Abstract: A media holder can be used for preparing samples. The media holder can comprise a base, a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of transverse members positioned on and coupled to a respective upper end of each of the walls. Each of the transverse members can define a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of a media therein.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is disclosed. The electrosurgical device includes a longitudinally extending shaft having a distal region. The shaft defines an axis. An electrode is disposed on the distal region. The electrode includes a longitudinal surface and a generally planar, exposed distalmost surface. The distalmost surface defines an edge. An insulator is disposed on the longitudinal surface to the edge. The insulator surrounds the electrode and is flush with the distalmost surface.

Abstract: A media holder can be used for preparing samples. The media holder can comprise a base, a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of transverse members positioned on and coupled to a respective upper end of each of the walls. Each of the transverse members can define a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of a media therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter conditioning unit for cleaning and conditioning high-volume sampling (HVS) filters. The unit includes, among other elements, a filter tray suitable for holding one or more HVS filters, a manifold in which the filter tray is inserted, and an optional enclosure for safety. The manifold is suitable for heating the filter tray and filters therein to a desired temperature while purge gas is introduced to the manifold. Also described herein is a method of using the filter conditioning unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixing chamber apparatus suitable for high-volume sampling (HVS) application. The mixing chamber apparatus includes, among other elements, inlet and outlet manifolds, a mixing chamber, and a tubing manifold for the introduction of clean, turbulent air into the mixing chamber. The inlet manifold defines a plurality of vapor ports that can be in fluid communication with one or more vapor sources to be sampled and mixed within the mixing chamber. Also described herein is a baffled mixing system that can be used alone or in combination with the disclosed mixing chamber apparatus.

Abstract: A media holder can be used for preparing samples. The media holder can comprise a base, a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of transverse members positioned on and coupled to a respective upper end of each of the walls. Each of the transverse members can define a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of a media therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal desorber assembly for desorbing substances collected on a high-volume sampling (HVS) filter. The assembly includes, among other elements, a filter holder for securing a HVS filter within the assembly, a desorber body, and an insulating enclosure. The design of the thermal desorber assembly is such that it can accommodate a variety of different types of HVS filter media. Also described herein is a system comprising the thermal desorber assembly and method of using the assembly.

Abstract: A media holder can be used for preparing samples. The media holder can comprise a base, a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of transverse members positioned on and coupled to a respective upper end of each of the walls. Each of the transverse members can define a receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of a media therein.

Abstract: A kit-of-parts for assembling an apparatus for verifying Explosive Trace Detector responses includes an alignment tool and a dispenser. The alignment tool has a body with a top cavity open on a top side and configured to receive the dispenser housing or a sampling medium head of a sampling medium. The sampling medium head has a sample collection area. The body has a bottom cavity to receive a hammer arm. The body has one or more sampling media cavities disposed between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, each configured to receive another sampling medium having a respective sample collection area. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are in communication with each other via a common slot. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are configured to receive different sampling media and to align the dispenser housing with the sample collection area of each of the different sampling media.

Abstract: A kit-of-parts for assembling an apparatus for verifying Explosive Trace Detector responses includes an alignment tool and a dispenser. The alignment tool has a body with a top cavity open on a top side and configured to receive the dispenser housing or a sampling medium head of a sampling medium. The sampling medium head has a sample collection area. The body has a bottom cavity to receive a hammer arm. The body has one or more sampling media cavities disposed between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, each configured to receive another sampling medium having a respective sample collection area. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are in communication with each other via a common slot. The top cavity and sampling media cavities are configured to receive different sampling media and to align the dispenser housing with the sample collection area of each of the different sampling media.

Abstract: An alignment tool has a body with a top cavity. The top cavity is open on a top side and configured to receive the dispenser housing of a dispenser or a sampling medium head of a sampling medium on which to place the dispenser housing. The sampling medium head has a sample collection area. The body has a bottom cavity configured to receive a hammer arm. The body has one or more sampling media cavities disposed between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, each configured to receive another sampling medium having a respective sample collection area. A barrier is disposed between the bottom cavity and other cavities including the top cavity and the one or more sampling media cavities. The top cavity and the one or more sampling media cavities are in communication with each other via a common slot extending from the top cavity to the barrier.

Abstract: An alignment tool has a body with a top cavity. The top cavity is open on a top side and configured to receive the dispenser housing of a dispenser or a sampling medium head of a sampling medium on which to place the dispenser housing. The sampling medium head has a sample collection area. The body has a bottom cavity configured to receive a hammer arm. The body has one or more sampling media cavities disposed between the top cavity and the bottom cavity, each configured to receive another sampling medium having a respective sample collection area. A barrier is disposed between the bottom cavity and other cavities including the top cavity and the one or more sampling media cavities. The top cavity and the one or more sampling media cavities are in communication with each other via a common slot extending from the top cavity to the barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixing chamber apparatus suitable for high-volume sampling (HVS) application. The mixing chamber apparatus includes, among other elements, inlet and outlet manifolds, a mixing chamber, and a tubing manifold for the introduction of clean, turbulent air into the mixing chamber. The inlet manifold defines a plurality of vapor ports that can be in fluid communication with one or more vapor sources to be sampled and mixed within the mixing chamber. Also described herein is a baffled mixing system that can be used alone or in combination with the disclosed mixing chamber apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal desorber assembly for desorbing substances collected on a high-volume sampling (HVS) filter. The assembly includes, among other elements, a filter holder for securing a HVS filter within the assembly, a desorber body, and an insulating enclosure. The design of the thermal desorber assembly is such that it can accommodate a variety of different types of HVS filter media. Also described herein is a system comprising the thermal desorber assembly and method of using the assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter conditioning unit for cleaning and conditioning high-volume sampling (HVS) filters. The unit includes, among other elements, a filter tray suitable for holding one or more HVS filters, a manifold in which the filter tray is inserted, and an optional enclosure for safety. The manifold is suitable for heating the filter tray and filters therein to a desired temperature while purge gas is introduced to the manifold. Also described herein is a method of using the filter conditioning unit.

Abstract: A method of perforating a tissue of a heart of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated. The method utilizes an electrosurgical apparatus having an energy delivery device which can function as an ECG measuring device at a distal end thereof and a delivery system comprising a dilator. Said method comprises the steps of (a) advancing the dilator through a superior vena cava into the heart of the patient, from a superior approach, until a distal end of the dilator is adjacent the tissue; (b) checking an ECG signal to confirm a position of the energy delivery device; (c) using the electrosurgical apparatus, which is positioned through the dilator, to create a perforation in the tissue by delivering electrical energy to the tissue; (d) advancing the distal end of the electrosurgical apparatus through the perforation; and (e) advancing the dilator over the electrosurgical apparatus.

Abstract: A method of perforating a tissue of a heart of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated. The method utilizes an electrosurgical apparatus and a delivery system comprising at least two dilators wherein a first dilator is configured for facilitating positioning of the electrosurgical apparatus adjacent the tissue and wherein a second dilator is configured for advancement through a perforation in the tissue. An outer diameter of the second dilator is substantially equal to or less than an outer diameter of the first dilator.

Abstract: A removable, external peripheral holding device for a game-controller is disclosed. The device has left and right retaining annuli, each made to be a circumscribing, external fit to the respective left and right holding portions of a game controller, enabling the device to be removably attached to the game-controller. A receiving receptacle is connected to the retaining annuli by a cantilevered connecting element that extends forward of the game controller when the game controller is held in a playing orientation. This can accept a removable tab that is attached to a structural element. In one embodiment, the structural element is a lateral vision shield that may be foldable. In a second embodiment the structural element accommodates a smart phone.

Abstract: A removable, external peripheral holding device for a game-controller is disclosed. The device has left and right retaining annuli, each made to be a circumscribing, external fit to the respective left and right holding portions of a game controller, enabling the device to be removably attached to the game-controller. A receiving receptacle is connected to the retaining annuli by a cantilevered connecting element that extends forward of the game controller when the game controller is held in a playing orientation. This can accept a removable tab that is attached to a structural element. In one embodiment, the structural element is a lateral vision shield that may be foldable. In a second embodiment the structural element accommodates a smart phone.

Abstract: A method of perforating a tissue of a heart of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated. The method utilizes an electrosurgical apparatus and a delivery system comprising at least two dilators wherein a first dilator is configured for facilitating positioning of the electrosurgical apparatus adjacent the tissue and wherein a second dilator is configured for advancement through a perforation in the tissue. An outer diameter of the second dilator is substantially equal to or less than an outer diameter of the first dilator.