Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

Abstract: A device for selectively protecting a needle includes an adapter holding the needle and a guard engaging the adapter for relative movement therebetween. Further, the device includes a means for guiding movement between the adapter and the guard. Structurally, the guiding means includes a “V” shaped slot in the guard and a radially-extending boss on the adapter. The boss is received in the slot to limit relative movement between the guard and the adapter. Specifically, in a first position of the device, the boss is in a first leg of the slot and the needle partially extends beyond the guard. In a second position, the boss is held at the apex of the slot and the needle fully extends beyond the guard. In a third position, the boss is in the second leg of the slot and the needle is retracted into the guard to protect the needle.

Abstract: A device for selectively protecting a needle includes an adapter holding the needle and a guard engaging the adapter for relative movement therebetween. Further, the device includes a means for guiding movement between the adapter and the guard. Structurally, the guiding means includes a “V” shaped slot in the guard and a radially-extending boss on the adapter. The boss is received in the slot to limit relative movement between the guard and the adapter. Specifically, in a first position of the device, the boss is in a first leg of the slot and the needle partially extends beyond the guard. In a second position, the boss is held at the apex of the slot and the needle fully extends beyond the guard. In a third position, the boss is in the second leg of the slot and the needle is retracted into the guard to protect the needle.

Abstract: A device for selectively protecting a needle includes an adapter holding the needle and a guard engaging the adapter for relative movement therebetween. Further, the device includes a means for guiding movement between the adapter and the guard. Structurally, the guiding means includes a “V” shaped slot in the guard and a radially-extending boss on the adapter. The boss is received in the slot to limit relative movement between the guard and the adapter. Specifically, in a first position of the device, the boss is in a first leg of the slot and the needle partially extends beyond the guard. In a second position, the boss is held at the apex of the slot and the needle fully extends beyond the guard. In a third position, the boss is in the second leg of the slot and the needle is retracted into the guard to protect the needle.

Abstract: The invention provides devices to prevent re-use of an ultrasound applicator.

Abstract: A compact and efficient spice grinder having a centrally disposed post configured for engaging a spice seed in the grinding chamber. The spice seed is initially “fractured” by a “pestle-like” seed fracturing structuring at the top of the post. When a user thereafter rotates the dome-like cover of the grinder with respect to the base, spice fragments are grated against interior blades positioned along the sidewall of the chamber adapter/extender. A dome cover is gradually lowered by a user as the spice in the grinding chamber becomes depleted. The grinder is lightweight and may be attached conveniently to a key ring or to a chain and carried as a novelty item.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a squeezable insulated water bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle has an outer shell of cylindrical shape with an opening at one end and a closed second end with an indented center shell portion dividing top and bottom shell portions, a layer of insulation material positioned about the inner surface of the top and bottom outer shell portions, and an inner liner of cylindrical shape having a neck opening. The outer shell, the inner liner, and the insulation layer are all made from flexible materials which allow the bottle to be insulated yet squeezable.

Abstract: An automatic control system for operating an electrically actuated device, such as a windshield wiper, power window, sun roof or convertible top of a motor vehicle, in response to the presence of water moisture. The control system includes a moisture sensor having a plurality of spaced apart, exposed conductive strips, the strips being arranged in adjacent pairs; a voltage source coupled to one strip of each pair; a current detector coupled to the other strip of each pair to discriminate between the presence or absence of moisture droplets on each pair; a drop accumulation detector, coupled to the current detector, for determining the number of pairs of sensor strips which are contacted by moisture droplets; and an electrical switch, coupled to the droplet detector, for switching on the electrical device in response to the number of droplets present on the moisture sensor.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for sensing ambient moisture in the vicinity of a window having a window wiper. The sensor comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive strips having an exposed surface. The electrical resistance between adjacent strips is dependent on the ambient moisture. The sensor also includes means for repetitively removing the moisture from the exposed surface and in the region between the strips. The conductive strips are located at a position other than in the area of sweep of the window wiper on the window and at least one of the removing means and the plurality of conductive strips is coupled to the window wiper, whereby the at least one of the removing means and the plurality of conductive strips is actuated by the window wiper and operates in synchronism therewith.

Abstract: A device for infusing a drug into an ambulatory patient, the drug being contained in a transparent spiral conduit which is embedded in a disposable flexible casting conformingly adhered to the patient's body, includes a reusable micropump module which is detachably mounted in a collar valve on the casting and forces oxygen into the conduit under pressure to expel the drug into a semi-pivoting cannula inserted into the patient's body. A colored oil drop between the oxygen and the drug in the conduit provides a visual indication of drug quantity, while a filter with hydrophobic and hydrophylic membranes keeps the oxygen and oil substantially out of the cannula.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic wiper control circuit for operating window wipers automatically when moisture is sensed. The control circuit additionally provides for increasing the speed of a dual speed wiper motor when a high level of moisture is detected. The system comprises a moisture sensor which senses moisture thereon. A circuit associated with the moisture sensor converts the moisture level to DC voltage. At a preselected level of this DC voltage the wiper motor operates in one of its two different speeds. A lack of a predetermined amount of moisture terminates the wiper motor operation. If the control circuit terminates the wiper motor action during wiper sweep, the normal homing circuit of the wiper motor continues to operate the motor until the wiper blade or blades reach the wiper blade home position. Sequential illumination of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) occur during a wiping cycle when the circuit is operating normally.