Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include transporting a specimen container in a locator well to a container transfer station in a first automated detection apparatus; sensing the specimen container at the container transfer station using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; detecting that the specimen container is positioned over the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus using a second sensor; and releasing the specimen container onto the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include transporting a specimen container in a locator well to a container transfer station in a first automated detection apparatus; sensing the specimen container at the container transfer station using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; detecting that the specimen container is positioned over the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus using a second sensor; and releasing the specimen container onto the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include transporting a specimen container in a locator well to a container transfer station in a first automated detection apparatus; sensing the specimen container at the container transfer station using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; detecting that the specimen container is positioned over the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus using a second sensor; and releasing the specimen container onto the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include transporting a specimen container in a locator well to a container transfer station in a first automated detection apparatus; sensing the specimen container at the container transfer station using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; detecting that the specimen container is positioned over the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus using a second sensor; and releasing the specimen container onto the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting wires including dissimilar electrical conductors such as copper and aluminum conductors with the electrical connector including failure inhibiting features that can include an oxidation inhibiting coating and a sealant. To ensure that a minimum pressure contact has been achieved at the interface between the electrical connector a shearable fastener can be used to secure an electrical conductor in the electrical connector.

Abstract: The invention includes a probe for imaging tissue within a body cavity. The probe includes a housing which has a first substantially narrow elongate distal portion insertable into a body cavity, and a second elongate portion proximal of the first elongate portion. The narrow distal portion houses a transducer which is longitudinally translatable and rotatable relative thereto. The second elongate portion houses a platform assembly and a movable member. The platform assembly includes a transmission system and a frame, both of which are coupled to the transducer by at least one connector such that rotational movement of the platform assembly within the second elongate portion effectuates rotation of the transducer within the first elongate portion, and translational movement of the moveable member within the second elongate portion effectuates translational movement of the transducer within the first elongate portion. The probe is used with a needle assembly and delivery system.

Abstract: The invention includes a probe for imaging tissue within a body cavity. The probe includes a housing which has a first substantially narrow elongate distal portion insertable into a body cavity, and a second elongate portion proximal of the first elongate portion. The narrow distal portion houses a transducer which is longitudinally translatable and rotatable relative thereto. The second elongate portion houses a platform assembly and a movable member. The platform assembly includes a transmission system and a frame, both of which are coupled to the transducer by at least one connector such that rotational movement of the platform assembly within the second elongate portion effectuates rotation of the transducer within the first elongate portion, and translational movement of the moveable member within the second elongate portion effectuates translational movement of the transducer within the first elongate portion. The probe is used with a needle assembly and delivery system.

Abstract: An open-face electrical wire connector for forming an electrical connection to a wire connector lug wherein the wire connector lug, which is free of any sealant can be brought into engagement with another portion of a housing, which carries a sealant, to cause the sealant to flow around the wire connector lug and the electrical connection therein for on-the-go formation of a sealant covered electrical connection.

Abstract: An open-face electrical wire connector for forming an electrical connection to a wire connector lug wherein the wire connector lug, which is free of any sealant can be brought into engagement with another portion of a housing, which carries a sealant, to cause the sealant to flow around the wire connector lug and the electrical connection therein for on-the-go formation of a sealant covered electrical connection.

Abstract: A twist-on wire connector containing a mass of a cohering gel in a gel state therein for forming a protective covering over a wire connection in the twist-on wire connector with the gel thereon removal from the twist-on wire connector and peelable from the wire connection to enable one to quickly form a further wire connection without having to wipe off the wire connection.

Abstract: A connector with a dip-molded housing and a method for forming a twist-on wire connector with a dip-molded housing. To dip-mold a covering or housing on a twist-on wire connector either a mandrel carrying a twist-on wire coil, a mandrel having the a shape of a spiral coil or a twist-on wire connector are dipped into a bath of an in situ solidfiable dip-moldable material such as liquid plastic. The dip-moldable solidified material solidifies to form a dip-molded shell on the wire connector.

Abstract: An open-face electrical wire connector for forming an electrical connection to a wire connector lug wherein the wire connector lug, which is free of any sealant can be brought into engagement with another portion of a housing, which carries a sealant, to cause the sealant to flow around the wire connector lug and the electrical connection therein for on-the-go formation of a sealant covered electrical connection.

Abstract: A twist-on wire connector having a finger friendly unbiased cushioned cover that covers not only the normal hand gripping region but at least part or all of the normal non-hand gripping region of the twist-on wire connector so that regardless of the way the twist-on wire connector is grasped the user fingers engage the cushioned cover to inhibit finger and hand injury and fatigue from repeated securement of twist-on wire connectors to electrical leads and a method of making a twist-on wire connector with a cushioned cover by placing a soft to the touch material on the exterior surface of the twist-on wire connector.

Abstract: An open-face electrical wire connector for forming an electrical connection to a wire connector lug wherein the wire connector lug, which is free of any sealant can be brought into engagement with another portion of a housing, which carries a sealant, to cause the sealant to flow around the wire connector lug and the electrical connection therein for on-the-go formation of a sealant covered electrical connection.

Abstract: An open-face electrical wire connector for forming an electrical connection to a wire connector lug wherein the wire connector lug, which is free of any sealant can be brought into engagement with another portion of a housing, which carries a sealant, to cause the sealant to flow around the wire connector lug and the electrical connection therein for on-the-go formation of a sealant covered electrical connection.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting wires including dissimilar electrical conductors such as copper and aluminum conductors with the electrical connector including failure inhibiting features that can include an oxidation inhibiting coating and a sealant. To ensure that a minimum pressure contact has been achieved at the interface between the electrical connector a shearable fastener can be used to secure an electrical conductor in the electrical connector.

Abstract: A twist-on wire connector having a housing with a spiral tread for engaging and holding electrical wires in an electrical connection and a chamber for carrying a member having a wire passageway so that the electrical wires can be retained within the connector by a wire holder to inhibit strain therein and a method of making an electrical connection that inhibits strain of the wire by inserting a plurality of wires into a spiral thread of a twist-on wire connector, rotating the plurality of wires to bring the electrical wires into electrical connection with each other and squeezing a member around the plurality of wires to bring the member into frictional contact along a portion of the plurality of wires to axially restrain the plurality of wires and thereby inhibit strain on the plurality of wires held in the electrical connector.

Abstract: A drain valve having a temperature responsive member that holds the drain valve in a water conserving mode when water is above freezing yet allows the drain valve to drain when the water is near freezing to prevent freeze damage to the irrigation system.

Abstract: A twist-on wire connector containing a mass of a cohering gel in a gel state therein for forming a protective covering over a wire connection in the twist-on wire connector with the gel thereon removal from the twist-on wire connector and peelable from the wire connection to enable one to quickly form a further wire connection without having to wipe off the wire connection.

Abstract: A twist-on wire connector containing a mass of a cohering gel in a gel state therein for forming a protective covering over a wire connection in the twist-on wire connector with the gel thereon removal from the twist-on wire connector and peelable from the wire connection to enable one to quickly form a further wire connection without having to wipe off the wire connection.