Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A probe for a surgical instrument used for cutting selected tissue in a body cavity while under visual inspection, e.g., a surgical tool for the release of the transverse carpal tunnel ligament, has a profile where the flat top surface of the probe has a wider width dimension than the lower surface of the probe. Thus, the sides of the lower surface are sloped or curved inward such that all points below the flat top surface at any particular point on the first and second sides of the flat top surface have a width that is smaller than the width dimension of the flat top surface. The degree of sloping or curving inward will cause tissues to be moved downward (instead of upward) when the probe is inserted, and will provide for generating an upward force that firmly holds the probe against the tissue to be cut and a downward force on the surrounding tissue below the probe.

Abstract: A probe for a surgical instrument used for cutting selected tissue in a body cavity while under visual inspection, e.g., a surgical tool for the release of the transverse carpal tunnel ligament, has a profile where the flat top surface of the probe has a wider width dimension than the lower surface of the probe. Thus, the sides of the lower surface are sloped or curved inward such that all points below the flat top surface at any particular point on the first and second sides of the flat top surface have a width that is smaller than the width dimension of the flat top surface. The degree of sloping or curving inward will cause tissues to be moved downward (instead of upward) when the probe is inserted, and will provide for generating an upward force that firmly holds the probe against the tissue to be cut and a downward force on the surrounding tissue below the probe.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a probe that is extended into a body cavity and a handle held by a surgeon outside the body cavity, where the surgical instrument includes both an optical system and surgical tool operable by the surgeon that passes through the handle and probe includes a connection configuration on its proximal end of the probe and elements within a bore of the handle which allows for securely locking the probe in at least two different orientations. In particular, the proximal end of the probe includes a pair of axial slots and a twist region which cooperate with inwardly projecting land regions in a bore of the handle. A locking mechanism is used to selectively move a locking member into and out of one or the other of said pair of axial slots so as to secure the probe on the handle in the desired orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for release of a tendon sheath using a rasp tool and an endoscopic cutting tool. The rasp tool has a body supporting a probe with a rasp surface at one end of the probe for removing soft tissue adhering to the tendon sheath after insertion of the probe into a pocket formed above the tendon sheath. The body, rasp probe and rasp surface are formed in one piece and may be mounted removably on an endoscope. The endoscopic cutting tool has a probe with a blade at one end, the blade being extendable by operation of a trigger after insertion of the probe into the pocket, the blade being operable to cut the tendon sheath by pulling the tool out of the pocket with the blade extended. The trigger is part of a pistol grip assembly that is mounted on the cutting blade probe and endoscope so that it can be rotated about the axis of the cutting blade probe. The endoscope illumination can be provided with ultraviolet light to make visible objects not visible otherwise.

Abstract: A packing method and system are disclosed which system includes a first platform having a product support surface for supporting a product and a second platform for supporting a box into which the product is to be packed. After a box is received on and secured to the second platform, the second platform is rotated so that the open top of the box faces the first platform and moved toward the first platform until the box substantially surrounds the product on the product support surface. The first and second platforms are then rotated simultaneously so that the product is transferred from the product support to the box, and the full box is discharged to a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming several parallel rows of disk-like objects on a conveyor into stacks and packing those stacks into boxes is disclosed along with a method of operating the system. The system includes a stacker receiving the disk-like objects as they fall of the conveyor, a buffer receiving stacks from the stacker in groups of a first number, a transfer device for removing the stacks from the buffer in groups of a second number, and a packer for packing the stacks into boxes. The second number can be less than, greater than, or equal to the first number.

Abstract: A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects into a stack is disclosed which system includes a frame having a top, a bottom and sides; a conveyor associated with the frame and having an end edge for dispensing discrete objects, a first support mounted on the frame near the end edge for receiving objects from the end edge and having an opening with a width smaller than the width of the objects, a first actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between first and second positions relative to the end edge; a second actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between upper and lower positions relative to the frame; a second support mounted on the frame beneath the first support having a width less than the width of the opening in the first support; a third actuator operatively connected to the second support for moving the second support between high and low positions, the second support high position being higher than the first support

Abstract: A buffer device for buffering a flow of stacks of discrete objects between a stacking machine and a packaging machine is disclosed which buffer includes a plurality of individual trays mounted on carriers which carriers are mounted on a frame and driven about the periphery of the frame by a drive. A first number of stacks of objects is placed on a first number of carriers on a first side of the frame and a second number of stacks are removed from a second number of carriers on a second side of the frame where the first number can be greater than, less than or equal to the first number. The carriers clamp onto a continuously moving drive belt in a manner that allow the drive belt to slip through the carrier clamps when motion of the carriers is obstructed. A method of using the buffer device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects into a stack is disclosed which system includes a frame having a top, a bottom and sides; a conveyor associated with the frame and having an end edge for dispensing discrete objects, a first support mounted on the frame near the end edge for receiving objects from the end edge and having an opening with a width smaller than the width of the objects, a first actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between first and second positions relative to the end edge; a second actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between upper and lower positions relative to the frame; a second support mounted on the frame beneath the first support having a width less than the width of the opening in the first support; a third actuator operatively connected to the second support for moving the second support between high and low positions, the second support high position being higher than the first support