Abstract: A lancet device including a lancet having a puncturing element disposed within a two-piece housing including a rear housing and a forward housing. Relative axial movement of the rear housing toward the forward housing directly drives the lancet to a puncturing position wherein the puncturing element extends through the forward housing. During such relative axial movement, a drive structure applies a driving force against the lancet and disengages from the lancet based on deflecting structure in the housing, thereby releasing the driving force applied to the lancet. A retention member then retracts the lancet back within the housing, with the drive structure maintained disengaged from the lancet to prevent re-use.

Abstract: A hand-held device (10) useful for dispensing a liquid material includes a housing (11) containing the material to be dispensed and having a dispensing nozzle (12) and a resettable ratchet (13, 50) operatively connected to a biased piston (30). The ratchet mechanism (13, 50) including a release lever (13) normally preventing movement of the piston (30) until released. When the lever (13) is released the piston (30) is biased toward the dispensing nozzle (12), such that an amount of the material is urged to flow toward the nozzle (12). The housing (11) is configured to be pen-like.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a shaving aid material, a razor cartridge having at least one razor blade, and a valve selectively actuatable by movement of the razor cartridge between a first position and a second position. In the first position the valve permits passage of a shaving aid material from the reservoir, and in the second position the valve substantially prevents the passage of the shaving aid material from the reservoir.

Abstract: A cryosurgery device for dispensing a liquid refrigerant from a container having a valve stem extending outwardly therefrom. The device includes an actuator adapted to seat on the valve stem of the container in order to depress the valve stem to release the refrigerant from the container. The actuator includes an inner passageway having opposed ends disposed therein, one of the ends of the passageway being in fluid communication with the valve stem. An applicator tube is mounted to the actuator at the other end of the inner passageway. A cap is disposed on the top of the container. The actuator is movably positioned on the cap and a shield is attached to the cap to completely receiving the applicator tube. Liquid refrigerant can only be dispensed when the actuator is positioned properly and the applicator tube is disposed within the shield means.

Abstract: A cable lock device includes a housing, a tampering subsystem, and a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem and the second end is selectively attached to the housing. In addition, a switch is disposed within the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem. The switch is movable between an open state and a closed state to indicate when the second end is attached to the housing. The tampering subsystem includes control circuitry that monitors the position of the switch and the status of the cable to detect removal of the second end from the housing and/or severance of the cable. The control circuitry relays status information of the cable lock device to a control unit via a transmitter to alert a property owner of a security breach.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided that includes a reservoir, a support carriage, a razor cartridge, and a handle. The reservoir, which is operable to contain a non-solid shaving aid material, includes a selectively collapsible side wall surrounding an interior cavity having a volume. The support carriage includes a guide member and an applicator panel. The applicator panel includes one or more ports in fluid communication with the reservoir. One end of the reservoir is attached to the support carriage, and the other end of the reservoir is attached to the handle. The razor cartridge is mounted on the support carriage adjacent the applicator panel. The support carriage is movable relative to the handle in a manner that enables the reservoir side wall to collapse to decrease the volume of the reservoir, and thereby transfer shaving aid material from the reservoir to the one or more ports.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaving apparatus includes a flexible bladder, a housing, and a handle. The handle includes an interior cavity, an exterior grip portion, and an actuator. The flexible bladder has a width and is operable to store flowable shaving aid material. The flexible bladder is at least partially disposed within the interior cavity of the handle. The housing includes at least one port that is in fluid communication with the contents of the flexible bladder.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus includes a razor blade, a reservoir for containing a non-solid shaving aid material, at least one conduit extending between the reservoir and one or more ports, and a pump in fluid communication with one or both of the reservoir and the conduit. Movement of the razor blade actuates the pump, and the pump transfers shaving aid material from the reservoir to the one or more ports.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided that includes a reservoir, a support carriage, a razor cartridge, and a handle. The reservoir, which is operable to contain a non-solid shaving aid material, includes a selectively collapsible side wall surrounding an interior cavity having a volume. The support carriage includes a guide member and an applicator panel. The applicator panel includes one or more ports in fluid communication with the reservoir. One end of the reservoir is attached to the support carriage, and the other end of the reservoir is attached to the handle. The razor cartridge is mounted on the support carriage adjacent the applicator panel. The support carriage is movable relative to the handle in a manner that enables the reservoir side wall to collapse to decrease the volume of the reservoir, and thereby transfer shaving aid material from the reservoir to the one or more ports.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a shaving aid material, a razor cartridge having at least one razor blade, and a valve selectively actuatable by movement of the razor cartridge between a first position and a second position. In the first position the valve permits passage of a shaving aid material from the reservoir, and in the second position the valve substantially prevents the passage of the shaving aid material from the reservoir.

Abstract: An ergonomic wrench for rotating a member in a torquing plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the member is provided, having a head portion for engaging the member and a handle extending therefrom in a first longitudinal direction. The invention further includes a handle which is substantially elliptical, having a major axis and a minor axis when viewed in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, the major axis of which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the torquing plane.

Abstract: A self-securing handle for a tool having a longitudinally extending main body portion, is provided. The handle includes an elongate body having a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end, and a central cavity extending from the first end to the second end thereof. The handle further includes a securing mechanism positioned within the central cavity proximate the second end of the handle. The handle receives the tool main body portion within the central cavity, and the securing mechanism mates with a receiving structure on the tool main body portion to secure the handle to the tool main body portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new surgical fasteners and methods of using the surgical fasteners. The surgical fasteners of the invention are in the form of tacks and comprise generally an elongate rod, a sharp conical head, a tail, and a transverse locking member extending from the tail above the plane of the rod. The fasteners are inserted into a bodily cavity for tissue and membrane fixation and approximation by the use of tack applicators. The tack applicators of the invention generally comprise an elongate handle, a loading tip and a carrier assembly that is removably inserted into the loading tip. The tacks are inserted and locked into the carrier assembly from which they may be disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a plunger provided for use in a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an internal chamber with an outwardly tapered portion at one end thereof. The plunger includes a plurality of outwardly curved prongs or legs which mate with an inwardly tapered portion of the internal chamber in order to allow the piston of the injector to be released from the plunger. As a result, the plunger may be removed from the injector when the nozzle assembly is removed therefrom. This plunger may include a frangible portion so that, upon firing, a first driving member of the plunger breaks away from a second driving member of the plunger. As a result of this frangible connection, the first driving member remains lodged in a distal portion of the chamber to prevent reuse of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a locking mechanism for aiding in the prevention of accidental or unintentional disengagement of the nozzle assembly from a needleless injection device. In one embodiment of the locking mechanism, a stud positioned on the nozzle assembly engages a recess in the injector to help to deter the nozzle assembly from rotating during firing of the injector. In another embodiment of the locking mechanism, a nib on the nozzle assembly engages a recess in the injector to deter the nozzle assembly from rotating during firing of the injector. A retaining element may be utilized within the injector to provide the recesses for engagement with the locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for aiding in the prevention of accidental or unintentional discharge of a needleless injection device having a power unit, a housing, a plunger disposed within the housing, a trigger assembly, and a nozzle. The safety mechanism includes a locking member which is disposed at least partially on the exterior of the housing. The locking member works in concert with the triggering assembly to the prevent movement thereof, thereby preventing activation of the power unit to eject fluids through the nozzle. The locking member also works in concert with an interlocking sleeve which prevents activation of the injector when the nozzle is removed therefrom. The safety mechanism also includes a feature for automatically returning the locking member to a locked position after activation.

Abstract: A plunger/ram assembly adapted for a hypodermic fluid injector having a nozzle body defining a fluid chamber and an orifice communicating with the chamber. The plunger/ram assembly comprises a plunger adapted to be movably positioned in the chamber and a ram assembly. The ram assembly is operatively connected to the plunger for drawing fluid into and expelling fluid out the chamber through the orifice. The ram assembly includes first and second driving members spaced apart by a preselected free travel distance and a resilient biasing member having a preselected preload. The resilient biasing member is operatively disposed for maintaining the free travel distance when the preload is greater than a force applied to the first driving member. The maximum fluid pressure generated by the plunger/ram assembly is controlled by a free travel distance or gap existing between first and second driving members before the injector is fired.

Abstract: An injector nozzle which has a body defining a chamber. A portion of the body has an orifice which communicates with the chamber for allowing fluid to enter into or exit from the chamber. The nozzle body includes at least one depression which is configured and dimensioned to cooperatively engage a tab member of an associated component for coupling thereto. The depression is also configured and dimensioned to positively lock the body to the associated component. The body portion which contains the depression is spaced proximally from the orifice. Also, an adapter for coupling the nozzle to a fluid container. The adapter includes a tubular member having first and second ends and a wall therebetween. The wall includes a passageway therethrough with the first end being dimensioned and configured to cooperatively engage the nozzle. The orifice of the nozzle generally aligns with the wall passageway for fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly adapted for a fluid injector having a ram, includes a plunger assembly having first and second driving members. The first and second driving members are apart according to a predetermined first distance. The second driving member is spaced apart from the ram according to a predetermined second distance. The first and second distances are resiliently maintained by a resilient spring member operatively disposed between the two driving members. One of the first and second distances is selected to be the smallest and thereby controls the maximum pressure at which fluid is expelled from the nozzle assembly.