Abstract: An adapter for endoscopic treatments has a fiber constraint device that is set at a desired maximum fiber retraction distance, and provides a physical barrier to prevent excessive fiber retraction into the endoscope. The restricted retraction prevents the fiber from firing within the endoscope, thus avoiding expensive damage to both the endoscope and fiber. This benefits the patient with potentially shorter treatment time and less exposure to anesthesia. The adapter also limits maximum extension of fibers. Limiting maximum extension protects the fiber tip and avoids patient complications. The adapter is securely attached to the optical fiber with a connecting means. When using directionally radiating fiber tips, fiber orientation can be defined and the fiber can be rotated relative to the initial angular position of the fiber tip.

Abstract: An improved device and method for safer and more efficient laser vein treatments are presented. The device includes an optical waveguide optically coupled to a radiation source at its proximal end, having a core, a cladding layer and a tip configured to protect the clad-core, e.g., from contact with collapsing vein walls during laser vein treatment, and to enhance treatment efficiency through improved centering. According to one embodiment, the clad-core is recessed within one or more jacket layers. In some embodiments, the protective jacket on the clad-core may be left on when the jacket layer is added. In embodiments, one or more protective wires are attached to the clad-core or a jacket layer and extend distally past the clad-core. In some such embodiments, three protective wires are substantially equally spaced relative to each other about the circumference of the core, i.e., forming an equilateral triangular pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical lock for securing one or more filters within a filtration device and methods for producing the mechanical lock. The use of an interference fit punch causes a portion of the inner surface of the wall to be skived and rolled along the wall until it reaches the desired location where it forms a mechanical crimp to retain the one or more filters within the device. In one embodiment, the inner surface has an inwardly taper. In the other, it has straight walls or outwardly tapered walls. The use of a gasket such as an O-ring on top of the filter before the wall is skived provides a liquid tight seal.

Abstract: A multi-well assembly including a filter plate and receiver plate. Each plate includes a plurality of wells, which, when the filter plate is placed in nesting relationship with the receiver plate, each filter plate well has a corresponding receiver plate well into which it extends. The receiver plate wells are of a non-uniform cross-section in order to increase the gap between the outer walls of the filter plate wells and the inner walls of a corresponding receiver plate well when the receiver plate and filter plate are in nesting relationship. The increased gap size reduces wicking and cross-contamination. A multi-section well of maximum cross-section in an upper region and a minimized cross-section in a lower region, with a gradual transition between the regions, is thus provided.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: A safe connection system for coupling radiation from radiation sources, such as lasers, into optical fibers is provided. The system prevents the accidental use of standard optical fibers with radiation sources that require fibers capable of transmitting high power or other radiation with unique characteristics. Because often the fibers for use with high power lasers, for example, may also be used with standard lasers, the system preserves the interchangeability of standard connection systems such as SMA by providing connectors that can properly fit both in standard receptacles and in the receptacles of the present invention. Thus, this connection system preserves the advantages of a standard laser-fiber connection system while increasing the safety of such systems, where it is necessary.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical lock for securing one or more filters within a filtration device and methods for producing the mechanical lock. The use of an interference fit punch causes a portion of the inner surface of the wall to be skived and rolled along the wall until it reaches the desired location where it forms a mechanical crimp to retain the one or more filters within the device. In one embodiment, the inner surface has an inwardly taper. In the other, it has straight walls or outwardly tapered walls. The use of a gasket such as an O-ring on top of the filter before the wall is skived provides a liquid tight seal.

Abstract: A safe connection system for coupling radiation from radiation sources, such as lasers, into optical fibers is provided. The system prevents the accidental use of standard optical fibers with radiation sources that require fibers capable of transmitting high power or other radiation with unique characteristics. Because often the fibers for use with high power lasers, for example, may also be used with standard lasers, the system preserves the interchangeability of standard connection systems such as SMA by providing connectors that can properly fit both in standard receptacles and in the receptacles of the present invention. Thus, this connection system preserves the advantages of a standard laser-fiber connection system while increasing the safety of such systems, where it is necessary.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of liquid from the downstream side of a membrane or a well, such as a well of a multiwell plate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wicking structure, which channels droplets of liquid away from a membrane in communication with a plurality of wells. In the preferred embodiment, the wicking structure is placed in a manifold.

Abstract: The present invention describes a multi-component handpiece that is both economical and practical for surgical laser treatment. A disposable optical fiber is inserted into a reusable handpiece. The distal end of the optical fiber is protected by a micro-walled protective tube to prevent the disposable fiber from chipping before and during insertion into the handpiece. Once the optical fiber is protected, it is inserted into the handpiece by threading the optical fiber through the cap, body, and cannula of the handpiece until the fiber extends slightly beyond the distal end of the needle. The micro-walled protective tube is removed from the end of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is positioned, and the cap is tightened. The cap and body of the handpiece cooperate to produce a tight friction fit that prevents longitudinal movement of the optical fiber during laser therapy.

Abstract: The present invention describes a multi-component handpiece that is both economical and practical for surgical laser treatment. A disposable optical fiber is inserted into a reusable handpiece. The distal end of the optical fiber is protected by a micro-walled protective tube to prevent the disposable fiber from chipping before and during insertion into the handpiece. Once the optical fiber is protected, it is inserted into the handpiece by threading the optical fiber through the cap, body, and cannula of the handpiece until the fiber extends slightly beyond the distal end of the needle. The micro-walled protective tube is removed from the end of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is positioned, and the cap is tightened. The cap and body of the handpiece cooperate to produce a tight friction fit that prevents longitudinal movement of the optical fiber during laser therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical lock for securing one or more filters within a filtration device and methods for producing the mechanical lock. The use of an interference fit punch causes a portion of the inner surface of the wall to be skived and rolled along the wall until it reaches the desired location where it forms a mechanical crimp to retain the one or more filters within the device. In one embodiment, the inner surface has an inwardly taper. In the other, it has straight walls or outwardly tapered walls. The use of a gasket such as an O-ring on top of the filter before the wall is skived provides a liquid tight seal.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for invisibly tagging, for subsequent identification purposes, various liquid petroleum hydrocarbons, such as crude oil, diesel fuel, heating oil, kerosene, lubricating oils, waxes, jet fuel, and in particular gasoline, remarkably using visible dyes by incorporating therein one or more visible dyes at minute levels such that they cannot be visually detected by the human eye. Visible dyes which have high solubility in petroleum hydrocarbons and maximum absorption in the 550-700 nm visible wavelength range are used to impart such invisible markings. The visible dyes, although employed at non-visible levels, are still capable of detection in a relatively quick and simple manner which requires minimal instrumentation, creates no waste products for disposal, and gives true quantitative results of dye concentrations in the field.