Abstract: A monitor-driven intracranial catheter assembly including dual lumen catheter for monitoring intracranial pressure via a pressure sensor located in one lumen while simultaneously draining cerebrospinal fluid through another lumen. A third lumen can also be provided with a side port for receiving a stylet. The stylet is used as a stiffening agent to aid in advancing the catheter into the patient's brain. The pressure sensor is preferably a spectral modulation sensor that communicates with a photodetector apparatus by means of a single optical fiber, thus minimizing the diameter of the catheter. The photodetector is self-correcting for signal errors caused by temperature change, changes in intensity of the input light, and transmission losses within the optical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for assembling a multiwell plate assembly, and a multiwell plate assembly prepared thereby, are provided. The method includes providing a lid for a multiwell plate body having at least one channel being formed therethrough; positioning the lid in proximity to a gasket member; applying sufficient negative pressure to the channel to draw the gasket member towards the lid; positioning the lid above a multiwell plate body, while continuing to apply negative pressure to the channel; emplacing the lid on the multiwell plate body; and, releasing the negative pressure from the channel. Advantageously, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various gasket members can be used in conjunction with the subject method, without altering the method. In this manner, gaskets can be selected based on their suitability for use with various biological and/or chemical samples which may be used in the bioassays.

Abstract: A culture dish assembly includes a polygonal culture dish with a bottom wall and a side wall enclosure formed by a plurality of generally planar panels joined consecutively to one another by non-planar corners. The side wall enclosure includes a generally planar top edge. Inner surface regions of a plurality of the planar panels are formed with a plurality of projections or recesses that are spaced from one another and spaced from the corners. A splash guard includes engagement flanges disposed for nesting with inner peripheral surface regions of the panels of the side wall enclosure. The engagement flanges include projections or recesses disposed for releasably engaging the projections or recesses on the side wall enclosure to hold the splash guard on the culture dish without creating stress concentrations in the corners.

Abstract: A culture dish assembly includes a polygonal culture dish with a bottom wall and a side wall enclosure formed by a plurality of generally planar panels joined consecutively to one another by non-planar corners. The side wall enclosure includes a generally planar top edge. Inner surface regions of a plurality of the planar panels are formed with a plurality of projections or recesses that are spaced from one another and spaced from the corners. A splash guard includes engagement flanges disposed for nesting with inner peripheral surface regions of the panels of the side wall enclosure. The engagement flanges include projections or recesses disposed for releasably engaging the projections or recesses on the side wall enclosure to hold the splash guard on the culture dish without creating stress concentrations in the corners.

Abstract: A method for assembling a multiwell plate assembly, and a multiwell plate assembly prepared thereby, are provided. The method includes providing a lid for a multiwell plate body having at least one channel being formed therethrough; positioning the lid in proximity to a gasket member; applying sufficient negative pressure to the channel to draw the gasket member towards the lid; positioning the lid above a multiwell plate body, while continuing to apply negative pressure to the channel; emplacing the lid on the multiwell plate body; and, releasing the negative pressure from the channel. Advantageously, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various gasket members can be used in conjunction with the subject method, without altering the method. In this manner, gaskets can be selected based on their suitability for use with various biological and/or chemical samples which may be used in the bioassays.

Abstract: A multi-well plate cover and assembly comprises a lid and a gasket. The lid is formed of a resilient material and configured to apply a compressive spring force to the surface of the gasket to seal the wells in a multi-well plate when the cover is secured to the multi-well plate. The lid has members for mechanical manipulation and for attachment to the multi-well plate.

Abstract: A culture dish assembly includes a polygonal culture dish with a bottom wall and a side wall enclosure formed by a plurality of generally planar panels joined consecutively to one another by non-planar corners. The side wall enclosure includes a generally planar top edge. Inner surface regions of a plurality of the planar panels are formed with a plurality of projections or recesses that are spaced from one another and spaced from the corners. A splash guard includes engagement flanges disposed for nesting with inner peripheral surface regions of the panels of the side wall enclosure. The engagement flanges include projections or recesses disposed for releasably engaging the projections or recesses on the side wall enclosure to hold the splash guard on the culture dish without creating stress concentrations in the corners.

Abstract: A method which utilizes injection-compression is provided for forming a multiwell plate having a clear lens. The method includes forming a multiwell plate body and having a clear lens injection-compressed thereto so as to be fused to the body to cover at least a portion of the wells of the body.

Abstract: A reversible Petri dish having selectable structural features for different applications related to receiving, growing and examining biological entities is provided. The reversible dish can be flipped over to select the dish side having the desired structural features. The reversible dish can accommodate uses which require the entire surface area of the bottom of a dish on one side and which require a deeper volume over less surface area on the opposite side.

Abstract: A method for assembling a multiwell plate assembly, and a multiwell plate assembly prepared thereby, are provided. The method includes providing a lid for a multiwell plate body having at least one channel being formed therethrough; positioning the lid in proximity to a gasket member; applying sufficient negative pressure to the channel to draw the gasket member towards the lid; positioning the lid above a multiwell plate body, while continuing to apply negative pressure to the channel; emplacing the lid on the multiwell plate body; and, releasing the negative pressure from the channel. Advantageously, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various gasket members can be used in conjunction with the subject method, without altering the method. In this manner, gaskets can be selected based on their suitability for use with various biological and/or chemical samples which may be used in the bioassays.

Abstract: A multi-well plate cover and assembly comprises a lid and gasket. The lid has integral spring means for uniformly applying force to the surface of a gasket to seal a multi-well plate. The lid has members for mechanical manipulation and for attachment to a multi-well plate.

Abstract: A method for inserting and maintaining an intracranial pressure monitoring catheter within a skull of a patient using a flexible catheter having a stylet insertion aperture formed in the side wall thereof opening to a stylet lumen extending to a closed distal end of the catheter. Two incisions are made in the scalp at a spaced distance apart. A bore hole through the patient's skull is then formed beneath a first of the incisions, and the catheter is inserted underneath the scalp from the second incision and out of the first incision until the stylet insertion aperture is exposed. A stylet is then inserted into the stylet insertion aperture and into the stylet lumen to impart stiffness to a distal portion of the catheter. The stylet-containing portion of the catheter is then inserted through the bore hole and advanced such that a pressure sensing/transmitting component on the distal end of the catheter is located intracranially.

Abstract: The medical site prep device of this invention includes a main body portion, preferably in the shape of a hollow ring, a sponge-like material attached to the bottom of the main body portion, a plate disposed in the center of the main body portion and a piston disposed above the plate in the center of the main body portion. The medical site prep device of this invention can simultaneously dispense an anti-microbial agent and a topical anesthetic at the medical site on a patient.

Abstract: A work machine includes a boom body having a top boom support structure, a bottom boom support structure, a first lateral boom support structure, and a second lateral boom support structure which cooperate with each other to define a boom void therein. The boom body also has a machine frame coupling defined therein. The work machine also includes a coupling subassembly which is positioned within the boom void and attached to the boom body. The coupling subassembly includes (i) a first coupling support structure and a second coupling support structure which are spaced apart from each other so as to define a boss space therebetween and (ii) a boss positioned within the boss space and secured to the first coupling support structure and the second coupling support structure.

Abstract: A work machine having a stick assembly which- includes (i) a stick having a forward stick aperture (ii) a guide which is pivotally coupled to the stick, and (iii) a link pivotally coupled to the guide is disclosed. The work machine also includes a coupler having a left lateral support and a right lateral support, wherein (i) the left lateral support has a left rear coupler aperture, a left intermediate coupler aperture, and a left forward coupler notch, and (ii) the right lateral support has a right rear coupler aperture, a right intermediate coupler aperture, and a right forward coupler notch.

Abstract: A collapsible `bedspring` monopole antenna is configured to be effectively non-observable in its collapsed condition and, when deployed, remains sufficiently compact to ensure very low observability characteristics, while providing broadband coverage over a wide viewing aperture. The antenna is comprised of a conductor formed as a tapered helix. One end of the conductor is coupled to an antenna feed. The outer end of the helix is looped around on itself to form a circular loop. A plurality of substantially rectilinear `radials` are soldered to distributed locations around its circular loop, so as to extend outwardly and tangentially from the outer perimeter of the loop and provide `top hat` capacitive matching elements. To define the height of the deployed antenna and to electrically short out plural locations of the helix, a plurality of conductive straps are joined to respective spaced apart locations of the helix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular system for mounting one or more medical devices on an IV pole at a patient's bedside. The system comprises a support plate, and at least one modular interconnection receptacle adapted to be detachably mounted on the support plate and adapted to receive a medical device. In one embodiment, the interconnection receptacle has electrical connection means serving as an electrical conduit between the medical device and a monitor. The means for attaching the medical device to the interconnection receptacle has a greater retention force than the means for attaching the interconnection receptacle to the support plate. Thus, in response to a threshold force on the patient line connected to the medical device, the interconnection receptacle breaks free of the support plate while the medical device remains attached to the interconnection receptacle.

Abstract: A system for extracorporeal perfusion of human organs wherein a pulsatile flow of cold perfusate is circulated through an organ intended for transplantation. The system includes a perfusion chamber, a heat exchanger comprising an ice water bath containing a coil of tubing through which perfusate is circulated, and a pulsatile pump interposed in the line between the heat exchanger and the perfusion chamber, downstream of that exchanger, for drawing cold perfusate through the exchanger and directing it in a series of regular pulses to the organ. The system is particularly adapted for use in a compact portable perfusion unit.