Abstract: A method of and system for obtaining a consistent volume of a viscous material includes inserting a sample holder portion of a collection device into a body of the viscous material and filling an open, concave sample receptacle of the sample holder portion with the viscous material. A scrapper is used to remove excess viscous material above the open, concave receptacle. The collection device and the viscous material loaded therein are inserted into a sample vial. Then, the sample vial with the collection device therein is inserted into the port of an analyzer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating hypercalcemia in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that decreases the expression level and/or activity of GPR64. Compositions comprising the therapeutic agents and methods of screening for agonists and inhibitors of GPR64 are also provided. Compositions and methods for treating primary hyperparathyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and osteoporosis without hyperparathyroidism are also provided.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression board includes a board (10) configured for a patient. A leg (20) is pivotally connected to the board, and the leg includes a free end portion having a mechanical feature (35) configured to be received in a compression device to adjustably secure the compression device at a distance from the board in an operational position. A locking mechanism (32, 42) is configured to releasably maintain the leg in the operational position, which is transverse to a plane of the board.

Abstract: A grinder for reducing particle size of an organic matter, for example herbs, includes a housing assembly supporting a gauge screen therein to define a cutting chamber thereabove and a receiving chamber therebelow. A plurality of fixed blades are mounted in the cutting chamber in fixed relation to the housing assembly and a plurality of rotating blades rotate relative to the fixed blades to reduce size of the organic matter by cutting, shearing and/or grinding. The gauge screen is replaceable with other screens of different gauge independently of the fixed and rotating blades. The blades are bidirectional and include guide surfaces on the fixed blades which guide material downwardly and into the direction of rotation relative to respective cutting edges of the blades as the rotating blades are rotated relative to the fixed blades in either direction.

Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be moveably fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. The example seal includes a seal stiffener adjacent the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier to increase the stiffness of the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier in a first flow direction. The example seal includes a substantially rigid seal ring to engage an opposing surface.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a pneumatic system that (1) pressurizes the system to a first inflation pressure, (2) ceases the pressurizing for a settling-in time period, (3) measures a settled-in pressure after the settling-in time period, (4) measures a decayed pressure after a decay time period, (5) determines a determined rate of decay of the pressure in the system over the decay time period, and (6) compares the determined rate of decay to a first stored decay rate.

Abstract: The present invention is an atherectomy catheter with a rotary cutting knife that is driven from the distal (nose) or side (circumference) direction. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber mounted in between the rotary cutting knife and the main catheter tubing. In contrast to prior art designs, which utilized nose mounted plaque collection chambers, the present design is able to store a substantially larger volume of removed plaque, thus increasing the length of time and amount of plaque removal that can be accomplished before the catheter must be removed from the body and cleaned. This decreases medical procedure time, allows for more complete and careful plaque removal, and reduces the burden on the patient and physician.

Abstract: A bilateral upper limb exercise device (10) for exercising a user's arms comprising a central mounting structure (12) that is mountable to a fixed surface or structure (15), left and right limb supports (14a, 14b) for supporting the forearm and/or hand of a respective arm of the user, and a pair of articulated linkage arms (22a, 22b) that are pivotably coupled to opposite sides of the central mounting structure (12) and which are arranged to support a respective limb support (14a, 14b) for movement in at least two degrees of freedom in a two-dimensional (2D) movement plane. A mirroring mechanism is also operatively coupled to the articulated linkage arms (22a, 22b) such that movement of the opposing limb support relative to a central line of symmetry of the device.

Abstract: A spectrometer sample head including a housing, at least one source of radiation in the housing, and a flip top sample cell including first and second hinged plates and a window through the first plate with a pane in the window, the pane for receiving a sample thereon. The housing includes a channel for receiving the plates when coupled together for placing the sample in the optical path of the radiation.

Abstract: A corrugated box may include a plurality of sidewall portions separated by a fold line and a plurality of flaps extending from the sidewall portions and isolated from one another by a slot arranged in alignment with the fold line when the flaps are unfolded and the slot may include a fold line end comprising a stress relieving termination and a handle may be provided that may include a cutout line with a return portion foaming a stress relieving end and a series of tabs may be provided for securing a seam of the box.

Abstract: The present invention is an atherectomy catheter with a rotary cutting knife that is driven from the distal (nose) or side (circumference) direction. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber mounted in between the rotary cutting knife and the main catheter tubing. In contrast to prior art designs, which utilized nose mounted plaque collection chambers, the present design is able to store a substantially larger volume of removed plaque, thus increasing the length of time and amount of plaque removal that can be accomplished before the catheter must be removed from the body and cleaned. This decreases medical procedure time, allows for more complete and careful plaque removal, and reduces the burden on the patient and physician.

Abstract: The overflow and underflow effluents of a conventional hydrocyclone are discharged into enclosed vessels, so that the operating pressure may be manipulated for each effluent independently of other operating parameters. Each of the effluent vessels is equipped with a source of pressurized gas to form a gas blanket over the effluent at a controllable pressure. Such variable pressures in each vessel, in combination with the pressure of the incoming feed stream, provide the necessary parameters to implement pressure-differential-ratio control, thereby improving the efficiency of separation.