Livingston Reporting - page 166

Tips for Designing Shrink Sleeve Labels

Shrink sleeve labeling has taken the advertising world by storm. Long gone are the days where a bottle of energy drink was just another bottle that you would toss in the recycling bin soon after you are done with it. There are now more visually appealing designs of packaging material everywhere you look that make you buy various products just to have the containers.

The most appealing thing about shrink sleeve labeling, in addition to the vibrant color choices and head-turning 360 degree graphics, is that there is no need for adhesives.  As much as we don’t want to pull the labels off, it makes the peeling off process easier regular labels and because most containers can contour to a variety of special shapes it makes the containers reusable. We can now say goodbye to the overpriced water or sports drinks bottles.

 If you are still not convinced about shrink sleeve labeling, maybe the following benefits will:

  • Shrink sleeve labels have a larger coverage than conventional labels that allow for larger graphics and product information
  • In addition to being a packaging material, shrink sleeve labels are also tamper evident seals due to the horizontal perforation on the cap
  • Multi-pack shrink sleeve labeling allows for different packaging size and container shapes
  • You can now shrink sleeve aluminum cans
  • You can enhance your product’s appeal to get it noticed, which is one way to outshine your competitors
  • Shrink sleeve labels also have a built in barrier against scratching and damage to your design

There has been a reported rise in the shrink sleeve labeling industry, and with the help of an experienced team of printing professionals, you can design and customize your own shrink sleeve labels in a matter of weeks.

Fundamentals For Consideration

  • Print out your sleeve design and then just hand wrap it around the container to have a feel of how it’s going to look before printing.
  • Your graphics should be elaborate and precise in order to leave fewer margins for error
  • Don’t be tempted to use clear labels because they often tend to reveal various imperfections (if any), instead, use graphics that can make your product visible through a few clear areas of the shrink sleeve – especially if you are going for partial coverage.
  • The printing company will add the distortion to your design to match the curvature of the container. Therefore, you don’t need to add the distortion percentages on a shrink label.
  • The printer will provide a template for your package, and it’s important that you set your design according to the die line.
  • Once you have approved what the printer will have sent you, run a few sample labels, do a shrink test and rework the label until you are happy with the final look then approve it for printing.

Contact Us

Learn more about Anchor Printing and their vast line of custom product label & packaging options including: Shrink Sleeve Labels, Flexible Packaging, Roll-Fed Labeling, Pressure Sensitive and Cut & Stack Labels at http://www.anchorprinting.com/shrink-sleeve.php.  To contact one of our label specialists call toll free at 800.748.0209 or via email at info@anchorprinting.com.

The Process of Refurbishing Large Scaled Medical Equipment

Smart pacemakers, insulin pumps, x-ray machines, drug infusion pumps, gamma cameras, and a linear accelerator (LINAC) are just some of the many medical devices and equipment used for a variety of clinical applications including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and others for general imaging.

In most cases, in order to ensure the highest patient satisfaction and system uptime large scaled medical equipment are fortified with remote service capabilities for a full remote access and diagnosis to ensure that small problems do not turn into big downtime. This level of pre-emptive monitoring and trending of key performance indicators have come in ensuring an interruption-free imaging, detection efficiency, and patient evaluations.

Needing Repair/ Upgrades

Large scaled medical equipment such as a linear accelerator are complicated devices that contains hundreds, if not thousands of parts that play a cohesive role to safely generate beams of radiation that kill cancer and save human lives. Irreparable damage to any of these vital parts of a linear accelerator (an upgrade itself) would cost a hospital thousands of dollars, not forgetting that the medical equipment weighs several thousand pounds and the cost of having it professionally and safely dismantled, removed and properly disposed of can, needless to say, be unspeakable.

Using a Professional Tech

Before any large scaled medical equipment can reach a zero market value, it is important to work with reputable and professional linear accelerator technicians who by rights, go through a rigorous five-step procedure to make ensure the installation of the replaced parts are ready for use again in a refurbished linear accelerator and at a bundled discounts on software and other accessories.

The main components of a linear accelerator include the gantry, the stand, the modulator cabinet, control console, and the treatment couch – each with critical components within it that has undergone rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance. When it comes to refurbished linear devices, only independent refurbishment companies can provide a full beam testing.

Roles of a Technician

Biomedical equipment technician with a Bachelors’ degree in electrical or mechanical engineering will typically perform the following roles when refurbishing a linear accelerator:

  • Provide preventive maintenance scheduling and responding to down machines
  • A technician can assist in the design and modification of treatment accessories
  • Ensure that each damaged piece of a linear accelerator undergoes thorough testing
  • Maintain inventory and order parts for linear accelerators
  • Organize vendor service and documentation
  • Carry out an assembly, functional testing and replace parts as needed
  • Assess the uniformity, balance and dosimetry system of the dose output
  • Carry out a cosmetic assessment process of the patient couch and whether it needs to be professionally covered with OEM textured paint
  • He or she will carry out a 17 point pre-shipment check list and inventory
  • Arrange transportation if necessary
  • Conduct operational checks and adjustments in order to ensure that the linear accelerator meets all the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) specifications

Operating a linear accelerator with a decent-sized patient load is ideally what any doctor wants. Regular maintenance and repairs can be a great solution.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

Top 4 Questions to Ask about Medigap Insurance in TN

Before choosing a private insurance company and buy a Medigap insurance plan in Tennessee, there are some very important questions you should ask. The answers to those questions will help you a great deal when it comes to choosing the best Medigap insurance in TN, the best plan for yourself, and so on. Without much ado, here are some of those questions.

  1. What companies sell Medigap insurance in TN?

First, you must find out what private insurance companies offer Medigap insurance in Tennessee. The best place to find them is from the Department of Finance Services because here, they often maintain the most recent list of all the private insurance companies that are licensed to issue Medigap insurance policies. The list from the Department is the most trusted one.

Alternatively, you can ask your friends and colleagues who have signed up for Medigap insurance plans. You can also search online for the insurance companies near you.

  1. What Medicare Supplement insurance plans do companies offer?

Once you have the list, you can then contact each of them, compare the available options and the rates of insurance plans. This way, you will be in a position to make an informed decision. The total number of standardized plans is 12. Interestingly, not every private insurance company offers all these plans. However, all of them offer two basic plans – Plan A and Plan B. Have a list of all the companies offering the plans that provide the benefits you are interested in, and then do the comparison.

  1. Do I need a Medigap Policy if I already have Medicare Advantage Plan?

Formally known as Medicare + Choice, the Medicare Advantage plan covers everything that a Medigap policy could have covered. It fills all the gaps that are left by normal insurance cover. So, you don’t need to buy a Medigap insurance policy if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan. This is because advantage plans normally contract with Medicare to offer clients all benefits that Medicare provides. Additionally, it also offers vision coverage and other extra benefits.

  1. How much are Medigap Insurance premium?

The rates are not the same because a private insurance company will charge premium rates differently depending on the Medigap plan you sign up to. The rates also vary from company to company. Yes, the benefits that each Medigap plan offers are standardized. However, the premium rates that insurance companies charge for coverage under these plans are not the same.

Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Tennessee at http://emedigap-plans.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans.  Our Tennessee Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans. To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!

 

Tennessee State Medicare Facts

  • There are over 1.2 million residents receiving Medicare benefits in 2015 – That is 19% of the entire state population
  • 21% of beneficiaries that became eligible in 2013 were disabled
  • A little less than 1.0% of recipients that started receiving benefits in 2013 were diagnoses with End State Renal Disease (ESRD)

Choosing the Correct TN Medicare Supplemental Insurance for Your Needs

When you are shopping for Tennessee Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates it is critical that you get as many quotes as possible from as many companies as you can.  While there are only ten standardized policies across the board, companies will charge different rates for the same plans.  Also, know that plans offering lower monthly premiums have higher deductibles.

In addition, you may pay more depending on where in Tennessee you reside as prices can vary from county to county. All ten of the plans offer different benefits and it is imperative that you select the one that will best fit your need.  If you spend a lot of time in the hospital and need to purchase a great deal on medical supplies, then you will benefit for a plan with a low deductible.

Shopping for Supplemental Insurance in Tennessee with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

If you are shopping for Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans in Tennessee and have a pre-existing condition you will want to familiarize yourself with each company’s guidelines regarding coverage of individuals who suffer from a pre-existing health problem.  Some companies require that beneficiaries wait six months until coverage for the condition can begin while others only require a two or three  month waiting period.  This waiting period can be avoided all together by enrolling in a Supplemental Insurance Plan during your open enrollment period, otherwise known as OEP.  This is the period between the first day of the month in which you turn sixty five and are enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B.  The time frame for your Open Enrollment Period, OEP, is six months.

Contact Us Today

Learn more about Tennessee Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates, plans, and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com/tennessee-medicare-supplement-plans. Our Tennessee Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Tennessee Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

What is managed IT services and do I need it?

If you want to grow your business, one of the best ways to achieve this type of goal is to improve the efficiency of your IT infrastructure. But creating an IT department is expensive, and many times you may not be able to get the results you want. That’s where the need for managed IT service comes into play.

The Term Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are IT related services provided by a third party contractors. Basically, the managed service provider is hired to handle and manage the IT infrastructure of that business. Then, the customer will end up paying for the managed IT services, and that’s it.

Usually, the managed IT services are offered as a subscription, with a recurring payment that happens every month. Alternatively, a business can hire managed IT support companies only when they require any type of help. The service level agreement, which is a contract between the two parts, will always include the terms of each contract, what the company needs and what managed services are supposed to deliver.

Why does your company need managed IT services?

There are lots of reasons why managed services are a very good investment for your business. First, you get to reduce or eliminate any downtime caused by IT problems. These are proactive solutions designed to solve any issues, remove any performance problems and repair the infrastructure when needed.

Plus, managed IT services are less expensive when compared to hiring an entire IT department as well, which is extremely helpful. Companies that offer managed IT services are also known for their high-quality services, dedication, and tremendous value. That’s the thing that makes such services stand out, and the value on its own is unlike anything you have ever seen.

Outsourcing IT services removes the need for an IT department. As a result, your company spends less on this services, but it still gets the security and compliance it requires. Being able to access services from high-quality IT professionals is very important, and that can always help take your business to the next level.

Also, managed IT services deliver immediate access to new technologies that your company can use on the fly. Usually, investing in these technologies can be extremely demanding, so the results can be second to none if you opt for the right approach.

Allowing Your Business To Grow

One thing is certain, managed IT services help you take your business to new heights, and they allow you to focus on your company’s growth. Plus, removing the need for an IT department is outstanding, and the results as a whole are more than impressive. You should always consider investing in managed IT services right away if you want your company to grow fast and with tremendous results!

Get a price on outsourcing your IT support needs today! You can call us at 810-224-5252 or visit our website at www.Cpsmi.com. We are Creative Programs and Systems driven by professional people with professional results.

Blended Family Estate Planning

We have all seen blended families portrayed on TV.  They are always depicted by happy, wholesome family members that love each other to the depths of their hearts.  In reality however, this is not always true. The love factor may always resonate but elements can fade when it comes to the passing of a loved one and their estate.  Often time’s things get messy.

In order to skip that mess and to have a better plan, it is important to hire an estate planning attorney whose firm specializes in family law who will help you create a plan to prevent any uneasiness between family members upon your passing.  However, before you do that, you should really consider your future. In doing so, you should alleviate any guess work and but incorporate all the metrics which can give you a real insight into what lies ahead. Also, it can be said that the future of your blended family depends upon who owns the estate, how many members have a right to it, and are there any preliminary steps already taken by the estate owner.

There are three basic considerations to think about when you are estate planning.

1) Trusts

Trusts are established in order to ensure a healthy distribution of the assets of a remarried couple. There are many types of trusts, the QIPT, Marital, and Bypass trusts. However, choosing the right trust depends upon the financial status of the real estate.

It should also be noted that whatever trust you are establishing, you should always consider placing your children as the intermediate beneficiaries. By doing this, you conserve their rights as on your death they will be paid some amount.

On the other hand, if you name surviving spouse as your successor trustee, then chances are that the differences between him or her and your children will pull the family in troubles in the future.

2) The Power of Wills and Attorneys

It doesn’t matter which kind of trust you establish. If you’re living will says something otherwise than what the trust says, then your will is the one that is going to be preferred. We recommend you set up a living will and also establish power of attorney not only for your medical decisions but also for the financial decisions when you are no longer able to take them yourself.

This practice can eliminate the confusion and the emotional stress that would prevail in your family upon your terminal ailment. Also, someone who is experienced and sound minded will help you indirectly steer things the way you want it to go.

3) Life Insurance Policies and Retirement Plans

Both of these require you to name beneficiaries for the assets that they bear. Upon your death, the beneficiary that you have named will be given all the assets. Thus, it is necessary for everyone to check the beneficiaries which they have named so that a minor or a former spouse is not listed.

Finding the right estate planning in a blended family can be a tough task because in such families the tendency of complexities is more. Thus, in order to get everything right, work with an elder law attorney that offers specialized services in family law.

Learn more about attorney Sean J. Nichols and the legal services he provides for clients including: estate planning, elder law issues, Medicaid planning, elder care, probate law, guardianships, and power of attorney (POA) at www.seanjnichols.com.  To contact the offices of Sean J Nichols call 734.386.0224 today.

Targeting Cancer with Radiation Treatment Machines

Searching for the right radiation oncology positioning device and quality radiotherapy equipment services can be hard. However, there are certain parameters which you should consider in buying the right positioning devices from the right people without having to compromise on targeting the cancer cells effectively while treating them through the cancer treatment machines.

While it might be thought that the techniques for positioning that were used in the early days can still be used, the fact should be kept in mind that new devices have been developed that have totally eliminated the disadvantages for those early techniques.

What Is a Positioning Device?

Before we could plunge into knowing the parameters which we talked about, let us first know in true terms what really a positioning device is and what it is used for.  A positioning device in oncology is anything that can help the oncologist in maintaining a firm and steady position of his or her patient during treatment.

These devices are needed in order to fix the patient in the appropriate position so that there is no radiation leakage to any healthy visceral parts. Too often, positioning errors pose great dangers not for the patient only, but also for the oncologist or radiologist who is carrying out the radiation session. Thus, with the help of positioning devices, these errors can be mitigated to a greater level.

The Need for Positioning Devices

As we have explained the main objective of the immobilization devices, let us see what other needs call for the installation of these devices.

  • Patient’s Fear

The worries of those who are already battered by lingering cancer that they suffer from could be reduced by using devices that can position them in a better way. Normally, every patient knows the dangers that radiation therapy poses to healthy tissues. In this way, there is a need to assure them of the safety that certain devices can provide.

  • Daily Set Up Time

The time that is wasted in positioning a patient without the help of immobilization devices can be reduced with the help of them. Since the radiation therapy spans over several days and the radiation has to be targeted on the cancerous cells from different positions, it is indispensable to use positioning devices.

  • Making a Body Part Rigid

During a radiation therapy session, due to the fear of the patient or any other reason, the body part under treatment can experience flexion. This can put immense pressure on the radiologist or oncologist and thus can reduce the efficiency of the process. So, in order to eliminate any possible chances of the body part, different positioning devices can be used which comply with the structure of that part.

What should you look for immobilization devices?

In order to buy immobilization devices that can target cancer cells effectively, there is a need to pay heed to the following characteristics.

  • The device should be easy in usage and construction
  • Patient should not experience any discomfort
  • The device should be appropriately structured according to the body type of the patient and his or her external contours
  • It shouldn’t come in the way of the radiation beam
  • It shouldn’t change shape over time
  • It should position the patient optimally
  • The material with which it is made
  • Its ability to be reused

Considering the above needs and the parameters, you should buy the appropriate radiation oncology positioning device from quality radiotherapy equipment services.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

Water Softeners Compared to Water Filtering System

Water is truly an elemental part of our lives. We need it to survive. We need it to stay healthy. The need for daily consumption of water means that we have to make sure that we have access to non-contaminated water. Drinking water that contains any kind of organic or metallic contaminants could end up becoming a health issue.

The search for the best possible way to get rid of contaminants in water has been long. We have been able to come up with several solutions that could prove to be efficient, but some are more common and useful than others without a doubt.

Softeners vs Filter Systems

There are many people out there who wonder about the difference between water softeners. The truth is that water softeners are best for taking out bad smells, and iron build-up while water filtering systems are often used to remove foreign containments within the water. Water softeners are more likely to end up removing a larger number of contaminants and this makes them ideal for consumption.

Choosing Water Filtering

Water softeners could be used for this too, but they will out on anything that is not hardness causing. This means that it will remove calcium and magnesium, but not other contaminants or even industrial chemicals. The best way to do this is to use water filtering if you want to ensure the removal of as many contaminants as possible.

Water softeners are perfect when you have issues such as lime buildup. If the water has a strange taste to it, the filter is going to be the most reliable option. The key thing to consider is that water softeners and water filtering systems are both useful. You just need to know when to use each one. There are several scenarios with water contamination and each one needs its own treatment process.

Both Products Have Advantages

Both water filtering and water softeners are pretty good at purifying water, but they both have different uses without a doubt. Just learn which situation fits each of those solutions better and you are going to get very good results in the process. Filtering systems are the most common in households and they get the job done efficiently. Just make sure that you can find quality filtration systems or softeners. This is essential if you want to be able to get results that are ideal for your needs.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

Safely Refurbishing Manufacturing Equipment after a Flood

Flooding can cause much devastation.  One of them being the ability to ruin the workability of electrical equipment. Manufacturing equipment is much like any other electrical equipment in the way it reacts to water flooding inside its circuits. If you are the owner of such machinery, and it has been hit by a flood or any other water spill, then you don’t need to worry because you have an option to refurbish these electrical components.

Reconditioned electrical components can save you from spending extra money on buying new equipment. Also, it can save your time because installation of new equipment and getting it working just like the previous one can be hard.

However, manufacturing equipment requires prudent considerations in order to safely refurbish them. Let us go through these considerations.

  • Assess the damage

The first thing before even considering repairing or refurbishing any electrical component is to check the extent of the water damage that it has received. In order to do that, you would need to gather all the information that you have about the equipment. That information can include all the pertinent drawings and documentation that had come with the instrument.

Once you have that information, you can either yourself do the inspection or have a specialized team to do it. Too often, an electrical component is well insulated by the manufacturers against any water intrusions. Thus, through valuable knowledge about the machinery and the assessment of the damage, one can get an idea if it needs to be repaired.

  • Never try plugging the equipment

Water has electrical properties. When it seeps inside an electrical component, it floods all the circuits therein. If the component is running when it experiences water seepage, then it can result in short circuits. Alternatively speaking, if equipment is turned on after it has received water seepage, then it can still cause short circuits. Either way, the machinery is damaged, and thus, whether equipment is on or off before the flood, you should never plug them into the electrical socket to see if they are working.

  • Leave the equipment for drying

As we said before, you should never plug in the manufacturing equipment in electricity socket. What you should do is let them get dried. Nobody should be allowed to get near to it unless some decision is reached on whether the equipment should be completely removed or its individual parts are taken out for refurbishing.

  • Hire refurbishing professionals

What we talked about in the above paragraphs are main considerations on the part of the owner and the operators of the manufacturing equipment. However, when it comes to repairing the equipment after flooding, proper refurbishing professionals should be hired.

These professionals know the working of equipment and also the makeup of its complex circuits. They can guide you better regarding whether the components should be completely renewed or repaired.

Refurbished electrical components can work just like they used to when they weren’t damaged. Some people have a fear in their hearts regarding these reconditioned electrical components. However, they should know that the repairers are there to bring a damage component to life without compromising its workability.

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com/assetmanagement.php.  To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists call 877.844.5514 today.

 

Human Serum Difference in Biological Research

Innovations are happening all around us and the progressive track of technology has enabled us to do so much that were previously considered impossible. From voice assistance to machines that can make decisions on their own, we’ve come a very long way. In the same manner, the innovations in biological sciences has boosted significantly. With better equipment and latest technologies, scientists have been able to unearth minute details of the human body, recreate tissues and synthetic materials. One such significant success in the biological sciences sector has been the extraction of human serum.

Where is Human Serum Used?

Human serum is widely used for various reasons from medical purposes to scientific research. It a useful fluid obtained from human blood after applying certain method of extraction, with useful properties beneficial most significantly in biological research.

The human serum is extracted from blood plasma after a factor fibrinogen and other similar clotting factors have been removed from it. This serum is most commonly used while researching immunity of human body and devising medicines and supplements that can boost the immune system. Another use of human serum includes usage in cell culture media, that is, synthetically growing cells and studying bacteria growth and resistance to medicines. Human Serum is more effective and provides a more feasible environment for cell growth in contrast to animal serum. A more particular usage is while working with immune cells like lymphocytes and macrophages.

Human serum can be extracted from individuals or pooled donors of serum which can be classified on the basis of sex, age and disease states, based on the requirement of your research.

Types of Human Serum:

There are different kinds of serums which differ in nature based on the use. For instance, off-the-clot serum is extracted from blood which has been left to clot spontaneously after the process of centrifugation. Note that, this doesn’t contain anticoagulants.

Another type of serum, known as type AB serum is used while studying immunoactivity. The reason for so is that it doesn’t contain in itself any interfering anti-A or anti-B antibodies that skew the observations of the experiments performed.

Complement human serum involves proteins which get activated on sequential basis when the antibodies in the blood get the chance to interact with the respective antigens. These proteins degrade very quickly if the storage and preparation methods are inadequate. To ensure optimal quality of the serum, it should be collected fresh and stored in cold temperatures.

Proper Care and Storage

We take special care in preparation and storage of human serums, because we understand how important it is for biological research. Accuracy of your research depends on the quality of the product and we ensure that we deliver the best. For more information and queries regarding our products, feel free to get in touch with us through email or our hotline number.

Learn more about Innovative Research and our high quality research materials including human, plant, and animal biological, ELISA & Assay Kits, proteins, antibodies, cell cultures, blood, serum, plasma, and more.  More information can be found at https://www.innov-research.com/ or by calling 248.896.0145.