Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling microorganism culture conditions are disclosed. The system may comprise a sample vessel and plumbing free metal parts, and use a modular cap design to adapt to a multitude of analytical probes, and possess a square profile with non-reflective surfaces. The system may also include stirrer; a lighting control module, a lighting element may produce stable light intensity range; a temperature control module that may be located at the bottom of the sample vessel; a pH control; a gas sparging control module; a dilution control module; a liquid storage system; an electronic modularity; a weighing module; and a scheduling system. In many embodiments of the system and method, the pH control may hold the pH within 0.1 of a target pH, the weighing module may monitor volume, and the scheduling system may allow the creation of user defined events and set points.

Abstract: An introducer and method provides a surgical tool with a pathway through tissue to a surgical site, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surgical instrument. The introducer comprises a flexible sheath having a distal portion including a distal end and is arranged for receiving the surgical tool. A tissue separation tip at the distal portion of the sheath advances the sheath into the tissue towards the surgical site. The tissue separation tip is arranged to form a tissue gap and provide the at least one surgical instrument access to the tissue gap for performing a medical procedure consonant with the formation of the tissue gap or the performance of work at the surgical site.

Abstract: An introducer and method provides a surgical tool with a pathway through tissue to a surgical site, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surgical instrument. The introducer comprises a flexible sheath having a distal portion including a distal end and is arranged for receiving the surgical tool. A tissue separation tip at the distal portion of the sheath advances the sheath into the tissue towards the surgical site. The tissue separation tip is arranged to form a tissue gap and provide the at least one surgical instrument access to the tissue gap for performing a medical procedure consonant with the formation of the tissue gap or the performance of work at the surgical site.

Abstract: A system for measuring hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) including a sample system, a signal processing and system control device, at least one polarograph device and a computing device equipped with software for environmental and biological data analysis incorporating both user-defined and environmental data acquired by the signal processing and system control device. The system measures gas level or exchange (production and/or consumption) in the field or laboratory. In some embodiments, the system uses two Clark-type polarograph devices oppositely polarized with gas-specific polarographic circuits, wherein one polarograph device measures H2 gas and the other measures O2 gas. In some embodiments, the sample system includes an environmentally-controlled sample housing for accepting the polarograph devices and holding a test sample in a reservoir. The system measures H2 or O2 exchange in microbial samples, including microbial phototrophs which couple light harvesting to H2 and/or O2 exchange.

Abstract: An introducer and method provides a surgical tool with a pathway through tissue to a surgical site, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surgical instrument. The introducer comprises a flexible sheath having a distal portion including a distal end and is arranged for receiving the surgical tool. A tissue separation tip at the distal portion of the sheath advances the sheath into the tissue towards the surgical site. The tissue separation tip is arranged to form a tissue gap and provide the at least one surgical instrument access to the tissue gap for performing a medical procedure consonant with the formation of the tissue gap or the performance of work at the surgical site.

Abstract: A system for measuring hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) including a sample system, a signal processing and system control device, at least one polarograph device and a computing device equipped with software for environmental and biological data analysis incorporating both user-defined and environmental data acquired by the signal processing and system control device. The system measures gas level or exchange (production and/or consumption) in the field or laboratory. In some embodiments, the system uses two Clark-type polarograph devices oppositely polarized with gas-specific polarographic circuits, wherein one polarograph device measures H2 gas and the other measures O2 gas. In some embodiments, the sample system includes an environmentally-controlled sample housing for accepting the polarograph devices and holding a test sample in a reservoir. The system measures H2 or O2 exchange in microbial samples, including microbial phototrophs which couple light harvesting to H2 and/or O2 exchange.

Abstract: An introducer and method provides a surgical tool with a pathway through tissue to a surgical site, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surgical instrument. The introducer comprises a flexible sheath having a distal portion including a distal end and is arranged for receiving the surgical tool. A tissue separation tip at the distal portion of the sheath advances the sheath into the tissue towards the surgical site. The tissue separation tip is arranged to form a tissue gap and provide the at least one surgical instrument access to the tissue gap for performing a medical procedure consonant with the formation of the tissue gap or the performance of work at the surgical site.