Abstract: A system for the rapid detection of microbial contamination in a fluid sample such as water, involving the use of a filter material having a surface adapted to receive the sample in order to retain substantially all microbes from the sample on the filter surface under conditions that minimize the potential for contamination from sources other than the sample itself, and in a manner that permits the filter surface to be incubated in order to grow viable microbes contained thereon, in combination with a growth medium and an analytic instrument to permit analysis of the filter surface, within a predetermined incubation period, in order to determine whether the growth onset of viable microbes that may be present on the surface has begun.

Abstract: In a biological sample grinding device and method, a bearing having a plurality of rolling elements disposed between a pair of rings is disposed in a container in which a fluid having at least one biological sample particle therein is introduced. With the bearing immersed in the fluid having the biological sample particle therein, one ring of the bearing is rotated relative to the other ring thereof, whereupon the rolling elements roll between the pair of rings and, in response thereto, the biological sample particle is drawn by the fluid between the pair of rings where it is subject to being crushed or ground between at least one of the rolling elements and at least one of the rings. A baffle can be disposed in the container for inhibiting the rotation of the fluid and, hence, the introduction of air into the fluid.

Abstract: A set screw includes a threaded body having a hole defined therein, wherein the hole is situated along an axis of the threaded body. The set screw also includes a super-elastic alloy insert, such as a nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) insert, partially received and secured within the hole. The NiTi insert may include a plurality of grooves adapted to allow for transverse expansion of the NiTi insert. The NiTi insert may be polygonally or cylindrically shaped. The NiTi insert may also have a substantially flat tip.

Abstract: In a wound scanning apparatus and method, a beam or sheet of light is scanned on a wound and reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light interacting with the wound at a plurality of points thereof is detected. The detected reflections are processed into data representative of the wound. The data or a representation thereof is reproduced in a human understandable form.

Abstract: A vortexer that includes a base, a plurality of electromagnets mounted in the base, a holder having a body formed, at least in part, of magnetic material pivotably supported on the base and spaced above the electromagnets, a power source and a device in communication with the electromagnets and the power source for selectively activating and deactivating each electromagnet with power from the power source, whereupon the holder pivotably moves toward at least one of the electromagnets when activated.

Abstract: In a biological sample grinding device and method, a bearing having a plurality of rolling elements disposed between a pair of rings is disposed in a container in which a fluid having at least one biological sample particle therein is introduced. With the bearing immersed in the fluid having the biological sample particle therein, one ring of the bearing is rotated relative to the other ring thereof, whereupon the rolling elements roll between the pair of rings and, in response thereto, the biological sample particle is drawn by the fluid between the pair of rings where it is subject to being crushed or ground between at least one of the rolling elements and at least one of the rings. A baffle can be disposed in the container for inhibiting the rotation of the fluid and, hence, the introduction of air into the fluid.

Abstract: A capacitive uterine contraction sensor (28) includes an insulating substrate (18), a first electrode (20) disposed on one side of the substrate (18), and a second electrode (22) positioned in a spaced relation to the first electrode (20). The second electrode (22) is configured to move toward or away from the first electrode (20). The sensor may also include a conductive standoff (24) sandwiched between the substrate (18) and the second electrode (22) for maintaining the second electrode (22) in a spaced relation to the first electrode (20). The conductive standoff (24) is electrically coupled to the second electrode (22) and electrically isolated from the first electrode (20). Alternatively, the second electrode (22) may include a spring mechanism used in conjunction with a standoff (24) to maintain the second electrode (22) in a spaced relation to the first electrode (20).

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing having a substantially round throughbore, a first side, and a second side. A sleeve bearing is situated within the throughbore. A first spring washer is situated adjacent the first side of the housing and the sleeve bearing, and similarly, a second spring washer is situated adjacent the second side of the housing and the sleeve bearing. A bushing extends into an opening of the first spring washer, an opening of the sleeve bearing, and the throughbore of the housing. A thrust washer is situated adjacent to the second spring washer and a fastener is situated adjacent to the thrust washer. A kit including the aforementioned components is also disclosed.

Abstract: A set screw includes a threaded body having a hole defined therein, wherein the hole is situated along an axis of the threaded body. The set screw also includes a super-elastic alloy insert, such as a nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) insert, partially received and secured within the hole. The NiTi insert may include a plurality of grooves adapted to allow for transverse expansion of the NiTi insert. The NiTi insert may be polygonally or cylindrically shaped. The NiTi insert may also have a substantially flat tip.

Abstract: A vortexer that includes a base, a plurality of electromagnets mounted in the base, a holder having a body formed, at least in part, of magnetic material pivotably supported on the base and spaced above the electromagnets, a power source and a device in communication with the electromagnets and the power source for selectively activating and deactivating each electromagnet with power from the power source, whereupon the holder pivotably moves toward at least one of the electromagnets when activated.

Abstract: A cytometer system includes a fluid input manifold having a sample bore for accommodating a flow of sample fluid surrounded by a frustoconical shaped chamber for accommodating a flow of sheath fluid. A cuvette has a central bore positioned for receiving from the sample bore the flow of the sample fluid surrounded by and in non-mixing contact with the flow of the sheath fluid. The section of the central bore receiving the sample fluid and the sheath fluid has a frustoconical shape that converges and terminates in a section of the central bore that has a square cross section.

Abstract: A stereo laparoscope for producing a stereoscopic optical image of an intracorporeal region to be viewed through a small incision. The stereo laparoscope included multiple imaging assemblies disposed in a direction non-parallel to the axis of the laparoscope. The imaging assemblies are disposed in a fixed orientation relative. Selection and processing means are included for enabling the user to select a left imaging assembly and a right imaging assembly from three or more imaging assemblies. The left and right views provide three dimensional or stereoscopic viewing, and the distance between at least two assemblies can be greater than the diameter of the laparoscope.

Abstract: A stereo laparoscope for producing a stereoscopic optical image of an intracorporeal region to be viewed through a small incision. The stereo laparoscope included multiple imaging assemblies disposed in a direction non-parallel to the axis of the laparoscope. The imaging assemblies are disposed in a fixed orientation relative. Selection and processing means are included for enabling the user to select a left imaging assembly and a right imaging assembly from three or more imaging assemblies. The left and right views provide three dimensional or stereoscopic viewing, and the distance between at least two assemblies can be greater than the diameter of the laparoscope.

Abstract: The invention is a device for automatically cutting small objects, primarily objects in the form of tablets and a method of tablet cutting. The device includes tablet guide, alignment and cutter apparatus. The tablet-guide moves a tablet to a cutting position. The alignment apparatus aligns the tablet for cutting at the cutting position. The cutting apparatus automatically cuts the fully aligned tablet into tablet portions having equal volume. The device may include vacuum apparatus for removing cut tablet particulates and may include ejector apparatus for ejecting cut tablet portions.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring displacement includes a primary coil wound around a longitudinal axis and at least one secondary coil wound around the longitudinal axis. Each secondary coil has a winding density distribution that varies between the ends thereof. The winding direction of each secondary coil varies between a clockwise winding direction between the ends thereof. A coupler is positioned adjacent the primary coil between the ends thereof. The coupler includes a resonating circuit configured to resonate at a resonating frequency. The coupler or the coils are configured to move relative to the other of the coupler or the coils. A control system excites the primary coil with a first step of a signal and receives from each secondary coil in response thereto a time varying signal. Each time varying signal includes a ringing component superimposed on a time varying component temporally adjacent the first step of the signal.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring displacement includes a primary coil wound around a longitudinal axis and at least one secondary coil wound around the longitudinal axis. Each secondary coil has a winding density distribution that varies between the ends thereof. The winding direction of each secondary coil varies between a clockwise winding direction between the ends thereof. A coupler is positioned adjacent the primary coil between the ends thereof. The coupler includes a resonating circuit configured to resonate at a resonating frequency. The coupler or the coils are configured to move relative to the other of the coupler or the coils. A control system excites the primary coil with a first step of a signal and receives from each secondary coil in response thereto a time varying signal. Each time varying signal includes a ringing component superimposed on a time varying component temporally adjacent the first step of the signal.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring displacement includes a first member having a primary coil and a pair of secondary coils wound around a longitudinal axis thereof. The secondary coils have a periodically varying winding density distribution. The winding density distribution of one secondary coil is shifted relative to the winding density distribution of the other secondary coil. A second member positioned adjacent the first member modifies an electromagnetic field produced by the primary coil. In response to the modified electromagnetic field, the first and secondary coils produce first and second signals having amplitudes that vary periodically in response to relative movement between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring the level of a fluid includes a tube having a primary coil and a pair of secondary coils wound thereabout. The secondary coils have a periodically varying winding density distribution. The winding density distribution of one secondary coil is shifted relative to the winding density distribution of the other secondary coil. A float positioned adjacent the tube modifies an electromagnetic field produced by the primary coil. In response to the modified electromagnetic field, the first and secondary coils produce first and second signals having amplitudes that vary periodically in response to the movement of the float between the ends of the tube.

Abstract: A stereo laparoscope for producing a stereoscopic optical image of an intracorporeal region to be view through a small incision. The stereo laparoscope includes a conventional elongate tubular casing having an illuminating window and left and right observation windows disposed in a distal extremity thereof, said distal extremity for insertion within the human body. At least two separate optical imaging assemblies are disposed within the casing to produce a stereoscopic optical image. At least one of the optical imaging assemblies is moveable relative to the other. Focusing devices are synchronized with variation in depth perception to permit variation in image distance responsive to variation in depth perception.

Abstract: An extra-uterine sensing device for directly measuring changes in pressure brought about by uterine contractions of a wearer. The sensing device includes an outer member adapted for fixed attachment to the abdomen in an area of the wearer's uterus to establish a minimum pre-load and a sensor unit positioned between the outer member of the abdomen. The sensor unit includes a variable resistor formed of a pressure sensitive ink, a first electrically conductive member interfacing with the ink and a second electrically conductive member interfacing with the ink and spaced from the first electrically conductive member and a device attached to the first and second electrically conductive members to monitor changes in the electrical resistance.