Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.

Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.

Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: A tissue fastener includes a bridge section and two cannulated leg sections. The tissue fastener is a single piece of material, and the material can be a bioabsorbable material. Each of the two leg sections can include at least one barb for resisting dislodgement from tissue after the fastener is inserted into tissue. The bridge can be flexible, and the leg sections can receive needles to allow insertion of the fastener into tissue from above a surface of the tissue. Various insertion devices and mechanisms are possible to deploy the fastener into a wound in a patient's skin from above the surface of and generally perpendicular to the skin.

Abstract: A mechanism for deploying a fastener into skin tissue comprises a first foot, a second foot, and an insertion device. The first foot is configured to contact an external surface of the skin tissue on one side of an incision or wound. The second foot is configured to contact the external skin surface on the other side of the incision/wound. The first and second feet are spaced apart by a gap, and each is configured to allow the skin tissue from one side of the incision or wound to be retracted thereover at an acute angle to expose an inner surface of each of the sides of the incision or wound. The insertion device releasably holds the fastener and is movable to deploy the fastener into the exposed inner surfaces from above and generally perpendicular to the external skin surface.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutching mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism also prevents the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutch mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism can prevent the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: A tissue fastener includes a bridge section and two cannulated leg sections. The tissue fastener is a single piece of material, and the material can be a bioabsorbable material. Each of the two leg sections can include at least one barb for resisting dislodgement from tissue after the fastener is inserted into tissue. The bridge can be flexible, and the leg sections can receive needles to allow insertion of the fastener into tissue from above a surface of the tissue. Various insertion devices and mechanisms are possible to deploy the fastener into a wound in a patient's skin from above the surface of and generally perpendicular to the skin.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutch mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism can prevent the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutching mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism also prevents the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber. A baffle is affixed to the distal end of a shaft, which is moved between a first and second position.

Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber. A baffle is affixed to the distal end of a shaft, which is moved between a first and second position.