Abstract: A method of using automatic whole body personnel contamination monitors and/or means for decontaminating individuals exposed to radioactive material contamination is provided. The inventive method involves the use of these monitors and/or decontamination means in intermodal containers of mobile-unit structures dedicated to responding to radiological emergency situations. Also provided are such mobile-unit structures, as well as systems that employ such mobile-unit structures.

Abstract: A method of using automatic whole body personnel contamination monitors and/or means for decontaminating individuals exposed to radioactive material contamination is provided. The inventive method involves the use of these monitors and/or decontamination means in intermodal containers of mobile-unit structures dedicated to responding to radiological emergency situations. Also provided are such mobile-unit structures, as well as systems that employ such mobile-unit structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising a well provided on a rotor near the axis of rotation for receiving a relatively rare blood component, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), or for receiving a fluid that can be used multiple times, such as a washing solution. The well is placed radially outwardly from the axis of rotation and radially inwardly from cavity, which receives bags containing blood or another biologic fluid. The well is placed in a low centrifugal force region relative to the position of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising an asymmetrical junction or manifold in the blood bag and tubing set inhibits errors when the bags and tubes are loaded into the device.

Abstract: A multifunction module for an electron beam column comprises upper and lower electrodes, and a central ring electrode. The upper and lower electrodes have multipoles and are capable of deflecting, or correcting an aberration of, an electron beam passing through the electrodes. A voltage can be applied to the central ring electrode independently of the voltages applied to the upper and lower electrodes to focus the electron beam on a substrate.

Abstract: A multifunction module for an electron beam column comprises upper and lower electrodes, and a central ring electrode. The upper and lower electrodes have multipoles and are capable of deflecting, or correcting an aberration of, an electron beam passing through the electrodes. A voltage can be applied to the central ring electrode independently of the voltages applied to the upper and lower electrodes to focus the electron beam on a substrate.

Abstract: An electron beam column comprises a thermal field emission electron source to generate an electron beam, an electron beam blanker, a beam shaping module, and electron beam optics comprising a plurality of electron beam lenses. In one version, the optical parameters of the electron beam blanker, beam shaping module, and electron beam optics are set to achieve an acceptance semi-angle ? of from about ¼ to about 3 mrads, where the acceptance semi-angle ? is half the angle subtended by the electron beam at the writing plane. The beam-shaping module can also operate as a single lens using upper and lower projection lenses. A multifunction module for an electron beam column is also described.

Abstract: A metering system for handling product through a packaging operation comprising: a mechanism for transporting individual product units in discrete lanes to a staging area ahead of a subsequent processing operation; a stop for restraining the flow of product before it enters the subsequent processing operation; a mechanism for detecting when a predetermined quantity of product has accumulated in each lane of the staging area against the stop; and a mechanism for restraining by individual lane further quantities of product before they enter the staging area.

Abstract: A combination sealing and cutting device comprising: an elongated anvil having an elongated slot therein; an elongated blade having a longitudinal aperture therein; a heating element in the longitudinal aperture; and an actuator mechanism for driving the blade toward and into the elongated slot to accomplish simultaneous sealing and cutting of overlying polymer films. According to various preferred embodiments, the combination sealing and cutting device further includes a pair of parallel flanges extending along both edges of the blade that serve to retain the blade; and film retaining beads along the longitudinal edges of the parallel flanges that serve to retain the plastic films being cut and sealed against the outer edges of the elongated slot.

Abstract: An adjustable lane guide system comprising: 1) first and second generally parallel and spaced apart support bars; 2) a plurality of lane guides generally perpendicular to the support bars; and 3) a plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms joining the lane guides to the first and second support bars. Each of the adjustable attachment mechanisms comprises a bearing block that engages the support bars; a pair of opposing wings on either side of the bearing block also engaging the support bars and each having first and second ends, the first ends hingeably attached to the bearing block and the second ends flared by a spring located between the pair of opposed wings such that pressure applied to each of the second ends causes the wings to be drawn toward each other against the pressure of the spring thereby allowing the adjustment mechanisms to move laterally along the support bar so that the distance between adjacent lane guides can be changed along the first and second support bars.

Abstract: A splicing device comprising: an elongated anvil having an elongated slot therein; an elongated splicing head having a pair of spaced apart tips extending therefrom and having a longitudinal aperture therein; a heating element in the longitudinal aperture; and an actuator mechanism for driving one of the tips toward and into the elongated slot to weld two overlying polymer films together and the other of the tips into cutting contact with a polymeric film from a spent roll of film. According to various preferred embodiments, the splicing device further includes a pair of retaining members on either side of the anvil that serve to retain films to be spliced in taut contact with the anvil during splicing, and a turret section for rotating full and spent rolls of polymeric film into position for continued operation and reloading.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing a photographic element and a process of its formation wherein a gelatin silver halide emulsion is provided with a thickener comprising a copolymer of the structure whereinA comprises about 10 to about 20 parts by weight of said copolymer, andB comprises about 80 to about 90 parts by weight of said copolymer.It is particularly preferred that the copolymer be provided in a hardener layer to minimize the amount of gelatin needed and thus reduce the reaction of hardener with gelatin. The invention finds a preferred use in curtain coating wherein there is a greater need for high viscosity materials, particularly at the bottom of a group of layers in order to minimize distortions of the layers as they are applied in the curtain coating process.

Abstract: A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit (1) and a processing unit (2'). The collection unit (1) has an in-feed mechanism (11) to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit (1); and an interlock mechanism (12) suitable for removably securing the collection unit (1) to the processing unit (2') and emptying the syringes from the collection unit (1) into the processing unit (2').

Abstract: A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit and a process unit. The collection unit has an in-feed mechanism to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit; and an interlock mechanism suitable for removably securing the collection unit to the processing unit and emptying the syringes from the collection unit into the processing unit. The processing unit contains an interlock mechanism suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism; a grinder suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; and a crucible assembly suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated.

Abstract: A mechanical in-line sector scanner is provided in which the ultrasonic transducer pivots about an axis. The transducer is oscillated through an arc about the axis by reciprocating pins, which alternately push the transducer in opposite directions of scanning. The pins are reciprocated by a continuously turning cam having a cam surface obliquely oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pins.

Abstract: A pressurizing syringe includes one or more dimple-shaped snapdomes located between the plunger and piston of a syringe assembly. When the plunger is depressed, the snapdomes will deflect at a known pressure level, giving the user a tactile and audible indication that the syringe is compressing fluid at the desired pressure. A method for using a pressurizing syringe to pressurize the fluid-filled compartment of an ultrasonic scan head is also described.

Abstract: A tool for mounting a fitting on a pipe or demounting it therefrom without the application of torque to the pipe comprises two clamping member mounted on a coupling member together with means for applying a torque to the fitting.