Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. A mounting member is removably mountable to the barrel by way of a screw-thread connection and a needle mount is removably coupled to the mounting member. A needle is mounted to the needle mount. The barrel comprises a needle mount retainer that comprises a plurality of fingers that engage the retractable needle mount to prevent inadvertent retraction. The plunger comprises a collapsible seal which maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery prior to the plunger engaging the retractable needle mount for retraction. An initially compressed spring decompresses to drive retraction of the plunger and the engaged needle mount. A lock formed between the plunger and barrel prevents further use of the plunger after retraction.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting cancer biomarkers, such as one or more SWI/SNF complex mutations, in order to determine a cancer subject's amenability to therapeutic treatment with a BRM inhibitor. Kits, methods of screening for candidate BRM inhibitors, and associated methods of treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A failover procedure for a computer system includes steps for routing traffic from a routing device to a first server, storing in the routing device data representing a fingerprint of the first server, receiving periodically at the routing device a status message from the first server, detecting at the routing device an invalid status message from the first server by absence of the fingerprint in a status message from the first server within a predetermined time period after last receiving a valid status message, and routing the traffic from the routing device to a second server in response to detecting the invalid status message from the first server. A redundant server system implementing the failover procedure may include servers each capable of generating its fingerprint by reading current system configuration data.

Abstract: System and method for auditing for usage of licensed software in which a client executing the software generates and transmits a license key and a covert key to a server via network connection. The license key is transmitted to the server upon activation of the licensed software at the client. The covert key is generated based on at least a portion of the software code activated at the client and is transmitted to the server at random or at predetermined time intervals after transmission of the licensed key so as to avoid detection by a user. The license and covert keys are each associated with a device fingerprint that uniquely identifies the device transmitting each one of the respective keys. Unauthorized software usage at a client is determined at least when a covert key does not correspond to a device fingerprint having an associated license key.

Abstract: A method for selectively allowing participation in an auction, implemented at one or more servers, includes steps for receiving a request to participate in the auction, receiving machine fingerprint data related to the request to participate in the auction, saving the machine fingerprint data in a memory, comparing the machine fingerprint data with previously stored machine fingerprint data, and determining, using the machine fingerprint data, whether to allow the participation in the auction.

Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers or probes for the detection of a mutation of the KRAS gene. The invention also provides a method for detecting a mutation in the KRAS gene using the oligonucleotide primers or probes disclosed therein. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses a method for predicting the sensitivity of a tumor in a patient to epidermal growth factor receptor-directed chemotherapy, comprising obtaining DNA from the tumor; and determining whether there is a mutation in codon 12 and/or a mutation in codon 13 in exon 2 of the KRAS gene in the DNA using a method utilizing at least one of the oligonucleotide primers and/or probes of the present invention.

Abstract: An embedded system device comprises a processor operatively coupled to a first memory space, a second memory space, and a plurality of user controls. The processor is configured to execute only executable code residing within the first memory space, and the executable code includes authentication routine configured to generate a device identifier based at least upon non-user-configurable parameters of the embedded system device. The second memory space includes user configurable options for use by the processor when executing the executable code. The user controls are adapted to configure the user configurable options within the second memory space, wherein the user controls cannot configure the first memory space.

Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.

Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.

Abstract: As system for locating a network node may be implemented as a static network device for determining location of a mobile node. The system includes a transceiver for receiving a device identifier over a public network from the mobile node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the mobile node, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and to memory containing executable code. When executed, the code effects method steps for: accessing, in response to the transceiver receiving the device identifier, a database of authorized device identifiers corresponding to known mobile nodes, establishing, in response to the device identifier matching one of the authorized device identifiers, a secure private network with the mobile node, and communicating with two additional static network devices, the three static network devices implementing triangulation to determine a location of the mobile node.

Abstract: A retractable needle is provided for a syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger that comprises a portion capable of engaging the retractable needle for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula, a needle body having a plunger-engaging member, at least one aperture and an which is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is located between the plunger-engaging member and the elongate portion. The positioning of the at least one aperture distal to the plunger-engaging member maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, primers and probes useful for detecting the presence of mutant BRAF sequences in a sample, specifically for detecting the presence of the BRAF V600E, V600D, V600K, and V600M mutations.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A syringe adapter mountable to a syringe, particularly a retractable syringe having a retractable needle, comprises a sealing member and an adapter body that comprises two or more body members that co-operate to retain the sealing member in the adapter. One or the other body members is removably mountable to a barrel of the syringe and one or the other body members comprises a mounting member. A filter member may be removably mounted to, or formed integrally with, the mounting member to filters fluid when filling the syringe to thereby remove particular material, impurities or the like. Alternatively, a filter material may be provided in the syringe adapter. In addition, or alternatively, a filling needle is provided which is removably mountable to the syringe adapter and may prevent bending or burring of the retractable needle.

Abstract: A system and method for traffic information delivery may be implemented as a static network device for sharing information with network nodes. The system includes a processor in communication with a transceiver and memory, the memory containing code that when executed by the processor effects the method steps for determining an occurrence of a traffic incident within a defined distance from the device, establishing communication with a network node, receiving a device identifier over a public network from the network node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the network node, establishing in response to the device identifier matching an authorized device identifier corresponding to a known network node, a secure private network with the network node, and sending information about the traffic incident to the network node via the secure private network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, primers and probes useful for detecting the presence of mutant BRAF sequences in a sample, specifically for detecting the presence of the BRAF V600E, V600D, V600K, and V600M mutations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for marketing vehicles for sale or lease to drivers whose ordinary vehicles have been totaled. In an exemplary embodiment, data about a totaled vehicle may be entered by an insurance adjuster into a computer system, and this data can be leveraged to trigger the marketing of vehicles for sale or lease to a driver to replace the totaled vehicle.

Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have a blade portion and a base portion, the blade portion having a cutting edge region terminated at a free end thereof and an opposing non-cutting edge region, the blade portion being bent relative to the base portion in a bent portion spaced from the cutting edge region and adjacent to the non-cutting edge region, wherein the bent portion extends about 108 degrees to about 115 degrees from the base portion, the bent portion having a radius of about 0.30 mm to about 0.45 mm, at least part of the cutting member having a hardness of about hardness of about 540 HV to about 750 HV, and a thickness of the bent portion is less than the average thickness of the cutting member.

Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have a blade portion and a base portion, the blade portion having a cutting edge region terminated at a free end thereof and an opposing non-cutting edge region, the blade portion being bent relative to the base portion in a bent portion spaced from the cutting edge region and adjacent to the non-cutting edge region, wherein the bent portion extends about 108 degrees to about 115 degrees from the base portion, the bent portion having a radius of about 0.30 mm to about 0.45 mm, at least part of the cutting member having a hardness of about hardness of about 540 HV to about 750 HV, and a thickness of the bent portion is less than the average thickness of the cutting member.