Abstract: The present invention provides a pill grinder including a housing containing a grinding mechanism which is driven by a drive means. The grinding mechanism comprises first and second relatively rotatable grinding plates, between which a pill is ground. The pill grinder further includes a powder reservoir for receiving ground pill powder; and at least one juddering device which is operative to apply a vibrating force in order to dislodge ground pill powder from surfaces or recesses within the housing.

Abstract: A water delivery pipe made from PVC or PVCO and having an inner surface which is rifled. The inner surface of the pipe preferably includes a graphene material. The pipe has improved anti-bacterial properties such that the formation of bacterial biofilms is eliminated or reduced. Methods of making the pipe are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pill grinder including a housing containing a grinding mechanism which is driven by a drive means. The grinding mechanism comprises first and second relatively rotatable grinding plates, between which a pill is ground. The pill grinder further includes a powder reservoir for receiving ground pill powder; and at least one juddering device which is operative to apply a vibrating force in order to dislodge ground pill powder from surfaces or recesses within the housing.

Abstract: A cassette for use in a robotic drive of a catheter-based procedure system includes a housing comprising a cradle configured to receive an elongated medical device having a longitudinal device axis, a connection mechanism coupled to the housing at a position below the longitudinal device axis, and a cover pivotably coupled to the housing using the connection mechanism.

Abstract: A robotic drive system for driving one or more elongated medical devices includes a robotic drive including a first drive module; and a second drive module proximal to the first drive module each drive module independently moved along a longitudinal axis of the robotic drive. A sterile cassette assembly includes a first cassette; and a second cassette coupled to the first cassette with a coupler. The first cassette and the second cassette are removably attached together to the first drive module and the second drive module respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing support to an elongated medical device is provided between a first device module and a second device module coupled to a linear member of a robotic drive for a catheter-based procedure system. The second device module is located in a position along the linear member distal to the first device module. The apparatus includes a device support having a distal end and a proximal end. A section of the device support is positioned within the first device module. The apparatus also includes a connector attached to the distal end of the device support. The connector includes an attachment mechanism for engaging a proximal end of the second device module. The proximal end of the device support is configured to be coupled to the second device module.

Abstract: An EMD drive system includes an on-device adapter removably fixed to a shaft of an EMD. The on-device adapter received in a cassette. The cassette is removably secured to a drive module. The drive module is operatively coupled to the on-device adapter to move the on-device adapter and EMD together.

Abstract: A water delivery pipe made from PVC or PVCO and having an inner surface which is rifled. The inner surface of the pipe preferably includes a graphene material. The pipe has improved anti-bacterial properties such that the formation of bacterial biofilms is eliminated or reduced. Methods of making the pipe are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptor for a robotic catheter system includes a body defining an opening configured to encompass an outer rotatable portion of hemostasis valve, the outer rotatable portion being rotatable within the opening. A distal end connector configured to engage a portion of the hemostasis valve and a proximal end connector configured to connect to an elongated medical device support track.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices and devices therefrom are provided. A method includes providing a substrate having a semiconducting surface with first and second layers, where the semiconducting surface has a plurality of active regions comprising first and second active regions. In the first active region, the first layer is an undoped layer and the second layer is a highly doped screening layer. The method also includes removing a part of the first layer to reduce a thickness of the substantially undoped layer for at least a portion of the first active region without a corresponding thickness reduction of the first layer in the second active region. The method additionally includes forming semiconductor devices in the plurality of active regions. In the method, the part of the first layer removed is selected based on a threshold voltage adjustment required for the substrate in the portion of the first active region.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices and devices therefrom are provided. A method includes providing a substrate having a semiconducting surface with first and second layers, where the semiconducting surface has a plurality of active regions comprising first and second active regions. In the first active region, the first layer is an undoped layer and the second layer is a highly doped screening layer. The method also includes removing a part of the first layer to reduce a thickness of the substantially undoped layer for at least a portion of the first active region without a corresponding thickness reduction of the first layer in the second active region. The method additionally includes forming semiconductor devices in the plurality of active regions. In the method, the part of the first layer removed is selected based on a threshold voltage adjustment required for the substrate in the portion of the first active region.

Abstract: A food mill including a container having a first flange and an opposing second flange, and a blade assembly removably connected to the container. The blade assembly includes a support arm having a first end defining a slot engageable with the first flange, and a second end including a latch. The latch is movable between a first condition, where the latch is disengaged from the second flange, and a second condition, where the latch is engaged with the second flange.

Abstract: A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a support body having a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and a plurality of foot members extending from the body in a direction opposite the side surfaces. The rack also includes three detachable basins: two side basins and a lower drain basin. The lower basin includes a flexible spout extending beyond an edge, the spout being capable of movement between a downward position extending below the surface of the basin and an upward position extending the spout above the surface of the basin.

Abstract: A food mill including a container having a first flange and an opposing second flange, and a blade assembly removably connected to the container. The blade assembly includes a support arm having a first end defining a slot engageable with the first flange, and a second end including a latch. The latch is movable between a first condition, where the latch is disengaged from the second flange, and a second condition, where the latch is engaged with the second flange.

Abstract: A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a rack component having a first and second ends, first and second sides, and a plurality of foot members, a drain mat supported by the foot members, and a detachable basin attached to a side or end of the rack component. The drain mat includes two sets of positioning members of two distinct lengths on a lower surface. By engaging longer positioning members on one side of the mat and shorter positioning members on the opposite side of the mat, the mat is held in a sloped configuration. The slope may be either toward the integral spout, thereby draining water from the mat, or opposite the integral spout, thereby retaining a substantial amount of water on the mat. The latter configuration permitting the storage rack to be used as a stand alone system.

Abstract: A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a support body having a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and a plurality of foot members extending from the body in a direction opposite the side surfaces. The rack also includes three detachable basins: two side basins and a lower drain basin. The lower basin includes a flexible spout extending beyond an edge, the spout being capable of movement between a downward position extending below the surface of the basin and an upward position extending the spout above the surface of the basin.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a bus (such as CAN bus) having at least two end points. A first and/or a second set of an undetermined number of devices may be connected to the bus. A controller is also connected to the bus, and is configured to establish a termination of the bus at one of the end points relative to the first and second sets of devices, dependent upon whether the controller receives a reply message in response to a communication test message sent to the first and second sets of devices at different times. If the controller discovers that devices are connected to the bus in both sets, the controller is relieved of establishing an end point on either end of the bus. Otherwise, if the controller discovers that devices are only connected to the bus in one of the two sets, the controller is therefore, configured to terminate an end of the bus.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the solution rheology of cellulose ethers prepared from cellulose pulp is altered by mercerizing and recovering cellulose pulp before preparing the cellulose ethers. For example, the solution viscosity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produced from mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp is significanitly greater than that produced from non-mercerized cellulose pulp. The present invention provides a method of preparing, cellulose ethers comprising the steps of (a) obtaining mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp, and (b) converting the mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp into the cellulose ethers. According to one embodiment, the cellulose pulp is southern softwood kraft and the mercerized cellulose pulp has a TAPPI 230 om-89 viscosity of at most 12 cP. This method, however, may be applied to all cellulose pulps, regardless of their viscosities, including those which, when mercerized, have a viscosity greater than 12 cP.

Abstract: Printer heads are precision mounted relative to a plate on a printer carriage by assembling a plurality of identical printer head assemblies, each of the printer head assemblies including a printer head precision mounted to a printer head carrier, each of the printer head carriers having at least three alignment points. Openings are provided in a plate in precise locations corresponding to desired locations and orientations of the printer head assemblies on the plate. The openings each have at least three alignment points corresponding to the three alignment points on each of the printer head carriers. The printer head assemblies are positioned in corresponding ones of the openings and a force is applied against the printer head assemblies, such as by springs mounted on the plate, to cause the at least three alignment points on the printer head carriers to contact respective ones of the at least three alignment points in the corresponding ones of the openings.