Abstract: Fluid delivery devices for delivering therapeutic agents are described. More particularly, this disclosure relates to drug reconstitution devices having a plurality of components movable with respect to one another such that an active agent and a solvent can be reconstituted within the device prior to injection. The fluid delivery devices can include a housing, a cartridge holder, a cartridge disposed within the cartridge holder, a button rod, and a foot. The cartridge stores the active agent and the solvent, which are separated by one or more stoppers. The button rod and foot can provide an axial force upon the stopper(s) in the cartridge to inject the fluid once reconstituted. The foot and the button rod can be separate components, thereby enabling the foot to rotate independently with respect to the button rod as the cartridge holder is rotated to reconstitute the therapeutic and prime the device for injection.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus including a plurality of laser beams for cutting vegetation. The apparatus comprises a housing including side walls being extended generally perpendicular to form a downwardly oriented opening. An electrically powered laser cutting device is positioned centrally within the housing. A transport device is connectable to the housing to provide movement of the housing and laser cutting device along a surface covered by vegetation. The laser cutting device generates at least one laser beam that is directed downward underneath the housing.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources and gives the user control over selection of incoming sources and selective processing of sound.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus including a plurality of laser beams for cutting vegetation. The apparatus comprises a housing including an electrically powered laser cutting device which is positioned centrally within the housing. The laser cutting device generates at least one laser beam that is directed outwards from the housing wherein the laser is absorbed by a plate attached to a metal guide at the end of the effective cutting length of the laser.

Abstract: A bed warming system for heating the envelop formed between the surface of a bed sheet covering a bed mattress and a cover laying over the bed sheet. The bed warming system comprises a warm air generator having a cool air inlet, a warm air outlet, and an elongated conduit having a first end connected to the cool air inlet for directing cool air to the warm air generator and a second end for receiving cooling air, the elongated conduit is of sufficient length such that when the warm air generator is placed under a cover the second end of the elongated conduit is exposed and not under the cover.

Abstract: An on-line respirometer for measuring oxygen uptake by wastewater samples, plants, or animals due to respiration. A closed reaction vessel is adapted to receive and expel wastewater samples or the like. The vessel contains oxygen-sensing probes that constantly evaluate the concentration of oxygen either in the headspace of the vessel or in the samples contained in the slurry within the vessel. The oxygen that is consumed during the respiration of the test samples is immediately replaced by concurrent oxygen injection to maintain a constant oxygen concentration in the reaction vessel. This rapid oxygen replacement is accomplished through an oxygen feedback supply circuit that restores oxygen concentration to its original level in a matter of seconds. The respirometer uses a constant air flow system that allows for the precise oxygen level control. Direct measurement of the oxygen injected for equilibrium control is equated to the uptake.

Abstract: A biological reactor including a settler assembly for reducing loss of biological material during high-turbulence treatment of liquid in the biological reactor. The settler assembly is comprised of plates, tubes, or other porous materials placed between a system of baffles and a collection trough. The settler assembly reduces turbulence near the overflow weir edge of the collection trough, thereby reducing biological material carry over with the treated liquid into the collection trough. The trough baffle settler assembly will allow higher treatment rates with the same or lower losses of biological material than experienced with previous trough-baffle designs, thereby reducing costs of construction and operation of biological reactor systems.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a granular media filter, for treating liquid, such as wastewater, including a settler assembly for reducing media loss during high-turbulence washing of media in the granular media filter. The settler assembly is comprised of plates, tubes, or other porous materials placed between a system of baffles and a backwash trough. The settler assembly reduces turbulence near the overflow weir edge of the backwash trough, thereby reducing media carry over with the backwash water into the backwash trough. The trough baffle settler assembly will allow higher backwash rates per backwash with the same or lower media losses than experienced with previous trough-baffle designs, thereby reducing costs of construction and operation of granular media filter systems. The settler assembly is particularly adapted for use with granular media filters employing simultaneous application of air and water to produce a high turbulence backwash.

Abstract: A granular media filter including a settler assembly for reducing media loss during high-turbulence washing of media in the granular media filter. The settler assembly is comprised of plates, tubes, or other porous materials placed between a system of baffles and a conventional backwash trough. The settler assembly reduces turbulence near the overflow weir edge of the backwash trough, thereby reducing media carry over with the backwash water into the backwash trough. The trough baffle settler assembly will allow higher backwash rates per backwash with the same or lower media losses than experienced with previous trough-baffle designs, thereby reducing costs of construction and operation of granular media filter systems. The settler assembly is particularly adapted for use with granular media filters employing simultaneous application of air and water to produce a high turbulence backwash.

Abstract: A traffic control marker includes an elongate flexible arrow member arranged for positioning upon a road surface to direct traffic flow therethrough. The marker provides for a removable forward head relative to the marker for use of the arrow head relative to the marker. A modification of the invention includes suction cup members molded into the bottom wall of the marker body and arrow head, as well as reflector housings mounting reflective lenses projecting rearwardly of the marker head, with a further organization to include the reflector housing positioned medially of speed-bump type boss members that in conjunction with the reflector housing are orthogonally oriented relative to the side walls of the body as a one-piece assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring minute gas flows and/or accumulations wherein a gas flow is bubbled through a defined path in separated form and a sensor is used to detect and count each bubble. The bubble count signal can be used to calculate gas accumulation, or to calculate gas flow rate if made during a defined time period, or to meter the flow of the gas to a point of utilization.

Abstract: A method for anaerobic biological waste treatment in multiple stages wherein a relatively high strength wastewater is introduced into a first biological reactor to produce an effluent of reduced strength, the effluent is passed into a second biological reactor for reaction therein, passage of the effluent into the second biological reactor is continued until the biological solids in the second reactor enter into a negative growth phase and become relatively stable, whereupon the flow of waste through the reactors is reversed by terminating introduction of the waste into the first reactor and passing the same into the second reactor to cause microorganisms in the second reactor to enter into a positive growth phase and the solids in the first reactor to enter into a negative growth phase.

Abstract: Auto loading gas operated firearm capable of handling a variety of ammunition loads having one or more gas relief valves for the initial volume of the gas cylinder of the firearm, the valves having a leaf spring covering the gas apertures to control the flow of gas from the initial volume of the gas cylinder, and a shaped geometric body interposed between the spring and each aperture that interacts with the spring and aperture to form a seal footprint which is a circular line or ring, the spring preferably operating in a plane substantially perpendicular to the recoil axis of the firearm.

Abstract: A method is described in which two or more granular filter media are used in combination in such a manner that the filter bed is backwashed using air and water simultaneously. The media size gradation and density are selected so that, although the media may be mixed during backwash, the media are separated into layers according to their density and/or size following termination of the simultaneous air-water wash and prior to returning the filter to the filtration mode. The simultaneous air-water wash step can be carried out without media loss by use of an appropriate media retaining procedure.