Abstract: A passive needle guard includes a body having a cavity therein for receiving a syringe, and a shield. The body is slidable with respect to the shield between retracted and extended positions covering and exposing, respectively, a needle extending from the syringe, the body being biased towards the retracted position. Latch members extend from the shield that include catches for engaging mating catches on the body for holding the body in the extended position. During use, the needle extending from the syringe is inserted into a patient. A plunger is depressed to inject medication from the syringe, thereby deflecting the latch members to disengage the catches and release the body, whereupon the user may controllably retract the body to the retracted position. In the retracted position, cooperating detents on the shield and body engage one another, thereby substantially permanently covering the needle with the shield.

Abstract: Optical discs, such as CDs, have been protected by the use of an authenticating signature which cannot be copied to another disc. A playing device is required to identify the existence of the authenticating signature in order to access the content of the disc. The authenticating signature may comprise bad sectors at known locations. CD writers now available to consumers allow error detection and error correction data to be specified and this has led to circumvention techniques designed to simulate an original disc. During the writing of a copy disc, bad sectors are identified and provided with alternative data together with incorrect error detection and error correction data. When the copy disc is played bad sectors are reported in exactly the same locations as reported by the original disc thereby enabling the disc to be played even though it is a copy.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: An inflatable body armor system has one or more body armor sections adapted to be worn by a user. Each body armor section includes (i) a inflatable flexible/sealable plenum, (ii) a ballistic armor fabric encasing the plenum, and (iii) a variety of lines, shaped objects and/or fabric sheets dispersed in the plenum to alter the trajectory of a projectile entering the plenum.

Abstract: A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted.

Abstract: A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an injection device including a syringe with a proximal end, a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end, and a plunger inserted into the proximal end. A guard is slidable on the syringe, has a proximal end, a distal end, and is biased from a first position wherein the needle is exposed towards a second position wherein the guard covers the needle. The injection device includes first and second sets of cooperating detents for retaining the guard and syringe in the first and second positions, respectively. A latch member extends proximally from the guard that is engageable by the plunger as the plunger is depressed to release the first set of cooperating detents. Upon release, a spring element biases the guard towards the second position until the second set of cooperating detents engage and secure the guard in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing, expression, and characterization of an immunoreactive ferric binding protein (Fbp) (38-kDa) protein of Ehrlichia canis encoded by a polynucleotide therefor. In particular embodiments, the protein is employed in an immunogenic composition, such as a vaccine. Methods to induce an immune reaction in an individual with compositions of the invention are provided.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: A guard for a syringe that includes a needle, a needle protector cap, and a barrel with an outer diameter smaller than the needle protector cap. The guard includes a body having a cavity for receiving the syringe therein, and a shield that is slidable between an unguarded position wherein the needle is exposed and a guarded position covering the needle. One or more tabs in a wall of the body are deflectable from a first position wherein the tabs extend along the wall or radially outwardly from the wall, to a second position wherein the tabs are directed inwardly into the cavity for contacting the barrel of the syringe. In other embodiments, a collar or other radial element may be provided on the barrel of the syringe to provide lateral support within the cavity of the body.

Abstract: A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base.

Abstract: A rocket propelled textile and cordage net fire extinguishing system is deployed from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire. The rocket propelled matrix-like net flies over, lands on, and drapes over the burning site. A detonating means, or detonating network on the net is actuated to rupture spaced-apart canisters on the net that are filled with halon and/or other fire extinguishing compounds. The detonating network quickly disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to engulf and extinguish the fire safely and efficiently without unduly exposing fire fighters to danger. The net fire extinguisher system can extinguish fires aboard a maritime vessel, particularly when the burning craft cannot be safely boarded or burns so fiercely that it cannot be approached closely. The net fire extinguisher system can combat highly dangerous fires including chemical and oil fires, (oil rig fires) on land and at sea.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implantation in an eye comprising an optic configured so that the optic can be deformed to permit the intraocular lens to be passed through an incision into the eye. A peripheral zone circumscribes the optical zone of the optic and one or more fixation members coupled to the peripheral zone and extending outwardly from the peripheral zone to retain the optic in the eye are provided. In one embodiment the fixation member or members are located so that the optical zone is free of such member or members. The peripheral zone preferably has a maximum axial thickness which is larger than the maximum axial thickness of the periphery of the optical zone.

Abstract: An injection device for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided that includes a glass syringe with an integrally molded lug extending radially from the syringe and a guard slidably attached to the syringe. One set of detents on the guard and the lug of the syringe retain the guard in the retracted position. Another set of detents on the guard and the lug of the syringe retain the guard in the extended position. Another injection device for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided that includes a glass syringe with an integrally molded disk that extends radially from the syringe and a guard slidably coupled to the syringe. One set of detents on the guard and the integrally molded disk of the syringe retain the guard in a retracted position. Another set of detents on the guard and the integrally molded disk retain the guard in an extended position.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an injection device including a syringe with a proximal end, a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end, and a plunger inserted into the proximal end. A guard is slidable on the syringe, has a proximal end, a distal end, and is biased from a first position wherein the needle is exposed towards a second position wherein the guard covers the needle. The injection device includes first and second sets of cooperating detents for retaining the guard and syringe in the first and second positions, respectively. A latch member extends proximally from the guard that is engageable by the plunger as the plunger is depressed to release the first set of cooperating detents. Upon release, a spring element biases the guard towards the second position until the second set of cooperating detents engage and secure the guard in the second position.

Abstract: A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base.

Abstract: A passive needle guard includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a cavity therein for receiving a medicine cartridge, and a shield slidable on the body between retracted and extended positions for exposing and covering, respectively, a needle extending from the body, the shield being biased towards the extended position. Deflectable latch members extend from the shield that include catches for engaging catches on the body for holding the shield in the retracted position. A syringe is inserted into the needle guard, and a needle of the syringe inserted into a patient. A plunger of the syringe is depressed to inject medication and to deflect the latch members to disengage the catches and release the shield, whereupon the shield automatically advances to the extended position. In the extended position, cooperating detents on the shield and body engage one another, thereby preventing subsequent retraction of the shield.

Abstract: A passive needle guard includes a body having a cavity therein for receiving a syringe, and a shield. The body is slidable with respect to the shield between retracted and extended positions covering and exposing, respectively, a needle extending from the syringe, the body being biased towards the retracted position. Latch members extend from the shield that include catches for engaging mating catches on the body for holding the body in the extended position. During use, the needle extending from the syringe is inserted into a patient. A plunger is depressed to inject medication from the syringe, thereby deflecting the latch members to disengage the catches and release the body, whereupon the user may controllably retract the body to the retracted position. In the retracted position, cooperating detents on the shield and body engage one another, thereby substantially permanently covering the needle with the shield.