Did You Know...
...that the Slinky toy was the result of a failed attempt by engineer Richard James to produce an antivibration device for ship instruments? His goal was to develop a spring that would instantaneously counterbalance the wave motion that rocks a ship at sea. Instead, he developed the Slinky.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7998409 | Specimen-transport module for multi-instrument clinical workcell A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7854892 | Specimen-transport module A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an... | 12/21/2010 |
| 7850914 | Specimen-transport module for a multi-instrument clinical workcell A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an... | 12/14/2010 |
| 7794666 | Method and apparatus for controlling reaction temperature in bio-chemical instruments Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more reaction vessels in a bio-chemical analyzer comprises a heat-exchange block, preferably made of cast aluminum or the like, and a thermoelectric device for heating or cooling the block to within a de... | 09/14/2010 |
| 7661326 | Apparatus for aspirating and dispensing liquids in an automated analyzer Apparatus for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples in an analytical instrument, e.g., a hematology instrument, includes a liquid-sampling valve that, while operating to segment and position for dispensing one or more precise volumes of a liquid sample that has b... | 02/16/2010 |
| 7481978 | Apparatus for aspirating liquids from sealed containers Apparatus for aspirating liquid from a container, e.g., a test tube, having a puncturable stopper includes a pair of stepper motors that share a common linear actuator or drive member. One motor operates to axially advance the linear drive member (preferably a lead ... | 01/27/2009 |
| 7392908 | Methods and apparatus for sorting particles hydraulically A method and apparatus for selectively sorting individual particles, such as blood cells of a particular type of interest, from a plurality of particles of different types. Particles of interest are individually differentiated from other particles in a known manner,... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7354773 | Method and apparatus for preparing cell samples for intracellular antigen detection using flow cytometry A method and apparatus for preparing biological cell samples for intracellular analysis. The invention is based upon the recognition that many of the steps of the conventional methods for such sample preparation can be eliminated, leading to a process that readily l... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7331474 | Specimen-container rack for automated clinical instrument A magnetically-attractive specimen-container rack for use with a magnetic transport system for transporting racks of specimen-containers to or within an automated clinical instrument for analysis and/or processing. The specimen-container rack comprises a pair of U-s... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7300804 | Method and apparatus for controlling the uniform smearing of a biological liquid over a substrate A method and apparatus for controlling the processing of a liquid sample, e.g., a blood sample, based on a measurement related to the sample's ability to coat a surface against which the sample is brought into contact while being routinely transported. Preferably, t... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7284453 | Method and apparatus for maximizing liquid aspiration from small vessels Apparatus and method for aspirating liquid from a container, e.g., a test tube or other vessel, includes apparatus for sensing that an aspiration probe tip is contacting the inside bottom wall of the container, whereby a maximum volume of liquid can be aspirated fro... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7275430 | Method and apparatus for detecting liquid levels in liquid-storage containers A method and apparatus for sensing different levels of liquids in their respective containers in a liquid-consuming and/or producing instrument system. According to a preferred embodiment, an elongated liquid-sensing probe having axially spaced electrodes adapted to... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7264111 | Magnetic specimen-transport system for automated clinical instrument A magnetic specimen-transport system for transporting racks of specimen-containers to or within an automated clinical instrument for analysis and/or processing. The magnetic specimen-transport system that is adapted to transport magnetically-attractable racks of spe... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7131598 | Snow-gun A snow-gun for producing man-made snow from a combination of compressed air and water features a new nozzle configuration for discharging a mixture of water-particles and air into the surrounding atmosphere. Such nozzle is provided with an elliptically-shaped discha... | 11/07/2006 |
| 7095492 | Method and apparatus for measuring cell-by-cell hemoglobin An apparatus and method for directly determining the hemoglobin content (CH) of individual sphered red blood cells and for directly determining the width of the cell hemoglobin distribution of a red blood cell sample. Such apparatus and method monitors the light ref... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7075647 | Back-scatter detection in flow cytometers A method and apparatus for detecting back-scattered light from small particles, such as blood cells, irradiated by a focused beam of light as such particles travel through the interrogation zone of a standard optical flow cell in a flow cytometer. Back-scattered lig... | 07/11/2006 |
| 7028831 | Magnetic specimen-transport system for automated clinical instrument A magnetic specimen-transport system for transporting racks of specimen-containers to or within an automated clinical instrument for analysis and/or processing. The magnetic specimen-transport system that is adapted to transport magnetically-attractable racks of spe... | 04/18/2006 |
| 6922241 | Fiber optic apparatus for detecting light scatter to differentiate blood cells and the like Apparatus for detecting light scattered by a small particle (e.g., a blood cell) irradiated by a light beam comprises one or more photodetectors and a plurality of optical fibers that serve to optically couple the scattered light and the photodetector(s). To enhance... | 07/26/2005 |
| 6908226 | Method and apparatus for aspirating liquid from a container A method and apparatus for aspirating a liquid (e.g., blood) from a container uses an electrically biased thermistor element, mounted proximate the tip of a liquid-aspirating probe, to determine that the probe is safely submerged within a body of liquid to be aspira... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6894779 | Apparatus for detecting back-scatter in a laser-based blood analysis system A back-scatter detector for detecting light scattered backwardly (i.e., reflected) by an irradiated particle such as a blood cell comprises a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber optic holder having a centrally located opening for passing a light beam used to irradi... | 05/17/2005 |
| 6872361 | Dual pad liquid shear valve assembly A shear valve assembly comprises a pair of valve pads having opposing planar surfaces supported for relative sliding engagement. Each valve pad defines a plurality of liquid pathways by which a liquid can be passed from one pad to the other. The planar surface of on... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6869569 | Apparatus for differentiating blood cells using back-scatter Blood cells of interest are readily distinguishable from other blood cells and look-a-like particles found in a blood sample by their back-scatter signature. A preferred method for differentiating platelets in a blood sample is to irradiate the cells and particles, ... | 03/22/2005 |
| 6859276 | Extracted polarization intensity differential scattering for particle characterization A particle sizing method and apparatus of the PIDS type uses randomly polarized radiation to irradiate a particle sample. Portions of the resulting side scattering pattern are decomposed to simultaneously produce, for each decomposed portion, first and second linear... | 02/22/2005 |
| 6798508 | Fiber optic apparatus for detecting light scatter to differentiate blood cells and the like Apparatus for detecting light scattered by a small particle (e.g., a blood cell) irradiated by a light beam comprises one or more photodetectors and a plurality of optical fibers that serve to optically couple the scattered light and the photodetector(s). To enhance... | 09/28/2004 |
| 6743634 | Method and apparatus for differentiating blood cells using back-scatter Blood cells of interest are readily distinguishable from other blood cells and look-a-like particles found in a blood sample by their back-scatter signature. A preferred method for differentiating platelets in a blood sample is to irradiate the cells and particles, ... | 06/01/2004 |
| 6098617 | Device for administering/sampling inhalant/expired gases in an oro/nasopharyngeal airway A device adapted for use with a conventional oral or nasopharyngeal airway for delivering an inhalant gas to a proximal end of said airway, and for sampling exhalant gas at a distal end of said airway, comprises a pair of conduits which are adapted to sli... | 08/08/2000 |
| 6007046 | Fluid transport circuit and valve structure therefor An open/close valve construction for use in solid-state fluid transport circuits having discrete fluid passageways formed in rigid substrates with a substrate land between port regions of the fluid passageways. The valve construction comprises a diaphragm... | 12/28/1999 |
| 5956246 | Low-noise switching power supply A power supply apparatus which includes at least one switching power supply disposed in a chassis connected to earth ground and at least one D.C. to D.C. converter whose inputs float with respect to system ground. To reduce transmission of high-frequency ... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5937858 | Oro/nasopharyngeal airway for administering/sampling inhalent/expired gases An oro/nasopharyngeal airway comprises an arcuately shaped tubular member adapted for insertion into a patient's pharynx, either through the mouth or nasal passage, to prevent obstruction during the administration of anesthesia. According to a preferred e... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5899232 | Debris-resistant hydropneumatic valve A poppet valve apparatus is structured to reduce the rate of build-up of fluid-borne debris within its internal architecture. The inlet and outlet ports are arranged tangential to the internal cylindrical walls defining the valve's flow chambers, whereby ... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5891741 | Antibody-aminodextran-phycobiliprotein conjugates The present application discloses dextran crosslinked, antibody-phycobiliprotein conjugates containing up to twenty phycobiliprotein per dextran molecule which conjugates are able to achieve amplification of fluorescence intensity over direct antibod... | 04/06/1999 |
| 5884841 | Method and apparatus for making snow Snow-making apparatus comprises the combination of a bulk water nozzle for projecting a spray of water particles into the air, and a plurality of nucleators for injecting ice particles (nuclei) into the spray to provide nucleation sites about the water pa... | 03/23/1999 |
| 5871696 | Cassette for blood smear slides and cooperative slide ejection assembly A cassette for blood smear slides has a holder portion for supporting slides in a stack and an alignment surface for orienting a bottom slide with respect to a slide egress window. A force plate member is urged against the top slide in the stack with a co... | 02/16/1999 |
| 5853665 | Apparatus and method for monitoring vent line vacuum An apparatus for automatically drawing a blood sample from a sealed container having an internal pressure below that of atmospheric pressure comprises an aspirating needle which serves to pierce the sealed container to aspirate liquid from the container, ... | 12/29/1998 |
| 5804145 | Apparatus for the preparation of microscope slides An improved method and apparatus for making blood smears on microscope slides are disclosed. The method is characterized by the step of temporarily deforming the normally planar surface of a slide on which the smear is being made, rendering it slightly co... | 09/08/1998 |
| 5769284 | Self-adjusting pick-up tube assembly for aspirating liquid from containers A self-adjusting pick-up tube assembly for aspirating liquid from containers of varying heights. Such assembly comprises (a) a platform member adapted to be positioned in contact with the bottom of a container when the pick-up tube is being used to aspira... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5766549 | Apparatus for drying blood smear slides Apparatus for drying a succession of microscope slides having wet blood specimen smears on a first major surface, including a belt transport for moving slides along a longitudinal drying path with their wet surfaces facing in a common direction and means ... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5763204 | Preparation of preserved, non-infectious control cell for use in the identification of a disease through blood testing Preparation of non-infectious control cells from normal, non-infectious, non-disease altered blood by depletion or augmentation of one or more cell types found in normal blood to reflect a specific disease state. The control cells so produced are preserve... | 06/09/1998 |
| 5699961 | Fanless snow gun A fanless snow gun for producing man-made snow comprises one or more water nozzles for projecting a substantially conical spray of water particles into the air, and a plurality of nucleating nozzles arranged rearwardly of and at spaced locations surroundi... | 12/23/1997 |
| 5687849 | Test tube cassette for accommodating different tube sizes A cassette for supporting a plurality of cylindrically-shaped containers (e.g., test tubes) of randomly varying diameters in spaced parallel relationship includes a frame supporting a plurality of tube centering assemblies in side-by-side relationship. Ea... | 11/18/1997 |
