Abstract: A system for manufacturing self-retaining suture includes means for supporting the suture during cutting of retainers which protrude from the suture at multiple angles. The system includes an anvil having a channel configured to support a suture during cutting of a retainer at a first angular position while providing for non-interference between the anvil and retainers previously cut on the suture at one or more angular positions different than the first angular position. In embodiments the channel is provided with notches which receive previously-formed retainers during creation of subsequent retainers. The system thereby provides for rotating the suture and supporting the suture with the anvil without interference with previously-formed retainers.

Abstract: An automated method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The suture is mounted to a support. A power-operated cutting arm moves a cutting device through the suture along a preselected path and at a preselected angle to create a tissue retainer having a desired shape and size. The suture is indexed relative to the cutting device. The operation of the cutting arm in conjunction with the geometry of the cutting device and linear advancement of the suture thread allows for creating a plurality of tissue-retainers having a desired geometry along the length of the suture thread.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. A cutting bed supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a selected path. The angle of the cutting device is changed during cutting. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing self-retaining suture is disclosed. The method provides for creating and supporting a suture during cutting of tissue-grasping elements at different angular positions. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a path which can include longitudinal, transverse, oscillating and depth components to create a desired tissue-grasping element on the surface of the suture. The path of the cutting device and the rotation of the suture relative to the cutting device are controlled so that a plurality of angularly-displaced tissue-grasping elements can be created on the suture.

Abstract: A breath actuated nasal drug delivery device includes a housing having a spray port; a reservoir housing a liquidous medicament; and a selectively actuable pump. A breath actuated triggering mechanism includes a mouthpiece and a diaphragm. A pressure differential across the diaphragm causes an elastically deformable drive element (e.g., spring) to release stored potential energy, causing the pump's plunger to move to thereby pump the medicament to the spray port. A cocking lever can be pivotally mounted to the housing for causing the drive element to store potential energy. The triggering mechanism can include a cam element pivotally attached to the housing and the diaphragm that rotates in response to movement of the diaphragm. A follower element can be pivotally connected to the plunger for movement therewith; the follower element releasably engages the cam element. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A nasal drug delivery device includes a pump that supplies drug containing fluid to a spray port. The pump is actuated by the user pressing on an externally accessible actuator. The actuation force from the user can be transmitted to the pump in a controlled fashion such that the pump sees a more consistent actuation force. Additionally or alternatively, the forward direction of the device's housing and/or the direction of actuator motion can be oriented with respect to the device's direction of spray so that the device can be conveniently held by a user for optimum results.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting barbs into a suture having a filament supply. The apparatus also has an in-feed collet for holding one end of a filament threaded therethrough. Further the apparatus has an out-feed collet for holding a second end of a filament threaded therethrough. Additionally, the apparatus has a holder positioned between said in-feed and out-feed collets for holding a filament suspended between the in-feed and out-feed collets. The apparatus also has a cutting assembly for cutting barbs in the filament tensioned between the in-feed and out-feed collets.

Abstract: A nasal drug delivery device includes a pump that supplies drug containing fluid to a spray port. The pump is actuated by the user pressing on an externally accessible actuator. The actuation force from the user can be transmitted to the pump in a controlled fashion such that the pump sees a more consistent actuation force. Additionally or alternatively, the forward direction of the device's housing and/or the direction of actuator motion can be oriented with respect to the device's direction of spray so that the device can be conveniently held by a user for optimum results.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed suture by varying the blade geometry and/or the movement of the blade when cutting a suture is disclosed. The method can also be accomplished with a cutting device to create a plurality of barbs on the exterior of surgical suture. The barbs produced using the method with the cutting device can be the same or random configurations.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed suture by varying the blade geometry and/or the movement of the blade when cutting a suture. The method can also be accomplished with a cutting device to create a plurality of barbs on the exterior of surgical suture. The barbs produced using the method with the cutting device can be the same or random configurations.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed suture by varying the blade geometry and/or the movement of the blade when cutting a suture is disclosed. The method can also be accomplished with a cutting device to create a plurality of barbs on the exterior of surgical suture. The barbs produced using the method with the cutting device can be the same or random configurations.

Abstract: A pressure swirl atomizer for providing a low-plume aerosolized spray of liquids, solutions or other suspension which includes a swirl chamber which create shear forces which causes the spray to aerosolize.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler pump for delivering a metered dose of an active compound from an active compound inlet through a spray outlet without the need of a pressurized active compound container. Reciprocating action of an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a plunger alternately draw a metered dose of the active compound from an active compound container into an active compound chamber and pressurize the drawn metered dose of the active compound to eject the metered dose through the spray outlet. The plunger substantially fills and evacuates the metered dose chamber, leaving no void head space therein.

Abstract: A water distribution system protects against water leaks by shutting off the water if a pre-determined flow is detected for more than a set period of time. The time may be changed to any value between one minute and four or more hours. When the pre-determined flow continues past the set time, the main shut off will activate for two seconds, closing the system.

Abstract: An exercise machine is particularly adapted for use by handicapped persons or other physically limited persons. The exercise machine includes a plurality of exercise mechanisms operable from a single station so that the handicapped person does not have to move between different stations. The plurality of exercise mechanisms are operatively connected to a single brake mechanism to that each exercise mechanism can be independently manipulated. One of the exercise mechanisms includes an overhead bar assembly which is operable as a bench press or as an overhead press.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for cutting drawings from a web that has emerged from a computer controlled graphics plotter. The apparatus includes a support for holding the spool of paper from the plotter and a drive means for pulling the paper through the apparatus. Photocells serve as sensors for detecting the presence of the four borders of each drawing. In response to signals generated by the photocells, the transverse borders are cut by a rotary scissor during pauses in the advance of the web. The side or "longitudinal" borders of each drawing are cut by a pair of knives that pierce the paper and cut the borders as the web is being advanced through the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention entails a finger protector adapted to be secured to the backside of a baseball glove for receiving the normally exposed finger of the glove hand. In particular, the finger protector of the present invention is designed to be secured adjacent a finger opening formed in the back side of the glove through which the player's index finger extends. The finger protector of the present invention includes a relatively hard outer housing and internal padding material and wherein the housing and internal padding material form a finger receiving area that protects the player's finger when the finger is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning upholstery which involves minimal risk of dye bleeding and which is reasonably effective. The invention uses a hand-held applicator and a remote unit. A jet nozzle on the hand-held applicator sprays cleaning solution onto the upholstery. Secured adjacent to the jet nozzle is a brush which imparts mechanical energy to the upholstery and aids in cleaning. Disposed above the brush is a vacuum head that removes the cleaning solution from the upholstery. Air is induced into the vacuum head by a blower secured within the remote unit. The air effectively lifts the cleaning solution from the upholstery and carries the cleaning solution into the vacuum head. Once inside the vacuum head, the combined mixture of air and cleaning solution is directed through a hose into a recovery tank secured within the remote unit where the air and cleaning solution are separated.

Abstract: The present invention entails a method and apparatus for cleaning and maintaining large areas of low to medium pile carpet, such as is found in hotels, airports, etc. The invention employs a mobile carpet cleaning machine which is propelled over the carpet to be cleaned. The principal features of the carpet cleaning machine are an elongated cylindrical brush, a vacuum system with a floating vacuum head, and a blower. In operation the cylindrical brush is set into a rotating motion and engages the underlying carpet. A cleaning solution is sprayed onto the rotating brush which in turn transfers the solution onto the underlying carpet. The vacuum head then passes over the carpet directly behind the rotating brush. The blower pulls air through the vacuum head and the vacuum head effectively picks up a combined mixture of air and solution. This mixture of air and solution is pulled upwardly from the vacuum head into the top of a recovery tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning solution dispenser attachment for a rotary floor cleaning machine that is adapted to dispense cleaning solution on demand as the floor cleaning machine is moved over an area. Cleaning solution dispenser attachment is designed to be detachably secured to various size motor housings of a rotary floor cleaning machine, and can be rotatively adjusted thereon such that a dispenser arm or jet tube that extends outwardly therefrom can be positioned at various locations around the motor housing.