Abstract: Automated methods and systems for punching out pieces of a porous substrate for biological samples comprising: loading the porous substrate onto a support comprising a die and an opening; moving a receptacle support in at least a z-direction to position a receptacle relative to the support so that an opening in the receptacle is aligned and substantially flush with the opening in the support; actuating a punching head so that the punching head passes through the die, thereby punching a piece out of the porous substrate; and actuating an ejector pin to eject the punched piece from the porous substrate support and into the receptacle aligned with the opening in the support.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.

Abstract: A method is described for making a composite laminate formed by curing a stacked structure comprising at least two layers of strips of fibrous material impregnated with resin, wherein the strips in adjacent layers have different directional orientations. An apparatus is provided for simultaneously separating a band of fibrous material impregnated with resin into strips and depositing the strips between adjacent pin rows of a pinmat to form the stacked structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compression paddle comprising a paddle base 12; and a paddle wall 20 comprising a first side-wall 22; and a second side-wall 24; wherein the first side-wall 22 and/or the second side-wall 24 are disposed upon the paddle base 12 and inclined with respect to the paddle base 12 at an angle that is effective to permit an x-ray beam uninterrupted access to an object of interest located on an opposing side of the paddle base 12 from an x-ray source when an angle between a central axis of the x-ray beam and a vertical taken at an inner surface of the first side-wall 22 and/or the inner surface of the second side-wall 24 is about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying a solvent used in an article cleaning appliance are provided. The method allows passing solvent-based cleaning fluid from a wash basket through a coarse filter configured to remove relatively large particulates from the cleaning fluid. The method further allows passing cleaning fluid from the coarse filter through a particulate filter configured to remove relatively fine particulates from the cleaning fluid. An aqueous phase that may be present in the cleaning fluid is separated by decanting and coalescing through a separator/filter assembly. The cleaning fluid may then be passed through a regeneration cartridge for removing any water that may remain in the cleaning fluid, and for adsorbing organic contaminants that may be present in the cleaning fluid. Recovered solvent may be stored in a tank for subsequent use in a cleaning process performed by the appliance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying a solvent used in an article cleaning appliance are provided. The method allows passing solvent-based cleaning fluid from a wash basket through a coarse filter configured to remove relatively large particulates from the cleaning fluid. The method further allows passing cleaning fluid from the coarse filter through a particulate filter configured to remove relatively fine particulates from the cleaning fluid. An aqueous phase that may be present in the cleaning fluid is separated by decanting and coalescing through a separator/filter assembly. The cleaning fluid may then be passed through a regeneration cartridge for removing any water that may remain in the cleaning fluid, and for adsorbing organic contaminants that may be present in the cleaning fluid. Recovered solvent may be stored in a tank for subsequent use in a cleaning process performed by the appliance.

Abstract: An x-ray system is provided that produces noise at or below ambient levels. The system includes a positioning arm, an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and an acoustic dampening interface mounting between the x-ray tube and a first end of the positioning arm. The acoustic dampening interface may be a rubber isolator that absorbs the vibrations produced by the x-ray tube. The rubber isolator may include a rubber isolation tube positioned within a hole formed in a mounting plate of the x-ray tube. Alternatively, the rubber isolator may include a rubber washer and a rubber isolation layer, or isolation ring.