Abstract: Air purification devices are described. Devices are powered to form an electric field along an airflow path that creates a plasma for destruction of pathogens carried through the device. Devices can be single-user, portable devices for purification of air flow to and/or from a single user.

Abstract: Methods for isolating viable cancer cells from a sample that comprises a mixture of cancerous cells and normal (non-cancerous) cells are provided. In the methods, a fluid preparation comprising a mixture of cancerous and normal cells is repeatedly exposed to fluid shear stresses, whereby the repeated exposure to the fluid shear stresses preferentially imparts fluid shear stress-resistance to the cancerous cells.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system may include a scale ball mount for supporting a hitch ball as part of a trailer hitch system, and for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer. The scale ball mount may comprise a trailer hitch ball mount. In an embodiment, the scale ball mount may include a biasing component disposed below a hitch ball and a gauge for displaying downward force applied at the hitch ball. The biasing component may be a urethane spring. An indicator may be disposed between the biasing component and the hitch ball, and the indicator may be viewable through an opening in the gauge.

Abstract: A portable monitoring unit for personnel working in hazardous environments, including a coupling to which an auxiliary unit can be structurally coupled; a motion sensor; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time; and a power interface arranged to receive power for the portable monitoring unit from a power interface of the auxiliary unit when the auxiliary unit is structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit.

Abstract: Improved optical measuring devices and methods are disclosed for checking certain measurements taken of a patient's face before these measurements are used to create eyeglass lenses for the patient. Embodiments of the invention include a support frame receiving an eyeglass frame having demonstration lenses mounted therein. The eyeglass frame is held in place, and one or more mechanical structures are provided below the support frame which support one or more movable markers, typically one for each lens. The structures are moved according to the measurements taken of the patient's face. A stamping or marking mechanism is provided on each structure which is used to mark the pupil location on each respective lens after the structures are moved according to the patient measurements. The marked lenses are then taken to the patient for verification and modification of measurements, if necessary. Once the measurements have been verified, final lenses may be created.

Abstract: A fluidized bed dryer may include a deck, an eccentric, and a blower. A heater may or may not be included. The deck of the fluidized bed dryer may vibrate due to motion of the eccentric. The blower may blow air through the deck of the fluidized bed dryer to dry material on the deck. As the material dries, the material moves across the deck, due to the vibration. The deck bed depth may be increased, which may allow for even process air flow distribution and control of conveyance speed and residence time. The fluidized bed dryer may include a controller configured to implement a drying process that may include one or more of temperature, moisture content, and relative humidity data to optimize product throughput while ensuring a desired degree of dryness.

Abstract: A fluidized bed dryer may include a deck, an eccentric, and a blower. A heater may or may not be included. The deck of the fluidized bed dryer may vibrate due to motion of the eccentric. The blower may blow air through the deck of the fluidized bed dryer to dry material on the deck. As the material dries, the material moves across the deck, due to the vibration. The deck bed depth may be increased, which may allow for even process air flow distribution and control of conveyance speed and residence time. The fluidized bed dryer may include a controller configured to implement a drying process that may include one or more of temperature, moisture content, and relative humidity data to optimize product throughput while ensuring a desired degree of dryness.

Abstract: Methods for isolating viable cancer cells from a sample that comprises a mixture of cancerous cells and normal (non-cancerous) cells are provided. In the methods, a fluid preparation comprising a mixture of cancerous and normal cells is repeatedly exposed to fluid shear stresses, whereby the repeated exposure to the fluid shear stresses preferentially imparts fluid shear stress-resistance to the cancerous cells.

Abstract: A portable monitoring unit for personnel working in hazardous environments, comprising a coupling to which an auxiliary unit can be structurally coupled; a motion sensor; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time; and a power interface arranged to receive power for the portable monitoring unit from a power interface of the auxiliary unit when the auxiliary unit is structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system may include a scale ball mount for supporting a hitch ball as part of a trailer hitch system, and for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer. The scale ball mount may comprise a trailer hitch ball mount. In an embodiment, the scale ball mount may include a biasing component disposed below a hitch ball and a gauge for displaying downward force applied at the hitch ball. The biasing component may be a urethane spring. An indicator may be disposed between the biasing component and the hitch ball, and the indicator may be viewable through an opening in the gauge.

Abstract: Methods for isolating viable cancer cells from a sample that comprises a mixture of cancerous cells and normal (non-cancerous) cells are provided. In the methods, a fluid preparation comprising a mixture of cancerous and normal cells is repeatedly exposed to fluid shear stresses, whereby the repeated exposure to the fluid shear stresses preferentially imparts fluid shear stress-resistance to the cancerous cells.

Abstract: Improved optical measuring devices and methods are disclosed for checking certain measurements taken of a patient's face before these measurements are used to create eyeglass lenses for the patient. Embodiments of the invention include a receptacle or bracket for receiving an eyeglass frame having demonstration lenses mounted therein. The frame is held in place, and one or more mechanical structures are provided below the frame which support one or more movable markers, typically one for each lens. The structures are moved according to the measurements taken of the patient's face. A stamping or marking mechanism is provided on each structure which is used to mark the pupil location on each respective lens after the structures are moved according to the patient measurements. The marked lenses are then taken to the patient for verification and modification of measurements, if necessary. Once the measurements have been verified, final lenses may be created.

Abstract: Improved optical measuring devices and methods are disclosed for checking certain measurements taken of a patient's face before these measurements are used to create eyeglass lenses for the patient. Embodiments of the invention include a support frame receiving an eyeglass frame having demonstration lenses mounted therein. The eyeglass frame is held in place, and one or more mechanical structures are provided below the support frame which support one or more movable markers, typically one for each lens. The structures are moved according to the measurements taken of the patient's face. A stamping or marking mechanism is provided on each structure which is used to mark the pupil location on each respective lens after the structures are moved according to the patient measurements. The marked lenses are then taken to the patient for verification and modification of measurements, if necessary. Once the measurements have been verified, final lenses may be created.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telemetry monitoring apparatus for remotely monitoring a plurality of users, such as firefighters, working in a hazardous environment. The apparatus comprises a plurality of portable devices, each arranged to be associated with breathing apparatus worn by a user, and at least one central monitoring station onto which portable devices can be logged on and monitored. The portable devices are arranged to transmit a logon message including an identifier identifying either the user or the portable device.

Abstract: A fluidized bed dryer may include a deck, an eccentric, and a blower. A heater may or may not be included. The deck of the fluidized bed dryer may vibrate due to motion of the eccentric. The blower may blow air through the deck of the fluidized bed dryer to dry material on the deck. As the material dries, the material moves across the deck, due to the vibration. The deck bed depth may be increased, which may allow for even process air flow distribution and control of conveyance speed and residence time. The fluidized bed dryer may include a controller configured to implement a drying process that may include one or more of temperature, moisture content, and relative humidity data to optimize product throughput while ensuring a desired degree of dryness.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telemetry monitoring system including a central monitoring unit configured to display data regarding one or more portable devices, each associated with the breathing apparatus of a user. The system further includes removable data storage connected to the central monitoring unit and configured to store system status data of the central monitoring unit as recovery data, the system status data defining an operational status of the central monitoring unit. In the event of a failure of the telemetry monitoring system, the telemetry monitoring system can be recovered by restoring the recovery data to the central monitoring unit or a replacement central monitoring unit from the removable data storage.

Abstract: Methods for isolating viable cancer cells from a sample that comprises a mixture of cancerous cells and normal (non-cancerous) cells are provided. In the methods, a fluid preparation comprising a mixture of cancerous and normal cells is repeatedly exposed to fluid shear stresses, whereby the repeated exposure to the fluid shear stresses preferentially imparts fluid shear stress-resistance to the cancerous cells.

Abstract: Improved optical measuring devices and methods are disclosed for checking certain measurements taken of a patient's face before these measurements are used to create eyeglass lenses for the patient. Embodiments of the invention include a receptacle or bracket for receiving an eyeglass frame having demonstration lenses mounted therein. The frame is held in place, and one or more mechanical structures are provided below the frame which support one or more movable markers, typically one for each lens. The structures are moved according to the measurements taken of the patient's face. A stamping or marking mechanism is provided on each structure which is used to mark the pupil location on each respective lens after the structures are moved according to the patient measurements. The marked lenses are then taken to the patient for verification and modification of measurements, if necessary. Once the measurements have been verified, final lenses may be created.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telemetry monitoring apparatus for remotely monitoring a plurality of users, such as firefighters, working in a hazardous environment. The apparatus comprises a plurality of portable devices, each arranged to be associated with breathing apparatus worn by a user, and at least one central monitoring station onto which portable devices can be logged on and monitored. The portable devices are arranged to transmit a logon message including an identifier identifying either the user or the portable device.