Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber. The chamber transitions from a collapsed state to the expanded state to retract the needle by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber through the second channel.

Abstract: A vacuum controlled liquid delivery system, including a primary chamber; a manifold assembly affixed to the primary chamber, the manifold assembly comprising a feed line and an external pressure line; and a cap configured to reversibly engage the manifold assembly at one end and reversibly cap a syringe at another end, the cap comprising a septum and a porous plug, wherein when the cap is attached to the manifold assembly the feed line passes through the septum, and further wherein the porous plug seals upon contact with a liquid.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber. The chamber transitions from a collapsed state to the expanded state to retract the needle by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber through the second channel.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber. The chamber transitions from a collapsed state to the expanded state to retract the needle by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber through the second channel.

Abstract: A valved connector device can be attached with and/or incorporated into a body fluid access device, such as a fluid drainage sheath or catheter. The valved connector includes a valve that automatically opens when a secondary device, such as a catheter or tubing, is properly attached to the valved connector. When opened, the valved connector permits fluid flow therethrough so that fluid can be drained from a location, such as a fluid cavity of a patient. The valved connector is closed in a default state and automatically transitions to the closed state when the secondary device is decoupled from the valved connector. In this manner, hemostasis through the body fluid access device is achieved in the default state.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having a base and an outer shell, which forms a proximal cavity and a distal cavity joined by a canal; an inner housing configured for longitudinal movement within the distal cavity; a seal positioned within the distal cavity that together with the longitudinal movement of the inner housing regulates the flow of fluid through the valve assembly; and one or more selected from the group consisting of the base notched with one or more notches and the inner housing having one or more through slots aligned to permit access to the one or more notches, the seal being a reversibly deformable sealing pin, and a torque limiter mechanism configured to resist the longitudinal movement of the inner housing distally until a sufficient radial force is applied.

Abstract: Features for a tail-sitter aircraft having efficiently designed propulsive elements are disclosed. The aircraft may have a tail with landing mounts to support the aircraft in a vertical position for takeoff and landing. The aircraft may have a hybrid propulsion system including an electric power source, such as a generator and an electric motor, and a prime power subsystem, such as an internal combustion engine. The electric and prime power subsystems may be used controllably in varying amounts depending on the phase of flight, such as takeoff, horizontal flight, landing, or maneuvers. The aircraft may have blades with piezo elements to provide shape-changing capability to the blade. The shape of the blade, such as the pitch and/or twist, may be controllably changed for optimal efficiency with the blade depending on phase of flight. The blade shape may be changed from a rotor-like shape during takeoff and landing, to a propeller-like shape during horizontal flight.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having a base and an outer shell, which forms a proximal cavity and a distal cavity joined by a canal; an inner housing configured for longitudinal movement within the distal cavity; a seal positioned within the distal cavity that together with the longitudinal movement of the inner housing regulates the flow of fluid through the valve assembly; and one or more selected from the group consisting of the base notched with one or more notches and the inner housing having one or more through slots aligned to permit access to the one or more notches, the seal being a reversibly deformable sealing pin, and a torque limiter mechanism configured to resist the longitudinal movement of the inner housing distally until a sufficient radial force is applied.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body has two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber. The chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state where chamber is configured to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body has two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: A splicing tool includes a first heated anvil, a second heated anvil, and a mechanism for moving the second heated anvil into contact with the first heated anvil. The first anvil is supported by a base. The second heated anvil is supported for movement with respect to the first heated anvil by post, which is supported by the base. In one embodiment, the post supports a first bracket. A second bracket is movably coupled to the first bracket. A plunger is movably coupled to the second bracket. The second heated anvil is carried by the plunger. A spring is compressed between the first and second bracket. The spring controls the amount of force applied between the first and second heated brackets. The compression of the spring may be adjustable.

Abstract: An automatic diagnostic medical test kit assembly system includes an assembly line having a conveyor; a return line parallel to the assembly line and having a conveyor running in a direction opposite of that of the conveyor of the assembly line; a plurality of pallets carrying components of the medical test kit during assembly; a plurality of work stations disposed along the assembly line to perform assembly steps on the components of the medical test kit; a start end pallet transfer mechanism disposed at the start end of the assembly line and the return line to transfer the pallets from the return line to the assembly line; and a finish end pallet transfer mechanism disposed at the finish end of the assembly line and the return line to transfer the pallets from the assembly line to the return line.