Abstract: A valve assembly for a medical device including a container including a first region and a second region, a first fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the first region, a second fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the second region, and a piston assembly disposed within the container. The container is configured to house an agent within the second region, the first fluid inlet is configured to deliver a first portion of pressurized fluid to the first region at a first pressure level, and the second fluid inlet is configured to deliver a second portion of pressurized fluid to the second region at a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure level. The piston assembly includes a valve configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to the piston assembly moving relative to the container.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a medical device that includes a piston configured to move relative to an enclosure of the medical device, the enclosure including a first region in fluid communication with an agent, and a second region in fluid communication with a source of fluid. The piston includes a chamber disposed on a sidewall of the piston which is configured to receive the agent. The piston is configured to move to a first position where the chamber is in fluid communication with the first region and not in fluid communication with the second region such that the agent is received within the chamber, and further configured to move to a second position where the chamber is in fluid communication with the second region and not in fluid communication with the first region, such that the agent within the chamber is mixed with the fluid received in the second region.

Abstract: A valve assembly that includes an inlet that is in fluid communication with an enclosure of a medical device, an outlet that is in fluid communication with a delivery conduit of the medical device, and a body having a channel that is in fluid communication with a source of fluid. The body is configured to move relative to the inlet and outlet to selectively fluidly couple the channel with the enclosure and delivery conduit. In a first position of the body, the channel is misaligned with at least one of the inlet or the outlet, such that the delivery conduit is not in fluid communication with at least one of the enclosure or the source of fluid. In a second position of the body, the channel is aligned with the inlet and outlet such that the delivery conduit is in fluid communication with the enclosure and the source of fluid.

Abstract: A serving tray system includes a serving tray and a handle. A magnetic member and a release member are supported by the handle. The magnetic member is configured to selectively secure the handle to the serving tray. The release member is configured to selectively engage the serving tray to space the magnetic member from the serving tray for separating the handle from the serving tray.

Abstract: A serving tray system includes a serving tray and a handle. A magnetic member and a release member are supported by the handle. The magnetic member is configured to selectively secure the handle to the serving tray. The release member is configured to selectively engage the serving tray to space the magnetic member from the serving tray for separating the handle from the serving tray.

Abstract: A serving tray system includes a serving tray and handle. The handle includes a holding end portion dimensioned to be carried by a user and a coupling end portion that selectively releasably secures to the tray. The handle supports a magnetic member that provides a magnetic force. The handle includes a movable member that is selectively movable relative to the holding end portion between first and second states. A movement of the movable member to the first state enables the magnetic force of the magnetic member to secure the coupling end portion of the handle to the tray. When the coupling end portion is secured to the tray, the coupling end portion is dimensioned to carry the tray. A movement of the movable member to the second state prevents the coupling end portion of the handle from securing to the tray.

Abstract: A serving tray system includes a serving tray and handle. The handle includes a holding end portion dimensioned to be carried by a user and a coupling end portion that selectively releasably secures to the tray. The handle supports a magnetic member that provides a magnetic force. The handle includes a movable member that is selectively movable relative to the holding end portion between first and second states. A movement of the movable member to the first state enables the magnetic force of the magnetic member to secure the coupling end portion of the handle to the tray. When the coupling end portion is secured to the tray, the coupling end portion is dimensioned to carry the tray. A movement of the movable member to the second state prevents the coupling end portion of the handle from securing to the tray.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording information on a phase change medium is disclosed. The method includes irradiating a region of the phase change medium with a first dose of laser energy. A first portion of the region is irradiated with a second dose of laser energy in a manner that causes the first portion of the region irradiated with the second dose of laser energy to be in a different state than a second portion of the region that is not irradiated by the second dose of laser energy.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for reading a CD having a surface with a multiple level data track including a laser, a focusing and positioning system configured in a way which causes the laser to follow the multiple level data track, a detector which converts the light which is reflected from the data track to an electrical signal, a digital signal processing unit configured to receive the electrical signal including a scaling-function generator for determining a plurality of signal windows from the electrical signal, and a multiple level analog to digital converter which determines a data level based on the signal windows and the electrical signal whereby multiple data levels may be read from the CD.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.