Abstract: X-ray procedure tables with improved structural strength that enable radiation shielding and integrated medical device and monitoring systems. The design allows the incorporation of an integrated patient support structure, radiation shielding and associated devices and conduits for medical care in procedures that employ X-ray imaging. The X-ray procedure table may be formed from a sled table attachable to a pedestal, with at least one side member extending along a bottom of the sled table to add structural rigidity.

Abstract: A transparent radiation shield, attachable to a patient support platform, and movable to shield a physician from imaging radiation, includes a transparent computer display that is controllable to provide a data overlay on the shield pertaining to patient data and/or x-ray images.

Abstract: A puller for pulling an element, such as a pulley or seal, from an assembly to which it is fitted. The puller generally includes a central body having a longitudinal axis, an adjustment ring threaded on the body for moving longitudinally with rotation, slide followers coupled to the ring and moving longitudinally with ring rotation, a plurality of leg assemblies, each including a foot and two legs pivotly attaching the foot to the body so as to form a parallelogram, and a arm pivotly connecting each slide follower to a leg assembly for expanding or contracting the leg assembly. Each foot has one or more foot flanges, each with an engagement surface for engaging with the element to be pulled; the orientation of the engagement surfaces being predetermined so as to not disengage from the element and to provide uniform pull and minimum pressure.

Abstract: A puller for pulling an element, such as a pulley or seal, from an assembly to which it is fitted. The puller generally includes a central body having a longitudinal axis, an adjustment ring threaded on the body for moving longitudinally with rotation, slide followers coupled to the ring and moving longitudinally with ring rotation, a plurality of leg assemblies, each including a foot and two legs pivotly attaching the foot to the body so as to form a parallelogram, and a arm pivotly connecting each slide follower to a leg assembly for expanding or contracting the leg assembly. Each foot has one or more foot flanges, each with an engagement surface for engaging with the element to be pulled; the orientation of the engagement surfaces being predetermined so as to not disengage from the element and to provide uniform pull and minimum pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for shipping products that include (a) sending requests for quotations by electronic transmission to a plurality of selected carriers based upon customer order specifications, available delivery options and a carrier quality database; (b) selecting a carrier quotation based upon quotations received by electronic transmission and the carrier quality database and updating the carrier quality database with the selected carrier and quotation; (c) preparing the product shipment including using an optical scanner to measure shipment dimensions and a weight scale to measure shipment weight of the product shipment; and (d) if the measured dimensions and weight do not conform to the selected quotation, repeating steps (b) and (c) with measured shipment dimensions and weight or, if the measured dimensions and weight do conform to the selected quotation, notifying carrier to ship the product.

Abstract: Automated techniques for identifying packaging solutions, where a dynamic, automated decision is made as to whether items are to be bulk packed and/or whether particular containers are to be bulk cased (that is, consolidated within casing such as pallets). Factors considered may comprise customer-specific requests, order destination, type of items, quantity of items, size of items, quantity of grouped orders, size of grouped orders, and so forth. Orders may contain items that are alike as well as items that are different from one another. A particular order or orders may be assembled as the items of the order(s) arrive for packaging, without requiring a fixed timing or sequence of item arrival, thereby providing a dynamic, real-time packaging solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for shipping products that include (a) sending requests for quotations by electronic transmission to a plurality of selected carriers based upon customer order specifications, available delivery options and a carrier quality database; (b) selecting a carrier quotation based upon quotations received by electronic transmission and the carrier quality database and updating the carrier quality database with the selected carrier and quotation; (c) preparing the product shipment including using an optical scanner to measure shipment dimensions and a weight scale to measure shipment weight of the product shipment; and (d) if the measured dimensions and weight do not conform to the selected quotation, repeating steps (b) and (c) with measured shipment dimensions and weight or, if the measured dimensions and weight do conform to the selected quotation, notifying carrier to ship the product.

Abstract: Automated techniques for identifying packaging solutions, where a dynamic, automated decision is made as to whether items are to be bulk packed and/or whether particular containers are to be bulk cased (that is, consolidated within casing such as pallets). Factors considered may comprise customer-specific requests, order destination, type of items, quantity of items, size of items, quantity of grouped orders, size of grouped orders, and so forth. Orders may contain items that are alike as well as items that are different from one another. A particular order or orders may be assembled as the items of the order(s) arrive for packaging, without requiring a fixed timing or sequence of item arrival, thereby providing a dynamic, real-time packaging solution.

Abstract: A boring tool for use in a tool holder, such as a boring head, that is driven about a drive axis and includes a pair of parallel bores for mounting boring tools generally includes a body including a cutting edge and a pair of mounting shanks for mounting in the bores of the tool holder. Preferably, the mounting shanks can be mounted in either bore and the cutting edge is disposed on the body so as to be different distances from the driven axis depending upon in which bores the mounting shanks are mounted.