Abstract: A cutting element for a retracting needle syringe having a plunger with a cuttable distal end and a spring biased needle held by a cuttable support and a cutting element capable of cutting the cuttable distal end and the cuttable support includes a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end side wall therebetween and a passageway therethrough. The distal end of the body portion includes a cutting edge and a raised distally projecting tapered cutting tooth having distally converging edges. At least one tooth edge includes a sharp side wall for cutting the distal end of the plunger and the needle support.

Abstract: A high performance powered raking device comprising a rotatable mounting element with major axis of rotation horizontally disposed and one or more rake-heads pivotally attached thereto in class-1 or class-3 lever configuration with pivotal axes of said levers parallel to and radially disposed from said major axis of rotation on uniform circumferential centers is described. A provision for integrating a selectable directional blower is included.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel apparatus and methods to address the problem of measuring surface characteristics of a coated medical device. A preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a processor-controlled transport module to move a test sample at a predetermined velocity profile past a variety of fixtures. The fixtures include a processor-based, feedback-controlled servo mechanism that applies an predetermined normal force on a test sample with selected test surfaces to measure dynamic friction, abrasion resistance and durability of a coating. More generally, the invention can be used to characterize surface and pull or push properties of a wide variety of objects that also include threads, filaments, rods, tubing, wires, extrusions, films and ribbons.