Abstract: An outdoor power equipment system includes: a motor; a power supply; and a user-engageable safety device, the safety device comprising: a rotatable member connected to a handle of the outdoor power equipment, wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis between a locked position and an unlocked position; a plunger operatively connected to the rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member causes the plunger to translate along the rotation axis of the rotatable member; and a switch, wherein: the plunger is configured to open the switch when the rotatable member is in the locked position to electrically connect the power supply to the motor, and wherein the plunger is configured to close the switch when the rotatable member is in the unlocked position to electrically isolate the power supply from the motor.

Abstract: A medical apparatus which comprises a sharpened outer needle and a blunt inner needle slidingly disposed within the outer needle is provided. The apparatus also contains a position indicator to indicate the position of the inner needle within the outer needle, so that the user knows whether the inner needle is in a protective or a non-protective position. The position indicator may be a mechanical visual indicator, an electronic visual indicator, a tactile indicator, an audible indicator or any combination of the above.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a first location, which may be within a nuclear power generation facility to a second location such as a storage cask that is used for short-term or long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel includes a first lifting mechanism for engaging a transfer cask and a second lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting the canister of spent nuclear fuel. Preferably, the method is practiced by first positioning a canister of spent nuclear fuel within the transfer cask and then engaging the transfer cask with the first lifting mechanism. The canister is engaged with the second lifting mechanism. The transfer cask having the canister positioned within is moved to the vicinity of a storage cask, and the canister is lowered from the transfer cask into the storage cask by the second lifting mechanism without disengagement of the first lifting mechanism from the transfer cask.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a first location, which may be within a nuclear power generation facility to a second location such as a storage cask that is used for short-term or long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel includes a first lifting mechanism for engaging a transfer cask and a second lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting the canister of spent nuclear fuel. Preferably, the method is practiced by first positioning a canister of spent nuclear fuel within the transfer cask and then engaging the transfer cask with the first lifting mechanism. The canister is engaged with the second lifting mechanism. The transfer cask having the canister positioned within is moved to the vicinity of a storage cask, and the canister is lowered from the transfer cask into the storage cask by the second lifting mechanism without disengagement of the first lifting mechanism from the transfer cask.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a first location, which may be within a nuclear power generation facility to a second location such as a storage cask that is used for short-term or long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel includes a first lifting mechanism for engaging a transfer cask and a second lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting the canister of spent nuclear fuel. Preferably, the method is practiced by first positioning a canister of spent nuclear fuel within the transfer cask and then engaging the transfer cask with the first lifting mechanism. The canister is engaged with the second lifting mechanism. The transfer cask having the canister positioned within is moved to the vicinity of a storage cask, and the canister is lowered from the transfer cask into the storage cask by the second lifting mechanism without disengagement of the first lifting mechanism from the transfer cask.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a first location, which may be within a nuclear power generation facility to a second location such as a storage cask that is used for short-term or long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel includes a first lifting mechanism for engaging a transfer cask and a second lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting the canister of spent nuclear fuel. Preferably, the method is practiced by first positioning a canister of spent nuclear fuel within the transfer cask and then engaging the transfer cask with the first lifting mechanism. The canister is engaged with the second lifting mechanism. The transfer cask having the canister positioned within is moved to the vicinity of a storage cask, and the canister is lowered from the transfer cask into the storage cask by the second lifting mechanism without disengagement of the first lifting mechanism from the transfer cask.

Abstract: A vial carrier having plural reagent compartments disposed linearly along the length of the carrier. Each compartment is adapted for receiving one of plural reagent vials. The carrier is provided with indicia uniquely identifying it to an automated assay device. Similarly, each compartment of the carrier has associated with it indicia which are at least unique to the particular carrier. Lastly, each vial installable within a carrier compartment has indicia unique to the contents of the vial. A film seal is applied to the vial opening prior to an integrated cap/seal assembly for the purpose of ensuring that the assembly is liquid-tight. The carrier is configured to be disposed on a slide of an inclining tray within an enclosure. Data reflecting which vial is located in which compartment of a given carrier is collected and provided to the automated instrument prior to installation of the carrier into the enclosure.

Abstract: A vial carrier having plural reagent compartments disposed linearly along the length of the carrier. Each compartment is adapted for receiving one of plural reagent vials. The carrier is provided with indicia uniquely identifying it to an automated assay device. Similarly, each compartment of the carrier has associated with it indicia which are at least unique to the particular carrier. Lastly, each vial installable within a carrier compartment has indicia unique to the contents of the vial. A film seal is applied to the vial opening prior to an integrated cap/seal assembly for the purpose of ensuring that the assembly is liquid-tight. The carrier is configured to be disposed on a slide of an inclining tray within an enclosure. Data reflecting which vial is located in which compartment of a given carrier is collected and provided to the automated instrument prior to installation of the carrier into the enclosure.

Abstract: A reagent pack for keeping fluids with or without suspensions mixed or suspended upon rocking. The reagent pack has at least one chamber divided into separate sub-chambers with a throat region between them defined by baffles for agitation of suspended reagent during rocking of the reagent pack. A continuous lid sealable to the pack has membrane sealed apertures in the lid for allowing access to the underlying chambers and sub-chambers by withdrawal needles. A tray is configured to hold multiple side-by-side reagent packs on respective slides that slide in and out for insertion and withdrawal of the packs. During operation, the tray and associated packs are rocked such as by being periodically inclined with respect to horizontal, providing reagent agitation.

Abstract: A reagent pack for keeping fluids with or without suspensions mixed or suspended upon rocking. The reagent pack has at least one chamber divided into separate sub-chambers with a throat region between them defined by baffles for agitation of suspended reagent during rocking of the reagent pack. A continuous lid sealable to the pack has membrane sealed apertures in the lid for allowing access to the underlying chambers and sub-chambers by withdrawal needles. A tray is configured to hold multiple side-by-side reagent packs on respective slides that slide in and out for insertion and withdrawal of the packs. During operation, the tray and associated packs are rocked such as by being periodically inclined with respect to horizontal, providing reagent agitation.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior channel. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior cannula. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow. A knife blade can be attached to said first cannula and said second cannula can be positioned around the knife blade to shield the knife blade.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior channel. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow.

Abstract: A surgical device has a longitudinally extending cannula formed to define an interior channel. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece that defines first, second, and third passageways in fluid communication with the interior channel of the cannula. A surgical knife is positioned within the interior channel of the cannula so that its cutting edge extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: A medical device valving mechanism comprising an elongated valve body molded to have a longitudinally extending body shaped to be gripped and securely held in either hand leaving the hand's thumb free for valve operational movement. The body has at least one fluid passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and a cylindrical opening extending transversely therethrough to intercept the at least one passageway. A cylindrical molded plastic, one-piece rotor for snug slidable and rotational insertion into the cylindrical opening to block the at least one passageway is provided. The rotor has at least one transaxial passageway which opens the at least one fluid passageway through the valve body when the rotor is in its valve opening position and which closes the at least one fluid passageway when the rotor is in its valve closing position. A thumb-actuated means is provided for rotating the rotor, the actuated means is disposed above the valve body and the rotor for convenient thumb movement.

Abstract: A medical device valving mechanism comprising a molded plastic, one-piece, elongated valve body molded to have a longitudinally extending body shaped to be gripped and securely held in either hand leaving the hand's thumb free for valve operational movement. The body has at least one fluid passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and a cylindrical opening extending transversely therethrough to intercept the at least one passageway. A cylindrical molded plastic, one-piece rotor for snug slidable and rotational insertion into the cylindrical opening to block the at least one passageway is provided. The rotor has at least one transaxial passageway which opens the at least one fluid passageway through the valve body when the rotor is in its valve opening position and which closes the at least one fluid passageway when the rotor is in its valve closing position.