Abstract: A drain cassette for a dialysis unit has a fluid channel between venous and arterial connection ports, and a valve may controllably open and close fluid communication between a drain outlet port and the venous connection port or the arterial connection port. A blood circuit assembly and drain cassette may be removable from the dialysis unit, e.g., by hand and without the use of tools. A blood circuit assembly may include a single, unitary member that defines portions of a pair of blood pumps, control valves, channels to accurately position flexible tubing for an occluder, an air trap support, and/or other portions of the assembly. A blood circuit assembly engagement device may assist with retaining a blood circuit assembly on the dialysis unit, and/or with removal of the assembly. An actuator may operate a retainer element and an ejector element that interact with the assembly.

Abstract: A video visitation communication system configured to establish a communication channel using transmittal of simple identifiers. The system includes a plurality of communication stations, each station having a microphone configured to generate an audio signal, a video camera configured to receive the audio signal and generate a combined audio/video signal for transmission, and a display configured to display a received audio/video signal. The system further includes a communication administration station configured to perform steps stored on a computer readable medium to establish a communication channel between the first communication station and the second communication station.

Abstract: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

Abstract: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a support member which supports a movably mounted dispensing member. The support member is movable between first and second positions. A single drive system causes the dispensing member to move relative to the support member to a number of dispense positions while the support member is in its first position and causes the support member to move to the second position.