Abstract: A manually positionable armature system including a flexible semi-rigid housing including an inner wall, a connecter coupled to the housing to connect the housing to a holding structure, a holder coupled to the housing to hold an instrument in place during a procedure, a compressible media disposed within the flexible semi-rigid housing, an adjustable volume member disposed within the compressible media within the flexible semi-rigid housing, the adjustable volume member adjustable between at least a first volume state where the compressible media is less compressed against the inner wall of the housing and the flexible semi-rigid housing is freely positionable and a second volume state where the compressible media is more compacted against the inner wall of the housing, rigidizing and fixing the flexible semi-rigid housing in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A valve is provided for controlling flow along a fluid line that includes an outer shell and an inner housing slidably disposed therein that includes connector threads surrounding a boss on one end and a passage through the boss. A backing member is coupled to the outer shell and has a sealing pin extending into the passage. The inner housing is movable helically relative to the outer shell from a closed position wherein a sealing pin engages an outlet opening at the distal end of the boss to seal the opening and an open position in which the inner housing is directed away from the sealing pin to open a fluid path through the valve. A torque limiter mechanism between the outer shell and inner housing resists movement from the valve closed position to the valve open position until a selected torque level is reached.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method of securing a length of flexible conduit to a subject, and adjusting the flexible conduit to a length tailored to the subject, in order to reduce or eliminate excess conduit traversing the subject's body. The apparatus comprises a base with elongate channels for accepting flexible conduit, a lid which mates with the base, and a securing member for attaching the mated base and lid to the body of the subject.

Abstract: A valve is provided for controlling flow along a fluid line that includes an outer shell and an inner housing slidably disposed therein that includes connector threads surrounding a boss on one end and a passage through the boss. A backing member is coupled to the outer shell and has a sealing pin extending into the passage. A connector may be threaded into the one end of the inner housing, thereby slidably engaging the connector threads, causing the inner housing to move helically from a closed position wherein the sealing pin engages an outlet opening at the distal end of the boss to seal the outlet opening and an open position wherein the inner housing is directed away from the sealing pin to open a fluid path through the valve, around the pin, and through the outlet opening.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: A valve is provided for controlling flow along a fluid line that includes an outer shell and an inner housing slidably disposed therein that includes connector threads surrounding a boss on one end and a passage through the boss. A backing member is coupled to the outer shell and has a sealing pin extending into the passage. A connector may be threaded into the one end of the inner housing, thereby slidably engaging the connector threads, causing the inner housing to move helically from a closed position wherein the sealing pin engages an outlet opening at the distal end of the boss to seal the outlet opening and an open position wherein the inner housing is directed away from the sealing pin to open a fluid path through the valve, around the pin, and through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid transfer collection assembly includes providing an assembly including a base, a test media carried by the base, an inlet for receiving a sample fluid, an outlet, a fluid transfer path located between the inlet and the outlet, a movable first finger mechanism, a movable second finger mechanism operatively coupled to the movable first finger mechanism; first moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to draw the sample fluid into the path; and then moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to transfer the sample fluid through the path to the test media.

Abstract: A method of using a finger swipe fluid transfer collection assembly includes providing a finger swipe fluid transfer collection assembly including a base, a test media carried by the base, an inlet for receiving a sample fluid, an outlet, a finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism carried by the base between the inlet and the outlet and including an interior; swiping the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism with one's finger to impart a negative pressure in the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism to draw the sample fluid into the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism through the inlet; and swiping the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism again with one's finger to impart a positive pressure in the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism to pump the sample fluid through the outlet and be transferred to the test media.

Abstract: A method of using a finger swipe fluid transfer collection assembly includes providing a finger swipe fluid transfer collection assembly including a base, a test media carried by the base, an inlet for receiving a sample fluid, an outlet, a finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism carried by the base between the inlet and the outlet and including an interior; swiping the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism with one's finger to impart a negative pressure in the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism to draw the sample fluid into the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism through the inlet; and swiping the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism again with one's finger to impart a positive pressure in the interior of the finger swipe fluid transfer mechanism to pump the sample fluid through the outlet and be transferred to the test media.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid transfer and mixing collection assembly includes depressing a flexible member to cause a force to be imparted to a breakable vial to break the vial, releasing the second fluid therein into an interior of the flexible member; releasing the flexible member to impart a negative pressure in the interior of the flexible member to draw a first fluid into the interior of the flexible member through the inlet check valve to mix with the second fluid; and depressing the flexible member to impart a positive pressure in the interior of the flexible member to pump the mixed first fluid and second fluid out of the interior of the flexible member through an outlet check valve and be transferred to test media.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid transfer collection assembly includes providing an assembly including a base, a test media carried by the base, an inlet for receiving a sample fluid, an outlet, a fluid transfer path located between the inlet and the outlet, a movable first finger mechanism, a movable second finger mechanism operatively coupled to the movable first finger mechanism; first moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to draw the sample fluid into the path; and then moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to transfer the sample fluid through the path to the test media.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a desiccant packet to a target includes providing a strip of desiccant packets separated by packet webbing; providing a desiccant dispenser including a dual tractor belt drive system for advancing the strip of desiccant packets through the desiccant dispenser, a clamp assembly for clamping the strip of desiccant packets prior to cutting, a cutter blade assembly for cutting a desiccant packet from the strip of desiccant packets, the cutter blade assembly including a rotary blade with a blade portion having opposite angled cutting faces; cutting a desiccant packet from the strip of desiccant packets with the opposite angled cutting faces of the rotary blade of the cutter blade assembly without shearing the strip; and dispensing the desiccant packet on the target.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid-transfer collection assembly includes providing a fluid-transfer collection assembly including an inlet for receiving one or more fluids, the inlet including an inlet check valve, an outlet including an outlet check valve, a test media, and a depressable, flexible bulb pump located between the inlet and the outlet and including an interior; depressing and releasing the bulb pump to draw one or more fluids into the interior of the bulb pump through the inlet check valve; and depressing the bulb pump again to impart a positive pressure in the interior of the bulb pump to cause one or more fluids in the interior of the bulb pump to exit the interior of the bulb pump through the outlet check valve and be transferred to the test media.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling injection devices includes first and second pairs of shafts spaced apart from one another and defining axes extending parallel to a first inclined axis. The shafts include grooves extending helically between ends of the shafts, the helical grooves together defining passages extending vertically between the shafts. The shafts are rotated about their axes such that the passages move between first and second ends of the shafts. Syringes are introduced into successive passages to carry the syringes downwardly along the inclined axis between the first and second ends of the shafts while maintaining the syringes oriented vertically and spaced apart. Guards are carried along a horizontal axis that converges with the inclined axis at a convergence region. The guards are spaced apart and suspended vertically below corresponding syringes such that the syringes are received in successive guards at the convergence region.

Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing collection assembly includes a base and a test media, an inlet check valve, and an outlet check valve carried by the base. A bladder containing a fluid and a flexible member are carried by the base between the check valves and are separated by a membrane. The flexible member is depressable to cause a pointed member extending from the flexible member to rupture the membrane, releasable to draw a sample fluid into an interior of the flexible member through the inlet check valve to mix with the fluid from the bladder, and depressable again to pump the mixed fluids out of the interior of the flexible member through the outlet check valve and be transferred to the test media.

Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing collection assembly includes a base and a test media, an inlet check valve, and an outlet check valve carried by the base. A bladder containing a fluid and a flexible member are carried by the base between the check valves and are separated by a membrane. The flexible member is depressable to cause a pointed member extending from the flexible member to rupture the membrane, releasable to draw a sample fluid into an interior of the flexible member through the inlet check valve to mix with the fluid from the bladder, and depressable again to pump the mixed fluids out of the interior of the flexible member through the outlet check valve and be transferred to the test media.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling injection devices includes first and second pairs of shafts spaced apart from one another and defining axes extending parallel to a first inclined axis. The shafts include grooves extending helically between ends of the shafts, the helical grooves together defining passages extending vertically between the shafts. The shafts are rotated about their axes such that the passages move between first and second ends of the shafts. Syringes are introduced into successive passages to carry the syringes downwardly along the inclined axis between the first and second ends of the shafts while maintaining the syringes oriented vertically and spaced apart. Guards are carried along a horizontal axis that converges with the inclined axis at a convergence region. The guards are spaced apart and suspended vertically below corresponding syringes such that the syringes are received in successive guards at the convergence region.