Abstract: An apparatus for use in obtaining a value from a device includes a first comparator to receive a reference high signal and a device signal, where the first comparator provides a first output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference high signal, and a second comparator to receive a reference low signal and the device signal, where the second comparator provides a second output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference low signal. Also included in the apparatus is circuitry (i) to adjust at least one of the reference high signal and the reference low signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal, and (ii) to output the value if a difference between the reference high signal and the reference low signal meets a predetermined criterion, the value being based on the difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in obtaining a value from a device includes a first comparator to receive a reference high signal and a device signal, where the first comparator provides a first output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference high signal, and a second comparator to receive a reference low signal and the device signal, where the second comparator provides a second output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference low signal. Also included in the apparatus is circuitry (i) to adjust at least one of the reference high signal and the reference low signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal, and (ii) to output the value if a difference between the reference high signal and the reference low signal meets a predetermined criterion, the value being based on the difference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accessing a sealed container, and in particular a sealed container which is at a pressure other than atmospheric and which generally contains blood or other bodily fluid. A piercer and a probe are provided which are mounted to an XYZ positioning mechanism and are controlled such that the piercer passes through a stopper of the container, forming a cut therein through which the probe may subsequently enter the container. A foot mechanism is provided which is held against the stopper or seal for the container during piercer or probe removal for stripping purposes and through which the probe and piercer pass, the size and shape of the foot being such that, for both piercing and probing operations, it is over only a single container. The piercer and probe are operated such that the one not being used is in each instance in a raised position relative to the one being used.

Abstract: A method for aspirating a fluid from a sealed container and for dispensing a precise quantity of the aspirated fluid. The method involves standard steps of inserting a probe into the container through the container seal and aspirating bubbles and the selected quantity of fluid into the probe before removing the probe from the container and dispensing the fluid. The method also includes an additional step performed at at least one stage in the method to assure that, before the dispensing operation is performed, sample fluid in the probe extends to the end of the probe without any fluid extending beyond the end of the probe.

Abstract: A bur grinding machine especially adapted to grind dental burs and including a turntable supporting a plurality of similar workheads having collets to support bur blanks; a plurality of grinding units mounted on a stationary base in circumferentially spaced locations around the periphery of said table and respectively operable to perform different grinding operations in sequence upon the heads of bur blanks; means to index, rotate, and advance the collets of the workheads automatically at each grinding unit to form a plurality of teeth upon the bur blanks; means to index said table to advance the burs in the workheads to the next grinding unit; means to feed and accurately position bur blanks within the collets of the workheads; and means to control the cycle of the machine throughout.

Abstract: A bur grinding machine especially adapted to grind dental burs and including a turntable supporting a plurality of similar workheads having collets to support bur blanks; a plurality of grinding units mounted on a stationary base in circumferentially spaced locations around the periphery of said table and respectively operable to perform different grinding operations in sequence upon the heads of bur blanks; means to index, rotate, and advance the collets of the workheads automatically at each grinding unit to form a plurality of teeth upon the bur blanks; means to index said table to advance the burs in the workheads to the next grinding unit; means to feed and accurately position bur blanks within the collets of the workheads; and means to control the cycle of the machine throughout.

Abstract: A bur grinding machine especially adapted to grind dental burs and including a turntable supporting a plurality of similar workheads having collets to support bur blanks; a plurality of grinding units mounted on a stationary base in circumferentially spaced locations around the periphery of said table and repsectively operable to perform different grinding operations in sequence upon the heads of bur blanks; means to index, rotate, and advance the collets of the workheads automatically at each grinding unit to form a plurality of teeth upon the bur blanks; means to index said table to advance the burs in the workheads to the next grinding unit; means to feed and accurately position bur blanks within the collets of the workheads; and means to control the cycle of the machine throughout.