Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for remediating sewage that contains persistent contaminants. The method comprises ozofractionating the sewage under conditions whereby a foam fractionate comprising persistent contaminants is produced and separated from an ozofractionated wastewater, quiescing the ozofractionated wastewater, whereby a residual ozone content of the ozofractionated wastewater is reduced, and contacting the quiesced ozofractionated wastewater with a microorganism population under conditions effective to biologically remediate the ozofractionated wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: A syringe tip cap is provided for use with an automatic syringe loading apparatus. The cap includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by at least one generally “V”-shaped ramp on each of two sides of the exterior surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: A syringe tip cap is provided for use with an automatic syringe loading apparatus. The cap includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by at least one generally “V”-shaped ramp on each of two sides of the exterior surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring musculoskeletal performance. A person repeatedly performing a physical task is monitored using a sensor system to generate task performance data. A simulation of the person performing the physical task over a number of cycles is run using a musculoskeletal model for the person and at least one of the task performance data and task description data. Muscle activation data and tendon force data are generated based on the simulation. Muscle fatigue and tendon fatigue resulting from performing the physical task are simulated for each cycle using a fatigue model system, the muscle activation data, and the tendon force data. The musculoskeletal model is adjusted to account for the muscle fatigue and the tendon fatigue after each cycle and prior to a next cycle. A prediction is made as to when a predetermined risk threshold for the person is reached based on the simulation.

Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filing system.

Abstract: A collapsible support frame has a front frame, a rear frame, and a locking mechanism connected to the front and rear frames. The locking mechanism has a lever and a base member. In the locked position, the lever and the base member engage to pull the front and rear frames towards each other. This places tension on the front and rear frames and holds the frame structure in an open or unfolded position for use. In the unlocked position, the lever and the base member separate from each other. This releases the tension placed on the front and rear frames and allows the frame structure to collapse or fold in on itself for storage.

Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filing system.

Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filling system.

Abstract: A collapsible support frame has a front frame, a rear frame, and a locking mechanism connected to the front and rear frames. The locking mechanism has a lever and a base member. In the locked position, the lever and the base member engage to pull the front and rear frames towards each other. This places tension on the front and rear frames and holds the frame structure in an open or unfolded position for use. In the unlocked position, the lever and the base member separate from each other. This releases the tension placed on the front and rear frames and allows the frame structure to collapse or fold in on itself for storage.

Abstract: A device for holding an object, and an assembly for holding and rotating an object. The device includes a base, a series of posts, each of which is equidistant from a center point of reference and further pivotably holds a follower rotationally linked to all other followers. Each follower has a gripping portion dimensioned to hold an object. An actuator serves to displace the followers radially about the post holding it creating a motion that causes the gripping portions to move either towards or away from the center reference point, dependent upon the displacement of the actuator. As all followers are rotationally linked, each follower of the device rotates to a substantially equal degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow a user to transfer relatively large files, such as full motion video, over a dedicated link with improved efficiency. Relatively cost effective high-speed TCP/IP links are available. However latency issues with TCP/IP prevents their use for transferring large files, especially full motion video for viewing in real time. The present method and apparatus establishes a multi-channel pipeline within the high-speed link from a source node to a target node. A desired file resident on a server of source node is first parsed into chunks of predetermined size appended with a sequence number and placed into circular buffer. The circular buffer is emptied into a next available channel in the multi-channel pipeline established in the high-speed link. The TCP/IP socket channels transfer chunks from the source node to the target node and acknowledge each chunk and then allow circular buffer to transfer the next available chunk.

Abstract: In a magnetic or optical disk drive the integrity of data written on a disk is verified by writing data to a portion of the disk, and immediately reading the data from the disk after it has been written. If there is error in reading the data and/or the data read from the disk is substantially different from the data written to the disk an error condition is generated. The error condition may be reporting the error to the host which decides whether to rewrite the data or immediately rewriting the data without further instructions from the host.

Abstract: A foam generator is provided for generating a treatment foam within a pipe, such as a sewer pipe, in need of treatment. The foam generator includes a foam generating head having a first perforated conduit for carrying a fluid such as compressed air and a second perforated conduit surrounding said first conduit for carrying a fluid such as a liquid which contains a foaming agent and a treatment chemical. A wicking material surrounds the first and second conduits in the foam generating head and receives the compressed air and liquid from the conduits and causes the production of a foam. A pressure casing can surround the foam generating head for delivering the foam under increased pressure to coat an inner wall surface of the pipe.