Abstract: A track for a track system has a ground-facing side and a wheel-facing side including lugs having a base and defining a wheel path on which wheels of a track engaging assembly rolls on, the wheel path having first and second track side portions, and an intermediate track portion. When the wheel supports a load smaller than a nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. When the wheel supports a load equal or greater than the nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is substantially equal to or smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. A wheel for a track system is also described. A track system comprising a wheel and a track is also described.

Abstract: A track for a track system has a ground-facing side and a wheel-facing side including lugs having a base and defining a wheel path on which wheels of a track engaging assembly rolls on, the wheel path having first and second track side portions, and an intermediate track portion. When the wheel supports a load smaller than a nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. When the wheel supports a load equal or greater than the nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is substantially equal to or smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. A wheel for a track system is also described. A track system comprising a wheel and a track is also described.

Abstract: A track system for use with a towed vehicle has an attachment assembly and a multi-member frame assembly. The multi-member frame assembly includes a primary frame member connected to the attachment assembly, at least one wheel-bearing frame member pivotably connected to the primary frame member about a pivot located within a recess, and at least one resilient bushing assembly located within the recess and engaging the pivot. The at least one bushing assembly is resiliently deformable in a circumferential direction to permit pivoting of the pivot with respect to the recess, and is fixedly connected within the recess to resiliently bias the pivot towards a rest position with respect to the recess. The track system further includes leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies rotatably connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, and an endless track.

Abstract: A drive wheel for a track system having an endless track that has first, second, and third drive wheel engagers is disclosed. The drive wheel has a hub, a body, a rim, a plurality of first, second and third track engagers radially disposed on the rim. Each of the plurality of second track engagers are operationally aligned with one of the plurality of first track engagers. The plurality of third track engagers are on at least one lateral side of the plurality of first track engagers. The plurality of first, second and third track engagers are configured to, respectively, driveably engage with a first, second, and third drive wheel engagers of the endless track. An endless track and a track system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A track system for use with a towed vehicle has an attachment assembly and a multi-member frame assembly. The multi-member frame assembly includes a primary frame member connected to the attachment assembly, at least one wheel-bearing frame member pivotably connected to the primary frame member about a pivot located within a recess, and at least one resilient bushing assembly located within the recess and engaging the pivot. The at least one bushing assembly is resiliently deformable in a circumferential direction to permit pivoting of the pivot with respect to the recess, and is fixedly connected within the recess to resiliently bias the pivot towards a rest position with respect to the recess. The track system further includes leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies rotatably connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, and an endless track.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving objects along a path is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define the path of the conveyor. The upper edges of the rollers are aligned to define the surface of the path. Two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces define two side boundaries of the path. A barrier assembly is disposed within a gap in one of the side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto the conveyor from one side of the conveyor. The barrier assembly is comprised of a mounting plate mounted to the conveyor and a barrier pivotally mounted to the mounting plate. The barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on one of the side rails. The barrier is movable between a first position wherein the wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of the roller and a second position wherein the wall section is disposed below the upper edge of the rollers.

Abstract: A cartridge holder (30) for an automated endoscope reprocessor (10) is mounted on a movable rack (14). As the rack is wheeled into the chamber, a connector (164) on the cartridge holder (164) automatically makes a fluid connection with a connection port (158) within the chamber. The cartridge holder includes a base (42) and a lid (44), which is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge (110). A cartridge (40) holding a dose of a disinfectant concentrate or reagents is positioned in a well (50) defined by the base and the lid closed. Water flows through the cartridge holder via a fluid passageway (A) defined in part by the lid and in part by the hinge. The water mixes with the concentrate or reagents and the resulting disinfectant solution passes out of a lower end (205) of the cartridge into the well. The solution flows upwardly, around the cartridge, through an annular space (232) between the cartridge and the well, disinfecting the well in the process.

Abstract: A cartridge holder (30) for an automated endoscope reprocessor (10) is mounted on a movable rack (14). As the rack is wheeled into the chamber, a connector (164) on the cartridge holder (164) automatically makes a fluid connection with a connection port (158) within the chamber. The cartridge holder includes a base (42) and a lid (44), which is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge (110). A cartridge (40) holding a dose of a disinfectant concentrate or reagents is positioned in a well (50) defined by the base and the lid closed. Water flows through the cartridge holder via a fluid passageway (A) defined in part by the lid and in part by the hinge. The water mixes with the concentrate or reagents and the resulting disinfectant solution passes out of a lower end (205) of the cartridge into the well. The solution flows upwardly, around the cartridge, through an annular space (232) between the cartridge and the well, disinfecting the well in the process.

Abstract: A cartridge holder (30) for an automated endoscope reprocessor (10) is mounted on a movable rack (14). As the rack is wheeled into the chamber, a connector (164) on the cartridge holder (164) automatically makes a fluid connection with a connection port (158) within the chamber. The cartridge holder includes a base (42) and a lid (44), which is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge (110). A cartridge (40) holding a dose of a disinfectant concentrate or reagents is positioned in a well (50) defined by the base and the lid closed. Water flows through the cartridge holder via a fluid passageway (A) defined in part by the lid and in part by the hinge. The water mixes with the concentrate or reagents and the resulting disinfectant solution passes out of a lower end (205) of the cartridge into the well. The solution flows upwardly, around the cartridge, through an annular space (232) between the cartridge and the well, disinfecting the well in the process.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving objects along a path is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define the path of the conveyor. The upper edges of the rollers are aligned to define the surface of the path. Two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces define two side boundaries of the path. A barrier assembly is disposed within a gap in one of the side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto the conveyor from one side of the conveyor. The barrier assembly is comprised of a mounting plate mounted to the conveyor and a barrier pivotally mounted to the mounting plate. The barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on one of the side rails. The barrier is movable between a first position wherein the wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of the roller and a second position wherein the wall section is disposed below the upper edge of the rollers.

Abstract: A system for data acquisition providing dual monitoring of sensor data. Data is acquired from sensing devices by a primary data acquisition circuit and a secondary data acquisition circuit. Multiple sensors are used to sense a condition of the same operating parameters, in order to verify a process condition. Data acquired by first and second sensing devices are respectively processed by the primary and secondary data acquisition circuits. According to one aspect of the present invention, a process condition is verified by comparing data associated with the first sensing device and data associated with the second sensing device. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention data acquired by a single sensing device may be processed through both the primary data acquisition circuit and the secondary data acquisition circuit, in order to verify operation of the primary and secondary data acquisition circuits.

Abstract: A system capable of cleaning and disinfecting a filter. A filter element is flushed with a disinfectant solution in a direction opposite to fluid filtration. A filter integrity test checks the integrity of the filter by pressurizing the filter.

Abstract: An automated endoscope reprocessor (10) includes a removable rack (12) for receiving a container (16, 16?). The container has a clamshell housing (20) having two mating portions (24, 26). The portions together define an internal pressurizable chamber (56) for receiving an endoscope head (22). The endoscope's connector cord (82) is carried through an outlet (80) to the chamber. The outlet is defined by channels (88, 90), one in each of the two housing portions (24, 26). A gasket assembly in the outlet provides a restricted fluid passage which allows a small portion of fluid to flow through the outlet when the connector cord is positioned therein. The gasket assembly (120) includes a number of resiliently flexible fins (126, 128, 130) positioned in each channel, each fin having a U-shaped slot (144, 146, 148). Pairs of fins overlap such that the slots together define openings (150) of diminishing size.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure exerted on a medical instrument in a reprocessor for microbially deactivating the medical instruments.

Abstract: A system for data acquisition providing dual monitoring of sensor data. Data is acquired from sensing devices by a primary data acquisition circuit and a secondary data acquisition circuit. Multiple sensors are used to sense a condition of the same operating parameters, in order to verify a process condition. Data acquired by a first sensing device is processed by the primary data acquisition circuit, and data acquired by a second sensing device is processed by the secondary data acquisition circuit. According to one aspect of the present invention, a process condition is verified by comparing data associated with the first sensing device and data associated with the second sensing device. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention data acquired by a single sensing device may be processed through both the primary data acquisition circuit and the secondary data acquisition circuit, in order to verify operation of the primary and secondary data acquisition circuits.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a valve assembly in an automated washing system, wherein the valve assembly is movable between an opened position and a normally closed position. The fixture is comprised of first and second housing sections that are releaseably attachable to each other. The housing sections define an internal cavity that is dimensioned to hold the valve assembly in an opened position. A fluid inlet is in communication with the chamber, and is attachable to a source of an anti-microbial fluid in the washing system. A fluid outlet communicates with the chamber to allow the anti-microbial fluid to exit the fixture.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a valve assembly in an automated washing system, wherein the valve assembly is movable between an opened position and a normally closed position. The fixture is comprised of first and second housing sections that are releaseably attachable to each other. The housing sections define an internal cavity that is dimensioned to hold the valve assembly in an opened position. A fluid inlet is in communication with the chamber, and is attachable to a source of an anti-microbial fluid in the washing system. A fluid outlet communicates with the chamber to allow the anti-microbial fluid to exit the fixture.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure exerted on a medical instrument in a reprocessor for microbially deactivating the medical instruments.