Other

Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc.

William R McCandless

Spencer M Lovette

Spencer Lovette

Art Desanto

Fulga Inacu

Hugo Lopez

A device for connecting two bicycles to one another in a side-by-side relationship allows two riders to simultaneously use the bicycle and not have the view blocked by a rider directly in front of them. A steering bar insures that the front wheels of both bicycles are always pointed in the same direction so that, when connected, the joined bicycles both head in the same direction. Additional bars are connected between the two bicycles to provide a rigid connection between the bicycles. The rigid connection insures that both bicycles travel at the same speed. If one rider causes one of the bicycles to move faster, the acceleration and speed of the first bicycle will be transferred to the second bicycle due to the rigid connection. For all intents and purposes, when joined, the two bicycles act as a single vehicle. The connection between the bicycles can be easily disassembled so that each bicycle can be used separately. The flexibility of using both bicycles separately or together is advantageous in such situations as bicycle rentals. Bicycles can be joined or separated as the demand dictates.

Convertible bicycle

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. A novel lubrication station is provided in which the piercer is dipped prior to use to facilitate the piercing operation, to coat the cut and to minimize stopper debris. A wash station is also provided.

Apparatus for accessing a sealed container

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.

Growing community of inventors

Connellsville, PA, United States of America

William R McCandless