Abstract: A method for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface includes providing a winch having a drive system and two reels operatively coupled to the drive system. Two straps are attached to each of the reels. Two wedge cushions are provided for pushing the patient in the direction of the winch from the first surface to the second surface. The wedge cushions have a cover, an insert and an attachment mechanism for attaching them to the straps. The wedge cushions are thinner at the attachment mechanism end. The first of the two straps is passed beneath the patient and is attached to a first wedge cushion. The second of the two straps is passed beneath the patient and is attached to another wedge cushion. The reels are rotated, thereby pulling the two straps until each of the wedge cushions wedge firmly beneath the patient. Nest, the reels are rotated together, thereby pulling the two straps until the patient is transferred from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A patient transfer method and apparatus designed to efficiently move a patient from one surface to another. A set of straps connected at one end to a winch are passed beneath the patient and attached to a padded support rod on the other side of the patient. The winch is used to pull the straps, and hence the padded support rod, thereby pulling the patient from the first surface to the second.

Abstract: A patient transfer method and apparatus designed to efficiently move a patient from one surface to another. A set of straps connected at one end to a winch are passed beneath the patient and attached to a padded support rod on the other side of the patient. The winch is used to pull the straps, and hence the padded support rod, thereby pulling the patient from the first surface to the second.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for moving or transferring a prone person or other body between two platforms, permitting a single caregiver of less than average strength to perform such transfer between an unmodified bed and a second surface, which may for example be part of a transport device. The method involves providing some form of low friction surface over any significant portion of a bed or other platform over which the person or other body is to be moved, the person either being mounted on a low friction board or sheet having straps extending therefrom to facilitate movement of the person across a first platform to a second platform, which is preferably mounted at a slightly lower height than the first one, or straps being wrapped around the person at two spaced locations and used for pulling the patient across the low friction surface to effect the transfer.

Abstract: A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.

Abstract: A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.

Abstract: An improved disposable pipette tip adapted to nest one within another and having a steeply tapered side wall to minimize the length to volume ratio of the tip. An improved self standing tray for the tip also is disclosed as is a new package for pipette tips.

Abstract: A blood bank microscope in which cell/serum-reagent reactions can be viewed, from below, directly in the cuvettes in which the reactions take place and in which the cuvettes can be rocked to cause the contents thereof to flow back and forth within the viewer's field of observation.

Abstract: A fixed stroke pipette having a measuring piston that controls the volume of liquid aspirated into the pipette reservoir and a larger piston that assures the expulsion of all the aspirated liquid during a discharge stroke. An improved piston arrangement provides a fixed seal for the air chamber in which the measuring piston moves and a separate air passageway to that air chamber, controlled by a spring biased check valve, through which compressed air is delivered to the pipette reservoir during a discharge stroke.

Abstract: An element suitable for attachment to a hospital wristband or patient specimen container such as test tubes or the like is disclosed which element has a coating of magnetizable material that is encoded along a circular track with patient identification and other desired information relating to the patient and the system employing such elements. The element is used to associate positively a patient with a specimen taken from him, or with medicine or treatment to be given him.

Abstract: A pipette having a first piston means for aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into a liquid reservoir, and a second piston means for delivering a relatively high volume of air to expel liquid from the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A manual pipette adapted to use disposable plastic tips into which a liquid is drawn and from which it is dispensed is provided with means for dislodging the tip from the pipette after use. The disposable tip which is normally frictionally held at the distal end of the pipette is pushed off the pipette by a sleeve member that is slideably mounted on the barrel of the pipette.