Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. An optional suture receiver may be disposed adjacent to the opposite jaw. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The needle may also be configured to retrieve a suture. A retaining mechanism holds a suture in place to be engaged by the needle. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. An optional suture receiver may be disposed adjacent to the opposite jaw. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The needle may also be configured to retrieve a suture. A retaining mechanism holds a suture in place to be engaged by the needle. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot.

Abstract: An emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a reservoir containing an eyewash fluid and a mechanism for dispensing the eyewash fluid from the reservoir to wash an injured person's eyes. An expandable container is configured and arranged to collect used eyewash fluid after the eyewash fluid has been dispensed to wash the injured person's eyes. The station can be further enhanced by equipping the expandable container with a pair of straps configured to compress the reservoir thereby providing a gravity assist to dispensing eyewash fluid.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for an emergency eyewash station and method of retrofitting a plumbed emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The kit includes a sterile eyewash fluid source. A pump assembly having an input port and an output port is also included. The input port is configured to connect to a dispensing structure of a plumbed eyewash station and the output port is configured to connect to the sterile eyewash fluid source. A drive assembly is configured to drive the pump assembly to draw sterile eyewash fluid from the sterile eyewash fluid source and discharge it through the dispensing structure of the plumbed eyewash station. The eyewash fluid discharged from the dispensing structure is configured to drain through a discharge of the plumbed eyewash station and away from the plumbed eyewash station.

Abstract: A cartridge for an emergency eyewash stations is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a housing having a front section and a back section that couple together. The front section has a surface defining an opening into the housing. A sealed, fluid-containing bladder having a dispensing port is contained within the housing. A bracket is configured and arranged to couple to the opening on the front section of the housing such that the dispensing port is captured in a fixed position between the bracket and the surface on the front section defining the opening.

Abstract: An emergency eyewash station and dispensing structure therefore is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a main body configured and arranged to hold and dispense eyewash fluid therefrom, an actuator arm assembly movable from a closed position to an open position, and a dispensing structure having an eyepiece sealed by a membrane. The eyepiece is in fluid connection with the eyewash fluid contained in the main body. The dispensing structure is removably coupled to the actuator arm assembly such that when the actuator arm assembly is moved from the closed position to the open position, the membrane is unsealed and the eyewash fluid dispenses from the eyepiece.

Abstract: A pump assembly for an emergency eyewash station and method of retrofitting a plumbed emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The pump is configured into two parts, an impeller assembly and a drive assembly, that are configured to couple together. The impeller assembly is isolated from the drive assembly and can be easily replaced to ensure a sterile fluid path is maintained for the eyewash fluid. The drive assembly can be fluid powered or an electric motor as desired. The present invention allows a plumbed eyewash station to be retrofitted to use a sterile eyewash fluid. The present invention can also be used in portable eyewash station units too.

Abstract: A vented closure is provided for use on a liquid container. The body of the closure (16) includes a dispensing port and a vent (28) extending therethrough with the vent adjacent the dispensing port (26). The tube (32) extends through the dispensing port (26) and has a flange (38) extending laterally therefrom, engaging the outer surface (20) of the closure body. A flexible seal (40) member is positioned on the tube (32), spaced from the inner surface (28) and having a frusto-conical shape where the inner end (40a) of the member is formed at the tube (32). The outer end (40b) is spaced away from the tube (32) and engages the inner surface (28) of the closure body (16), forming a hollow area (41) between the member (40) and the tube (32). The flexible seal member (40) is movable radially away from the tube (32) and away from the inner surface (28) to the inflow of air through the vent and over the flexible seal member (40).

Abstract: A hearing instrument may include an enclosure adapted for behind-the-ear placement that houses a microphone for converting an acoustical input signal to an electrical signal and a sound processing circuit for processing the electrical signal; an earpiece adapted for in-the-canal placement that includes a receiver for converting the processed electrical signal to an acoustical output signal; a replaceable battery housed in the enclosure for powering the microphone, sound processing circuit and receiver; and an electrical cable extending from the enclosure that electrically couples the processed electrical signal from the sound processing circuit to the receiver. The enclosure includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion pivot about a hinge point at one end of the enclosure to open and closed positions. In the open position, the battery is accessible for replacement.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for an emergency eyewash station and method of retrofitting a plumbed emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The kit includes a sterile eyewash fluid source. A pump assembly having an input port and an output port is also included. The input port is configured to connect to a dispensing structure of a plumbed eyewash station and the output port is configured to connect to the sterile eyewash fluid source. A drive assembly is configured to drive the pump assembly to draw sterile eyewash fluid from the sterile eyewash fluid source and discharge it through the dispensing structure of the plumbed eyewash station. The eyewash fluid discharged from the dispensing structure is configured to drain through a discharge of the plumbed eyewash station and away from the plumbed eyewash station.

Abstract: A binder mechanism includes a rotatable support having ring segments that can be locked in a closed configuration. The binder mechanism includes a horizontal and/or a flush mounted push button that opens and/or unlocks the rotatable support. The push button acts on a ramped slider that causes the rotatable support to rotate open. An over-center arrangement aids in maintaining the binder mechanism closed or opened.

Abstract: A timer and alert module for an emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The module includes a housing; a control circuit having a timing cycle contained within the housing; a speaker electrically connected to the control circuit; a switch configured and arranged to disable the control circuit; and a sensor configured and arranged to trigger the control circuit to start the timing cycle. The control circuit selectively activates the speaker periodically during the timing cycle.

Abstract: An emergency eyewash station and dispensing structure therefore is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a main body configured and arranged to hold and dispense eyewash fluid therefrom, an actuator arm assembly movable from a closed position to an open position, and a dispensing structure having an eyepiece sealed by a membrane. The eyepiece is in fluid connection with the eyewash fluid contained in the main body. The dispensing structure is removably coupled to the actuator arm assembly such that when the actuator arm assembly is moved from the closed position to the open position, the membrane is unsealed and the eyewash fluid dispenses from the eyepiece.

Abstract: “Plug-in” fluid flow diverters are disclosed. Additionally disclosed is water purification equipment adapted to communicate with the diverters. Such equipment is especially (although not solely) useful in connection with circulating streams of water present in systems associated with swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, as the circulating nature of the water permits more of its volume ultimately to be diverted into the equipment for purification. The diverters, furthermore, may have entrances oriented to receive fluid travelling in only one direction through a conduit and be keyed to one or more components of the equipment for purposes of identification, inventory control, or otherwise.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool including a plurality of tools useful to have available in an automobile, such as a flashlight, a tire pressure gauge, a scraper, and a fuse puller. The scraper preferably is pivotably mounted to a handle of the multi-purpose tool in a manner which permits the scraper to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the tool handles to permit scraping force to be applied to the scraper in an efficient manner. The multi-purpose tool preferably also includes a tool with pivotable jaws, such as a pair of foldable pliers, as well as a variety of pivotably mounted tools such as a cutting blade, a screwdriver, and a cap lifter. The tool preferably has two handles, each handle having storage channels for the tools coupled thereto. The tool jaws are pivotably mounted to the handles for selective movement between a storage position in the handles and a working position in which the jaws work together.

Abstract: A multiple function combination tool combines a plurality of implements in a single compact and reduced configuration for many diverse needs. An overmold is provided over at least a portion of at least one of the scales (gripping sides) of the tool. The overmold imparts to such scale different properties from those provided by the scale, such as enhanced tactile comfort, a softer feel, higher coefficient of friction (anti-slip), and/or greater aesthetic appeal.