Abstract: A medical guidance apparatus (100) includes a base assembly (110) configured to be attached to a subject and a guide (150) configured to be removably mated with the base assembly (110). The base assembly (110) has an opening (160), and the guide (150) includes a rotatable ring (152) and an arc member (154). The arc member (154) includes a first end (162) and a second end (164), the first end of the arc member is connected to the rotatable ring (152) and the second end extends diametrically opposite to the first end across the rotatable ring. A probe holder (600) is mounted on the arc member (154) so as to hold a needle-like instrument (2161) at a desired angle relative to an axis (Ax) of the rotatable ring (152). In some embodiments, the arc member is monolithically integrated with the rotatable ring. In other embodiments, the arc member is pivotable and/or completely removable from the rotating ring.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting multi-probe guidance are disclosed. The system comprises: a medical guidance apparatus comprising: a rotatable portion which is rotatable around a first axis; an arc guide attached to or integrally formed with the rotatable portion, and a probe holder movably mounted on the arc guide. The probe holder is rotatable around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis by being translated along an arcuate path defined by the shape of the arc guide. In one embodiment, the probe holder includes a plurality of probe channels to guide a corresponding plurality of probes parallel to each other towards a subject. In other embodiment, the probe holder includes a single probe channel which is offset from a center point of the guidance apparatus by a fixed distance such that each probe can be inserted sequentially through a different insertion point without colliding at the center point.

Abstract: A medical guidance apparatus (100) includes a base assembly (110) configured to be attached to a subject and a guide (150) configured to be removably mated with the base assembly (110). The base assembly (110) has an opening (160), and the guide (150) includes a rotatable ring (152) and an arc member (154). The arc member (154) includes a first end (162) and a second end (164), the first end of the arc member is connected to the rotatable ring (152) and the second end extends diametrically opposite to the first end across the rotatable ring. A probe holder (600) is mounted on the arc member (154) so as to hold a needle-like instrument (2161) at a desired angle relative to an axis (Ax) of the rotatable ring (152). In some embodiments, the arc member is monolithically integrated with the rotatable ring. In other embodiments, the arc member is pivotable and/or completely removable from the rotating ring.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting multi-probe guidance are disclosed. The system comprises: a medical guidance apparatus comprising: a rotatable portion which is rotatable around a first axis; an arc guide attached to or integrally formed with the rotatable portion, and a probe holder movably mounted on the arc guide. The probe holder is rotatable around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis by being translated along an arcuate path defined by the shape of the arc guide. In one embodiment, the probe holder includes a plurality of probe channels to guide a corresponding plurality of probes parallel to each other towards a subject. In other embodiment, the probe holder includes a single probe channel which is offset from a center point of the guidance apparatus by a fixed distance such that each probe can be inserted sequentially through a different insertion point without colliding at the center point.

Abstract: Polymeric thin-film tube connectors, bioreactors, systems and methods are described, the connectors allowing connection of a polymeric thin-film tube of a bioreactor chamber with a complementary part, typically, rigid port of flange of the bioreactor or bioreactor system. Further, bioreactors having a thin-film reactor chamber and one or more connectors are described. The thin-film reactor chamber can have a thin-film wall for enclosing culture medium and microorganisms. The connector can include a flexible boot. An opening of the thin-film wall couples to the flexible boot. The thin-film wall can extend through a reactor end of the flexible boot and can rest against an interior surface of the flexible boot. The connectors are particularly advantageous for connecting standard utilities in a bioreactor system to thin-film bioreactor chambers or capsules having a thin-film tubular opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photobioreactor for a phototrophic microorganism, and culture medium therefor, comprising a capsule, the capsule comprising an elongated body comprised of a first, flexible polymer film that is at least partially transparent to light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in a phototrophic microorganism and divided width wise into a plurality of adjacent channels, each channel having a major cross-sectional dimension that is not more than about one-third of the length of the elongated body, when the elongated body is inflated; and a fluid distribution structure coupled to the elongated body adapted for fluid communication with the plurality of adjacent channels that distributes a flow of culture medium amongst the plurality of channels, wherein the fluid distribution structure is comprised of a second, flexible polymer film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor having a reactor chamber and one or more support chambers. The reactor chamber can have one or more flexible walls for enclosing microorganisms and culture medium. The reactor chamber provides an enclosure for microorganism and culture medium. The support chamber can also have one or more flexible walls. When inflated to a predetermined amount, the support chamber causes the microorganisms and culture medium to distribute to a substantially even depth across the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A portable vaporizer including a base, a steam stack which includes a baffle and a cup for retaining a liquid, a vented collar, a steam cap and a boiling chamber. The boiling chamber includes a heating element adapted to vaporize a liquid received therein. The vapor exiting the boiling chamber rises through a plurality of openings in the vented collar and mixes with ambient air drawn in through a second set of openings, resulting in a temperature drop in the vapor. The mixture hits the baffle, thus breaking the fluid stream into smaller streams, resulting in a further reduction in the vapor temperature. Consequently, the vapor leaving the vaporizer is at a lower temperature than that discharged from the boiling chamber.