Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chassis are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.

Abstract: A tissue orientation clip and a delivery device that delivers one or more tissue orientation clips to a tissue site are provided. The tissue orientation clip includes a first clip jaw and a second clip jaw, with each including one or more teeth, and includes a first lateral handle positioned on a proximal end of the first clip jaw, and a second lateral handle positioned on a proximal end of the first clip jaw. A method of delivering one or more tissue orientation clips to a tissue specimen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an inlet, an outlet and an opening, and an insert removably insertable in the opening. The insert has a first side facing upwards and a second side facing downwards when positioned in the opening. The first side and the second side have a conduit positioned therebetween, and a control valve located at least partially within the conduit and movable between an open position and a closed position. The control valve in the closed position stops fluid from passing through the conduit. When the insert is inserted in the opening and the control valve is in the closed position, the insert substantially seals the inlet and stops fluid flowing to the outlet.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chassis are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chasses are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chasses are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an inlet, an outlet and an opening, and an insert removably insertable in the opening. The insert has a first side facing upwards and a second side facing downwards when positioned in the opening. The first side and the second side have a conduit positioned therebetween, and a control valve located at least partially within the conduit and movable between an open position and a closed position. The control valve in the closed position stops fluid from passing through the conduit. When the insert is inserted in the opening and the control valve is in the closed position, the insert substantially seals the inlet and stops fluid flowing to the outlet.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A roller housed within a roller chassis contacts the tube and is configured to move between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A second roller is rotatably coupled to an actuator for rotatably energizing the second roller and is moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever is operably coupled to the housing and configured to actuate a motor to move the second roller to the second position. The first roller and the second roller are configured to compress the tube to move contents within the tube.

Abstract: A shaft and sprocket assembly having an elongate shaft, a sprocket wheel and at least one bracket member. The sprocket wheel encircles and engages the shaft wherein torque is transferrable between the shaft and the sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel includes radially outwardly extending teeth and is formed by a plurality of sprocket members. Each of the sprocket members defines an angular portion of the sprocket wheel less than 360 degrees. The bracket member detachably secures the individual plurality of sprocket members together thereby allowing the sprocket members to be easily removed from and installed on the shaft. The bracket member is positioned such that no torque is directly transferred from the shaft to the bracket member. The shaft and sprocket assembly can be used in a variety of applications including in the feederhouse of an agricultural combine.

Abstract: A shaft and sprocket assembly having an elongate shaft, a sprocket wheel and at least one bracket member. The sprocket wheel encircles and engages the shaft wherein torque is transferrable between the shaft and the sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel includes radially outwardly extending teeth and is formed by a plurality of sprocket members. Each of the sprocket members defines an angular portion of the sprocket wheel less than 360 degrees. The bracket member detachably secures the individual plurality of sprocket members together thereby allowing the sprocket members to be easily removed from and installed on the shaft. The bracket member is positioned such that no torque is directly transferred from the shaft to the bracket member. The shaft and sprocket assembly can be used in a variety of applications including in the feederhouse of an agricultural combine.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A roller housed within a roller chassis contacts the tube and is configured to move between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A second roller is rotatably coupled to an actuator for rotatably energizing the second roller and is moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever is operably coupled to the housing and configured to actuate a motor to move the second roller to the second position. The first roller and the second roller are configured to compress the tube to move contents within the tube.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: An exercise machine comprising: a frame and a support mechanism having a user interactive surface, the user interactive surface comprising a middle section, an upper section), and a lower section disposed vertically below the middle section; the upper and lower sections each including one or both of a visually observable display and a manually actuatable member, the middle section including a surface that is blank; the support mechanism including a mount mechanism adapted to mount a readily portable object in an orientation such that the object overlies entirely within the blank surface of the middle section.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel fluorescent core-shell nanoparticles comprising an encapsulated fluorescent core comprising an ionically bound fluorescent dye and a metal oxide shell. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention a core containing indocyanine green (ICG) with a silica shell that displays excellent photostability for generation of a near infrared fluorescence signal. The fluorescent core-shell nanoparticle can be further modified to act as an MRI, x-ray, or PAT contrast agent. The ICG nanoparticles can also be used as photodynamic therapeutic agent. Other embodiments of the invention directed to methods of making the novel core-shell nanoparticles and to the use of the core-shell nanoparticles for in vitro or in vivo imaging.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.