Abstract: An apparel suspension device includes a yoke portion, a first strap connected to the yoke portion and configured to connect to a front waist region of an overgarment, a second strap connected to the yoke portion and configured to connect to a rear waist region of the overgarment and a third strap connected to the yoke portion and configured to connect to a rear waist region of the overgarment. The first strap includes a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion having different elasticity characteristics.

Abstract: A gate valve comprises a valve body having an internal working fluid passage and an internal gate chamber extending transverse to the working fluid passage. In addition, the gate valve comprises a gate disposed in the internal gate chamber and movable within the gate chamber between a closed position obstructing fluid flow through the working fluid passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the working fluid passage. Further, the gate valve comprises an internal sealing arrangement coaxially disposed in the working fluid passage and extending between the valve body and the gate to form a barrier between the internal working fluid passage and the gate chamber. The internal sealing arrangement includes a frustoconical metal sealing surface adapted to sealingly engage an opposed mating frustoconical metal sealing surface on the valve body to form a first tapered metal-to-metal seal between the sealing arrangement and the valve body.

Abstract: A double check valve (10) with two separate elements (20, 25) individually movable to close the valve and collectively movable to open the valve. The separate elements are independently closing the valve, and collectively controllable to open the valve, to allow pressure release or to allow injection of fluid (e.g. lubricant). In an example, the double check valve includes two separate check valves with a stinger element (30) between them which is operable to internally sting the one check valve when (e.g. by action of) the other check valve is stung by a user (e.g. using a stinger means) thereby to open both check valves individually and the double check valve as a whole.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 ?l to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 ?l to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.

Abstract: A gate valve comprises a valve body having an internal working fluid passage and an internal gate chamber extending transverse to the working fluid passage. In addition, the gate valve comprises a gate disposed in the internal gate chamber and movable within the gate chamber between a closed position obstructing fluid flow through the working fluid passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the working fluid passage. Further, the gate valve comprises an internal sealing arrangement coaxially disposed in the working fluid passage and extending between the valve body and the gate to form a barrier between the internal working fluid passage and the gate chamber. The internal sealing arrangement includes a frustoconical metal sealing surface adapted to sealingly engage an opposed mating frustoconical metal sealing surface on the valve body to form a first tapered metal-to-metal seal between the sealing arrangement and the valve body.

Abstract: A double check valve (10) with two separate elements (20, 25) individually movable to close the valve and collectively movable to open the valve. The separate elements are independently closing the valve, and collectively controllable to open the valve, to allow pressure release or to allow injection of fluid (e.g. lubricant). In an example, the double check valve includes two separate check valves with a stinger element (30) between them which is operable to internally sting the one check valve when (e.g. by action of) the other check valve is stung by a user (e.g. using a stinger means) thereby to open both check valves individually and the double check valve as a whole.

Abstract: A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.

Abstract: To enable reuse of expensive microchips in a clinical analysis apparatus, while constantly and efficiently obtaining accurate analysis results. A clinical apparatus employs microchips to analyze substances, which are contained in samples and are targets of measurement. The clinical analysis apparatus is equipped with: a stocking section; a dispensing mechanism, for dispensing reagents stocked in the stocking section and samples to the microchips; and a measuring section, for measuring the measurement target substance within the samples. The measuring section includes: a dispensing station, at which the microchips are provided; a detecting station, for detecting the measurement target substance; and a cleansing station, at which microchips are cleansed following detection of the measurement target substance. The dispensing station, the detecting station, and the cleansing station are provided at a predetermined pitch from upstream to downstream positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a sanitization tracking and alerting system and method that automatically monitors hand sanitization actions of workers within a facility and reminds them of violations of hand sanitization requirements. The sanitization system may comprise a communications network providing interaction between a central computer with a database and one or more sanitizer dispenser systems, which dispense a sanitizer to the workers upon demand. The sanitizer dispensing system may have a reader for reading an identification device associated with the worker and a motion detector that detects when the worker is in the proximity of the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A video network includes public kiosks having digital storage capacity. Centralized inventory control manages the video files stored at individual kiosks or network LANs. A user requests a multimedia file for download, and selects various ancillary files and control features, such as languages, subtitles, control of nudity, etc. The requested file is encrypted according to an encryption key, watermarked, and downloaded from a high-speed port of a public kiosk to a hand-held proprietary high speed memory device of a user. Payment is received at the time of request or at the time of download, and royalties are distributed by the video network to copyright holders. Computer applications or playback devices allow users to store and/or play video files that have been downloaded to a hand-held device while managing and enforcing digital rights of content providers through the watermarking and/or encryption.

Abstract: A video network includes public kiosks having digital storage capacity. Centralized inventory control manages the video files stored at individual kiosks or network LANs. A user requests a multimedia file for download, and selects various ancillary files and control features, such as languages, subtitles, control of nudity, etc. The requested file is encrypted according to an encryption key, watermarked, and downloaded from a high-speed port of a public kiosk to a hand-held proprietary high speed memory device of a user. Payment is received at the time of request or at the time of download, and royalties are distributed by the video network to copyright holders. Computer applications or playback devices allow users to store and/or play video files that have been downloaded to a hand-held device while managing and enforcing digital rights of content providers through the watermarking and/or encryption.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 ?l to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.

Abstract: An electrode alignment apparatus may be used with a microfluidic device for accurate and repeatable alignment of electrode pins with reservoirs on the microfluidic device. The apparatus includes a base unit and an electrode block assembly that are moveable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The electrode block assembly includes an interface array that is coupled to an interface array platform such that the interface array is moveable with respect to the interface array platform in three dimensions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise microfluidic devices, instrumentation interfacing with those devices, processes for fabricating that device, and methods of employing that device to perform PCR amplification. Embodiments of the invention are also compatible with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (“qPCR”) processes. Microfluidic devices in accordance with the invention may contain a plurality of parallel processing channels. Fully independent reactions can take place in each of the plurality of parallel processing channels. The availability of independent processing channels allows a microfluidic device in accordance with the invention to be used in a number of ways. For example, separate samples could be processed in each of the independent processing channels. Alternatively, different loci on a single sample could be processed in multiple processing channels.

Abstract: A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated microfluidic chip processing apparatus that includes a deck for holding at least one microfluidic chip and capable of being accessed by a liquid handling system, a fluid control system, and a detection system, wherein a chip handling device transports the chip from the deck to the fluid control system and the detection system. The present invention also includes a chip for use with an automated microfluidic chip processing apparatus, and a method for processing a microfluidic chip using such an apparatus.

Abstract: A container is provided for shipping and storing a pre-wetted and pre-conditioned microfluidic “sipper” chip. The container contains both dry compartments and wet compartments. A base contains a fluid-filled reservoir configured to house the capillaries. The opening of the reservoir is sealed with an O-ring. The plastic mount of the chip rests on the base in a dry compartment. The upper surface of the chip contains several wells containing fluid. A gasket is provided with plugs configured to be disposed within and seal the wells. Alternatively, the wells are first sealed with a foil film adhered to the well openings with an adhesive and a gasket is disposed between the foil and a cover, which is removably attached to the base. When the cover is closed, the gasket and O-ring seal the wet compartments to prevent leakage and to slow evaporation.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprising an inert gas-purged resistance-heated type furnace 1, a crucible 6 for containing molten metal and having an outlet 8 for molten metal, coupled to a casting die 14, and a first clamping device 28-30, 32 for securing the die 14 in sealing communication with the crucible 6. A carrier adaptor 44 of an oxidation resistant refractory material comprises: a feed nozzle 50 between the crucible outlet 8 and a casting die inlet 39, a female mounting portion 52 for receiving, in sealing inter-engagement, a male mounting portion 54 of the die 14, and sealing means 58 for inter-engagement with the furnace wall 34 around the aperture 36. A second clamping device 68, 70, 72 is provided for releasably securing the carrier adaptor 44, in sealing inter-engagement, to the crucible 6 and furnace wall 34. The first clamping device 28-30, 32 releasably secures the casting die 14 to the carrier adapter 44.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved methods, structures and systems for interfacing microfluidic devices with ancillary systems that are used in conjunction with such devices. These systems typically include control and monitoring systems (620) for controlling the performance of the processes carried out within the device, e.g., monitoring and controlling environmental conditions and monitoring results of the processes performed, e.g., detection.