Abstract: Disclosed herein are a device and method for the easy removal of selected individual wells, selected groups/strips of wells, or all strips of wells quickly and safely from a well strip plate. A well strip extractor press may include a manually pivotable well strip plate carrier having an open bottom, and an adjustable well strip extractor assembly having multiple press arms positioned to engage the bottom of a well strip plate positioned in the well strip plate carrier. A user may manually position a selection of press arms to align with those well strips that the user wishes to remove from the well strip plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a device and method for the easy removal of selected individual wells, selected groups/strips of wells, or all strips of wells quickly and safely from a well strip plate. A well strip extractor press may include a manually pivotable well strip plate carrier having an open bottom, and an adjustable well strip extractor assembly having multiple press arms positioned to engage the bottom of a well strip plate positioned in the well strip plate carrier. A user may manually position a selection of press arms to align with those well strips that the user wishes to remove from the well strip plate.

Abstract: A breath collection apparatus is provided that includes a facemask to cover the nose and mouth of a patient to direct the breath into a collection bag or collection vial. A valve assembly containing a flexible valve member is provided between the facemask and the collection container to direct a breath sample to the collection container while permitting fresh air to enter the facemask upon inhalation. Between the valve assembly and the collection container is a collection container attachment fitting for engaging the valve assembly with the collection container. The collection container attachment fitting can be a two-piece fitting designed to accommodate a flexible bladder used to accumulate multiple breath samples for subsequent delivery to the collection container.

Abstract: A blending pump assembly for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two fluid components. Flow of a first fluid is utilized to drive a fluid motor, which in turn drives a pumping mechanism to inject a proportional amount of a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid. The fluid motor and pump are sized so that a predetermined ratio between the two fluids is maintained regardless of changes in pressure and flow rate of such first fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear shaker apparatus capable of effectively mixing a wide variety of large volume liquid samples that provides a near linear mixing motion so as to allow for the easy break up of solids suspended in the fluid sample. The longer shaking distances and slower operating speeds employed by the linear shaker described herein, which resembles the motion a scientist or lab technician might employ when shaking such a vial by hand, does not lend itself to the electromagnetic technique employed in various prior art shakers. The linear shaker described herein employs an electric motor and linkage that allows varying the speed and stroke of the mixing operation to accommodate different laboratory protocols.

Abstract: A breath collection apparatus is provided that includes a facemask to cover the nose and mouth of a patient to direct the breath into a collection bag or collection vial. A valve assembly containing a flexible valve member is provided between the facemask and the collection container to direct a breath sample to the collection container while permitting fresh air to enter the facemask upon inhalation. Between the valve assembly and the collection container is a collection container attachment fitting for engaging the valve assembly with the collection container. The collection container attachment fitting can be a two-piece fitting designed to accommodate a flexible bladder used to accumulate multiple breath samples for subsequent delivery to the collection container.

Abstract: A blending pump assembly for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two fluid components. Flow of a first fluid is utilized to drive a fluid motor, which in turn drives a pumping mechanism to inject a proportional amount of a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid. The fluid motor and pump are sized so that a predetermined ratio between the two fluids is maintained regardless of changes in pressure and flow rate of such first fluid.

Abstract: A blending pump assembly for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two fluid components. Flow of a first fluid is utilized to drive a fluid motor, which in turn drives a pumping mechanism to inject a proportional amount of a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid. The fluid motor and pump are sized so that a predetermined ratio between the two fluids is maintained regardless of changes in pressure and flow rate of such first fluid.

Abstract: A parts marking system has memory for storing data indicative of at least one algorithm associated with at least one direct parts marking (DPM) technique and logic that displays a graphical user interface comprising at least one text field associated with at least one function, functional failure, failure mode, and failure effect associated with the at least one DPM technique.

Abstract: A drip resistant dispensing valve for fluids is disclosed, which provides a dispensing outlet configured to minimize the tendency for fluid to drip from the valve following a dispensing operation. The dispensing outlet exhibits curved interior surfaces and a curved outlet face construction; the face situated a distance away from the valve body. Such construction assists in minimizing the retention of fluid on the surfaces of the dispensing outlet, and migration of the fluid to surfaces outside of the dispensing outlet that could tend to promote growth of biological contaminates and/or provide additional surfaces that could pool fluid following a dispensing operation and thereafter drip from the valve. A shell is provided around the dispensing outlet to assist in avoiding contamination of the valve and of the fluid being dispensed through the valve, and to aid in positioning a receptacle for receiving fluid from the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for fluids stored under pressure is disclosed. A resilient valve actuator is provided at an actuator end of the valve body and operatively connected to a plunger, with the opposite end of the plunger engaging a one-way check assembly that serves to open and close at least one valve port opening. The resilient valve actuator and one-way check assembly are configured to allow ease of dispensing while ensuring a leak-free state is maintained between dispensing operations.

Abstract: A method of mixing fluid samples using an electromagnetic multidirectional shaker is provided. The shaker has a first electromagnet driving a first support panel in a first direction, and a second electromagnet driving a second support panel in a second direction. The first electromagnet is affixed to a base and is operatively attached to the first support panel which is suspended from the base via one or more first spring members. The first spring members are configured to bias the first support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the first electromagnet. The second support panel is in turn supported above the first support panel by one or more second spring members. The second electromagnet is affixed to the first support panel, and is operatively attached to the second support panel. The second spring members are configured to bias the second support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the second electromagnet.

Abstract: A blending pump assembly for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two fluid components. Flow of a first fluid is utilized to drive a fluid motor, which in turn drives a pumping mechanism to inject a proportional amount of a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid. The fluid motor and pump are sized so that a predetermined ratio between the two fluids is maintained regardless of changes in pressure and flow rate of such first fluid.

Abstract: A method of mixing fluid samples using an electromagnetic multidirectional shaker is provided. The shaker has a first electromagnet driving a first support panel in a first direction, and a second electromagnet driving a second support panel in a second direction. The first electromagnet is affixed to a base and is operatively attached to the first support panel which is suspended from the base via one or more first spring members. The first spring members are configured to bias the first support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the first electromagnet. The second support panel is in turn supported above the first support panel by one or more second spring members. The second electromagnet is affixed to the first support panel, and is operatively attached to the second support panel. The second spring members are configured to bias the second support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the second electromagnet.

Abstract: A suture trimmer having a shaft with a groove formed in the side thereof, a cutting member movably disposed within the shaft, and a suture retainer slidably disposed within the shaft. The suture trimmer may be used to position knots formed within a suture loop prior to trimming the free end(s) of the suture loop, and to deliver an agent near the location where the suture is severed.

Abstract: A blending pump assembly for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two fluid components. Flow of a first fluid is utilized to drive a fluid motor, which in turn drives a pumping mechanism to inject a proportional amount of a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid. The fluid motor and pump are sized so that a predetermined ratio between the two fluids is maintained regardless of changes in pressure and flow rate of such first fluid.

Abstract: An automated device for collecting breath samples, which includes pre-programmed protocols for specified breath collection procedures and pre-programmed voice chips connected to a speaker that audibly guide a patient or subject through the breath collection process. The device includes an inlet and a breath reservoir for collecting a sample before diverting it to a vessel via a valve manifold with a plurality of valves, each associated with breath collection vessel.

Abstract: A method of mixing fluid samples using an electromagnetic multidirectional shaker is provided. The shaker has a first electromagnet driving a first support panel in a first direction, and a second electromagnet driving a second support panel in a second direction. The first electromagnet is affixed to a base and is operatively attached to the first support panel which is suspended from the base via one or more first spring members. The first spring members are configured to bias the first support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the first electromagnet. The second support panel is in turn supported above the first support panel by one or more second spring members. The second electromagnet is affixed to the first support panel, and is operatively attached to the second support panel. The second spring members are configured to bias the second support panel to an at-rest position after it has been displaced by the second electromagnet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for precisely controlling the mixing of a first fluid (i.e., a diluent such as water) with a second fluid (i.e., a concentrate) at a mixing point within the fluid dispensing system. A valve is positioned in the dispensing system along the line of supply of the second fluid upstream of the mixing point, such valve being simultaneously actuated through application of positive and/or negative pressure to allow the second fluid to flow through the valve. The application of positive and/or negative pressure is generated from the first fluid to be dispensed by the system and mixed with the second, such that the termination of flow of the first fluid immediately terminates flow of the second fluid to ensure proper mixing of the two fluids in the final solution, thus preventing inadvertent leakage of the second fluid or collection of the second fluid within the flow system which may become subject to spoilage or contamination.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for fluids is disclosed which provides for ease of use by requiring only a minimal force exerted on the valve actuator to maintain the valve in an open position. A resilient valve actuator having the characteristics of a nonlinear spring is provided at an actuator end of the valve body and operatively connected to a plunger; with the opposite end of the plunger mounting a resilient valve seal that serves to pen and close a plurality of port openings. The valve may be manufactured with a variety of port configurations to provide for the dispensing of fluids of varying viscosities. The valve body and actuator are formed to allow the dispensing valve to be sterilized through high levels of radiation and through high temperature steam and chemical sterilization processes without degrading the valve structure or operation.