Abstract: Eyeglass assemblies including an eyeglass lens having an engaging portion. Under typical conditions of use, the engaging portion is maintained in contact with an eyeglass frame member by means of a removable bonding member (RBM). Under selected atypical ambient conditions, the RBM changes so that the engaging portion and the frame member can be separated. The engaging portion can extend from the lens, or can be a recess in the lens. The RBM can be a suitable adhesive (RBA), or a component composed of a shape memory metal (RBSMA) or a material which softens when subjected to heat or other atypical condition. The engaging portion can be shaped and treated to reduce stresses therein. Similarly, the open ends of an eyeglass rim can be maintained in contact with each other under typical conditions of use by an RBA or an RBSMA so that the rim is positioned around an eyeglass lens, but can be released under selected atypical ambient conditions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for covering a pool, for example a swimming pool, has an upper component composed of a closed cell polymeric foam and a lower component composed of an open cell polymeric foam. The device can have, or can acquire in use, a convex upper surface which reduces the danger that it will be blown off the pool by wind.

Abstract: Eyeglass assemblies including an eyeglass lens having an engaging portion. Under typical conditions of use, the engaging portion is maintained in contact with an eyeglass frame member by means of a removable bonding member (RBM). Under selected atypical ambient conditions, the RBM changes so that the engaging portion and the frame member can be separated. The engaging portion can extend from the lens, or can be a recess in the lens. The RBM can be a suitable adhesive (RBA), or a component composed of a shape memory metal (RBSMA) or a material which softens when subjected to heat or other atypical condition. The engaging portion can be shaped and treated to reduce stresses therein. Similarly, the open ends of an eyeglass rim can be maintained in contact with each other under typical conditions of use by an RBA or an RBSMA so that the rim is positioned around an eyeglass lens, but can be released under selected atypical ambient conditions.

Abstract: A device for covering a pool, for example a swimming pool, has an upper component composed of a closed cell polymeric foam and a lower component composed of an open cell polymeric foam. The device can have, or can acquire in use, a convex upper surface which reduces the danger that it will be blown off the pool by wind.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly comprising a frame member comprising a tubular terminal portion (2), and eyeglass lens (11) having an engaging portion (112) to which the frame member is fitted, and a composition (219) which (i) provides at least part of an interface between the engaging portion and the frame member and (ii) extends at least part way into a passage (215, 115) which passes from the interface to an exposed face of the frame member or of the lens. The composition can be a UV-cured adhesive which can be weakened by heat so that the assembly can be easily disassembled.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of bands and buckles, such that a band extends from the central body and is received by a buckle component. The band may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of bands and buckles, such that a band extends from the central body and is received by a buckle component. The band may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together. Various band tensioning devices, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Eyeglass assemblies including an eyeglass lens having an engaging portion. Under typical conditions of use, the engaging portion is maintained in contact with an eyeglass frame member by means of a removable bonding member (RBM). Under selected atypical ambient conditions, the RBM changes so that the engaging portion and the frame member can be separated. The engaging portion can extend from the lens, or can be a recess in the lens. The RBM can be a suitable adhesive (RBA), or a component composed of a shape memory metal (RBSMA) or a material which softens when subjected to heat or other atypical condition. The engaging portion can be shaped and treated to reduce stresses therein. Similarly, the open ends of an eyeglass rim can be maintained in contact with each other under typical conditions of use by an RBA or an RBSMA so that the rim is positioned around an eyeglass lens, but can be released under selected atypical ambient conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medicament container and an actuator assembly coupled to a proximal end portion of the medicament container. A distal end portion of the medicament container is configured to be coupled to a needle. A piston is movably disposed within the medicament container such that the medicament container is divided into a first internal portion and a second internal portion, the first internal portion containing a medicament. The actuator assembly has a pressurized fluid container, a regulator and a bias member. The pressurized fluid container is configured to move relative to the medicament container between a first position and a second position. The regulator is configured to fluidically couple the pressurized fluid container and the second internal portion of the medicament container when the pressurized fluid container is in the second position. The bias member is configured to bias the pressurized fluid container in the first position.

Abstract: A medical injector (200) includes a medicament container (210) including a main lumen (214) and a reduced-diameter protrusion (220), a needle assembly (230) coupled to the protrusion (220), and a flow control member (250). The medicament container (210) is configured to contain a medicament, such as, for example, a dermal filler. The flow control member (250) is disposed within the protrusion (220) of the medicament container (210), and includes a flow control lumen (254) configured to control a pressure or a flow of the medicament. Thus, the flow control member (250) reduces decoupling forces applied to the needle assembly (230) by the flow of medicament. Alternatively, the flow control member (250) may move from a first position allowing flow from the main lumen (214) to the needle assembly (230) to a second position blocking flow from the medicament container (210) when the needle assembly (230) decouples from the protrusion (220).

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of bands and buckles, such that a band extends from the central body and is received by a buckle component. The band may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medicament container and an actuator assembly coupled to a proximal end portion of the medicament container. A distal end portion of the medicament container is configured to be coupled to a needle. A piston is movably disposed within the medicament container such that the medicament container is divided into a first internal portion and a second internal portion, the first internal portion containing a medicament. The actuator assembly has a pressurized fluid container, a regulator and a bias member. The pressurized fluid container is configured to move relative to the medicament container between a first position and a second position. The regulator is configured to fluidically couple the pressurized fluid container and the second internal portion of the medicament container when the pressurized fluid container is in the second position. The bias member is configured to bias the pressurized fluid container in the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medicament container and an actuator assembly coupled to a proximal end portion of the medicament container. A distal end portion of the medicament container is configured to be coupled to a needle. A piston is movably disposed within the medicament container such that the medicament container is divided into a first internal portion and a second internal portion, the first internal portion containing a medicament. The actuator assembly has a pressurized fluid container, a regulator and a bias member. The pressurized fluid container is configured to move relative to the medicament container between a first position and a second position. The regulator is configured to fluidically couple the pressurized fluid container and the second internal portion of the medicament container when the pressurized fluid container is in the second position. The bias member is configured to bias the pressurized fluid container in the first position.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a distal end portion of a needle of a medical injector into a skin of a body. An energy source operatively coupled to the medical injector is actuated such that a dermal filler is conveyed from the medical injector into the skin through the distal end portion of the needle. The distal end portion of the needle is moved within the skin during the actuating.

Abstract: Medical injectors are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a medicament container, a needle assembly, a coupler, and a retainer. The medicament container has a distal end and a proximal end and is configured to contain a medicament. The coupler is configured to couple the needle assembly, which includes a needle and a hub, to the distal end of the medicament container. The retainer is configured to be coupled to the needle assembly and the medicament container. The retainer is configured to limit the movement of the needle assembly when the coupler fails to maintain the position of the needle assembly relative to the distal end of the medicament container.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a distal end portion of a needle of a medical injector into a skin of a body. An energy source operatively coupled to the medical injector is actuated such that a dermal filler is conveyed from the medical injector into the skin through the distal end portion of the needle. The distal end portion of the needle is moved within the skin during the actuating.

Abstract: The faceplate of a golf club head includes bars can be individually deflected, without permanent damage, in a direction perpendicular to the impact face when the impact face strikes a golf ball. Each of the bars has a frontwall which extends across the faceplate. When the frontwalls provide the impact face, they can be composed of the same material. Adjacent bars can have sidewalls which are in contact with each other or which are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular member and a spherical piston disposed within a lumen defined by the tubular member. The tubular member includes a distal end portion and a central portion. The distal end portion is configured to be coupled to a needle. At least the central portion of the tubular member is curved. The spherical piston is movably disposed with the lumen such that the lumen is divided into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the lumen configured to contain a medicament.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medicament container and an actuator assembly coupled to a proximal end portion of the medicament container. A distal end portion of the medicament container is configured to be coupled to a needle. A piston is movably disposed within the medicament container such that the medicament container is divided into a first internal portion and a second internal portion, the first internal portion containing a medicament. The actuator assembly has a pressurized fluid container, a regulator and a bias member. The pressurized fluid container is configured to move relative to the medicament container between a first position and a second position. The regulator is configured to fluidically couple the pressurized fluid container and the second internal portion of the medicament container when the pressurized fluid container is in the second position. The bias member is configured to bias the pressurized fluid container in the first position.