge congealed sterile liquid adhered to the sides of a container formed by the drape within a thermal treatment system basin. The disk member includes a base and a cover, where the cover is disposed on the top portion or sterile surface of the drape. The drape sterile surface may further include other disk member components (e.g., base, etc.). In addition, the drape may further include one or more sensors to detect conditions within the drape container.

Abstract: A drape according to the present invention includes a sensing device and is disposed over a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A drape portion is pushed down into, and conforms to, the basin to form a drape receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically disposed through the drape and sealed via patches on the non-sterile drape surface. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, a drape utilized for a plural basin thermal treatment system may form a drape receptacle within each basin. Each drape receptacle includes a sensing device to detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle and provide signals to the system to facilitate control of system operation.

Abstract: A disposable medical item for use with medical equipment includes circuitry forming an electrical path between the item and medical equipment. The circuitry is coupled to a medical equipment controller or independent microprocessor and includes a fuse. The controller transmits a status signal over the path in response to the equipment receiving the item. A disabled fuse prevents traversal of the path by the status signal, thereby indicating prior item use. If the controller does not detect the status signal, medical equipment operation is disabled. Otherwise, the controller transmits over the path a signal sufficient to disable the fuse to indicate item use and verifies the disabled fuse status. If the disabled fuse status is verified, the controller enables equipment operation. The controller periodically checks the fuse status during equipment operation and disables operation in response to a prior used item inserted into the medical equipment.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system for thermally treating a sterile medium is controlled via a foot actuated switch to thermally treat the sterile medium to a desired temperature and/or form (e.g., slush). The thermal treatment system includes a basin recessed in a system top surface, while a surgical sterile drape is placed over the system and within the basin to form a drape container for containing the sterile medium. The basin may be configured to cool the sterile medium and form sterile surgical slush, or heat the sterile medium to provide warm sterile liquid. A dislodgment mechanism may be employed within a cooling basin to manipulate the drape and dislodge frozen pieces of sterile medium adhered to the drape. Information pertaining to the sterile medium and system operation may be displayed on a system display that has dimensions sufficient to provide visibility of the information to users located within extended ranges from the system.

Abstract: A drape including a sensing device is disposed over a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein to form a drape container or receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may either heat or congeal the sterile medium. The sensing device is typically disposed through the drape to provide a signal indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device may be affixed to a plural basin drape utilized for a multiple basin thermal treatment system. The drape forms a drape receptacle within each basin, while a sensing device is typically disposed within each drape receptacle to detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle to facilitate control of system operation in substantially the same manner described above.