Abstract: The present specification is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice.

Abstract: A frame-supported vehicle, such as a bicycle or the like, has at least one frame component made of a light diffusing or fluorescent translucent or transparent material to form a leaky light pipe, and at least one light source in light communication with the frame component, whereby light propagates within the frame and is visible from outside the frame by diffusion or fluorescence or a combination thereof. The bicycle is highly visible at night, and may carry logos or other indicia that are enhanced by the background illumination, which may be redirected out of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice.

Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

Abstract: A product cushioning structure for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container having a plurality of container walls has at least two interconnected outer container-contacting panels for supporting and stabilizing the cushioning structure within the outer packaging container in at least two mutually perpendicular directions. At least two inner product-supporting panels support the shock sensitive product within the cushioning structure. Intermediate wall sections extend between the outer container-contacting panels and the inner product-supporting panels. The intermediate wall sections, outer container-contacting panels and inner product-supporting panels are made of a stiff paper-board material and are joined together to form box-like cells between the respective inner product-supporting panels and outer container-contacting panels. The cells are crushable to provide shock absorption support to the product during shock loading conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary product cushioning device for supporting shock sensitive products during transport in an exterior container, comprising a product support region having a platform; a flap hingedly connected on either side of the product support region for folding upwards and towards the product support region; a plurality of ribs on each flap and product support region, the ribs defining product-supporting cavities therebetween for receiving and supporting the products; a cutout between each flap and product support region. Fold stops may hingedly connect each flap and product support region, the fold stop being angled to facilitate folding of the flap towards the product support region to form a generally “U” shape in the exterior container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary product cushioning device for supporting shock sensitive products during transport in an exterior container, comprising a product support region having a platform; a flap hingedly connected on either side of the product support region for folding upwards and towards the product support region; a plurality of ribs on each flap and product support region, the ribs defining product-supporting cavities therebetween for receiving and supporting the products; a cutout between each flap and product support region. Fold stops may hingedly connect each flap and product support region, the fold stop being angled to facilitate folding of the flap towards the product support region to form a generally “U” shape in the exterior container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product cushioning device for supporting a shock sensitive product during shipping, said product cushioning structure being made of a moldable resilient plastics material. The device comprises a plurality of device surfaces suitably shaped and sized to accommodate the shock sensitive product, one of the plurality of device surfaces including a product supporting region at least partially surrounded by product contacting walls, and having a product supporting platform in the lower region thereof; and a three-dimensional structural feature formed into a least one of the plurality of device surfaces; wherein the three-dimensional structural feature serves to control the amount and rate of deflection in the event of impact. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional structural feature comprises a plurality of lines of weakness in a projecting part protruding from at least one device surface being formed of a male mold, wherein in use a top portion of the projecting part rests against the product.

Abstract: A photo-acoustic flow meter for use in dialysis is described, that uses an optical beam to generate an acoustic signal in the fluid for which the flow rate is to be measured. The phase angle of the acoustic signal changes when traversing upstream and when traversing downstream. The phase difference between the acoustic signals received upstream and downstream, compared with a reference source signal is measured, and it yields the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary product cushioning device for supporting shock sensitive products during transport in an exterior container, comprising a product support region having a platform; a flap hingedly connected on either side of the product support region for folding upwards and towards the product support region; a plurality of ribs on each flap and product support region, the ribs defining product-supporting cavities therebetween for receiving and supporting the products; a cutout between each flap and product support region. Fold stops may hingedly connect each flap and product support region, the fold stop being angled to facilitate folding of the flap towards the product support region to form a generally “U” shape in the exterior container.

Abstract: A protective packaging device for a shock sensitive product being shipped or stored in a rectilinear outer packaging container comprises a product receiving cavity having product contacting walls and a product supporting platform. A base portion located below the product receiving cavity has two pairs of deflection elements extending diagonally away from the corners of the cavity towards external outer packaging container contacting corners, and bottom outer packaging container contacting lips at the bottom of the base portion. The distances between adjacent pairs of outer packaging container contacting corners are substantially equal to the internal distances between adjacent pairs of corners of the outer packaging container. The deflection elements are adapted to flex away one from another, and the bottom outer packaging container contacting lips are adapted to spread away from one another, under shock loading conditions. Thus, shock protection is provided in three mutually perpendicular directions.

Abstract: A unitary product cushioning structure for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container, together with co-packaged accessories to be placed also in the same outer packaging container is formed of a moldable resilient plastics material. Shock absorption protection and impact protection from the co-packaged accessories during shock loading conditions in three mutually perpendicular directions is provided. A a product supporting region is defined by walls and a product supporting platform, and is surrounded by flexible shock absorbing spring transition sections arranged inwardly of outer container contacting walls. A void is formed beneath the platform, which is ribbed so as to provide a further barrier to protect the shock sensitive device from impact or contact from any co-packeged accessory.

Abstract: A protective packaging device for a shock sensitive product being shipped or stored in a rectilinear outer packaging container comprises a product receiving cavity having product contacting walls and a product supporting platform. A base portion located below the product receiving cavity has two pairs of deflection elements extending diagonally away from the corners of the cavity towards external outer packaging container contacting corners, and bottom outer packaging container contacting lips at the bottom of the base portion. The distances between adjacent pairs of outer packaging container contacting corners are substantially equal to the internal distances between adjacent pairs of corners of the outer packaging container. The deflection elements are adapted to flex away one from another, and the bottom outer packaging container contacting lips are adapted to spread away from one another, under shock loading conditions. Thus, shock protection is provided in three mutually perpendicular directions.

Abstract: A unitary product cushioning structure for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container, together with co-packaged accessories to be placed also in the same outer packaging container is formed of a moldable resilient plastics material. Shock absorption protection and impact protection from the co-packaged accessories during shock loading conditions in three mutually perpendicular directions is provided. A a product supporting region is defined by walls and a product supporting platform, and is surrounded by flexible shock absorbing spring transition sections arranged inwardly of outer container contacting walls. A void is formed beneath the platform, which is ribbed so as to provide a further barrier to protect the shock sensitive device from impact or contact from any co-packeged accessory.

Abstract: A unitary product cushioning structure for supporting a shock sensitive product in an outer packaging container is formed of moldable resilient plastics material. It has an outer container contacting wall at each side which is intended to contact an outer packaging container, and a flexible shock absorbing spring section at each such side. A product supporting region is bounded by outer product supporting region defining walls, inner product contacting walls, an upper ridge between them, and a product supporting platform. Shock absorption support for a shock sensitive product is provided in at least two of three mutually perpendicular directions; most embodiments, including end pieces, end caps, trays and covers, and corner pieces, provide shock absorption protection in three mutually perpendicular directions. The structure is usually thermoformed, but may be otherwise molded from a suitable resilient and moldable plastics material.

Abstract: A drawing compass including a body having a pivot point and a longitudinal slot formed therein, the longitudinal slot defining a first inner surface. The drawing compass further includes a carriage received in and movable along the longitudinal slot. The carriage has a guide to receive a writing instrument therethrough and a movable arm biased against the first inner surface. The compass also includes means for releasably coupling the arm to the body.

Abstract: A drawing compass including a body having a pivot point and a longitudinal slot formed therein, the longitudinal slot defining a first inner surface. The drawing compass further includes a carriage received in and movable along the longitudinal slot. The carriage has a guide to receive a writing instrument therethrough and a movable arm biased against the first inner surface. The compass also includes means for releasably coupling the arm to the body.

Abstract: AXOR10 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing AXOR10 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.