Abstract: A single-use lancet device is provided for drawing capillary blood samples. The device includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion and a trigger carried by the upper portion of the body. The trigger is movable between a first raised position wherein the device is cocked and a second depressed position wherein the device is fired. A needle assembly is provided which is movable between a cocked position and a striking position. A free-floating drive spring is provided for moving the needle assembly from its cocked position to its striking position. A bounceback spring is integrally molded with the needle assembly and includes a pair of generally V-shaped spring arms. A trigger bar has a first position wherein it holds the needle assembly in its cocked position, and the trigger bar has a second position wherein it allows the needle assembly to move to its striking position as the drive spring expands.

Abstract: A single-use lancet device is provided for drawing capillary blood samples. The device includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion and a trigger carried by the upper portion of the body. The trigger is movable between a first raised position wherein the device is cocked and a second depressed position wherein the device is fired. A needle assembly is provided which is movable between a cocked position and a striking position. A free-floating drive spring is provided for moving the needle assembly from its cocked position to its striking position. A bounceback spring is integrally molded with the needle assembly and includes a pair of generally V-shaped spring arms. A trigger bar has a first position wherein it holds the needle assembly in its cocked position, and the trigger bar has a second position wherein it allows the needle assembly to move to its striking position as the drive spring expands.

Abstract: A vacuum device is provided which assists in the drawing of blood samples from alternative puncture sites such as the forearm, abdomen or inner thigh and which may advantageously be used by diabetics. The device includes a hollow body which slidably receives a hollow plunger. A transparent cylindrical tip is attached to the lower end of the hollow body. A spring is carried inside the hollow body and hollow plunger, the lower end of the spring seating against a webbing formed in the transparent tip and the upper end seating against the upper end of the plunger. The device is actuatable by the thumb and two fingers of one hand. The plunger is depressed, the device is placed over a preexisting puncture site, and the plunger is released wherein the internal spring drives the plunger upwardly and creates a vacuum at the puncture site, allowing the user to easily see the formation of a droplet of adequate size for obtaining the necessary blood reading.

Abstract: A single-use, spring driven lancet is described. The device is precooked during assembly so that the user needs only to remove the safety cap prior to use. A concave trigger button with direct up and down motion releases the spring, causing the tip of the lancet to strike the subject's finger. A thin plastic fiber connection between the pull-tab and the needle safety cap prevents any compressive force from being applied to the drive spring, which effectively prevents recocking of the device.

Abstract: An adjustable tip for a blood lancet device for causing different depths of skin puncture is provided. An inner sleeve has a partially enclosed distal end which forms a stop for the shoulder of the lancet. An outer sleeve is pressed together with a cylindrical ring to form an internal camming surface, which captures a cam follower carried by the inner sleeve when the outer sleeve and cylindrical ring are slid as a unit on the inner sleeve. Rotation of the outer sleeve causes longitudinal motion between the distal ends of the inner and outer sleeve creating an adjustable double bottom which creates various puncture depths.

Abstract: A nucleic acid capture reagent which comprises one or more molecules that are capable of intercalation into nucleic acids and are attached to a solid support via a molecular linker. This capture reagent is useful for the separation and isolation of nucleic acids from complex unpurified biological solutions such as serum, sputum, blood, and urine. The resulting capture reagent-nucleic acid complexes are easily isolated from the sample solution by mechanical or magnetic means and the bound nucleic acids are released by simple chemical treatment.

Abstract: A syringe holder and applicator provides a unique latch mechanism for mounting a syringe on a slider and loading the syringe into a holder. The latch mechanism pivots on the slider in such a way that it may be engaged and retracted against the force of a spring, pulling the slider into a cocked position, pivoted to a position that allows the syringe to be placed on the slider and mounted in the holder, and then pivoted into the cocked position, locking the syringe to the holder and conditioning the device for administering an injection. The slider and syringe are maintained in a position of retraction against the spring by a detent which may be released by a finger operated contact or trigger button.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing clutch driven plates wherein a castellated core plate is sandwiched between two clutch facing annuli in which the thermosetting binder is substantially uncured. The assembly is clamped together and heated to cure the binder and bond the annuli to the core plate.The friction material of the facing annuli is pushed under the clamping pressure into the spaces between the castellations of the core plate and in the preferred clutch driven plates made by this method the inner surfaces of the facing annuli come into contact but do not bond together substantially.

Abstract: A non-asbestos clutch facing has an actual density such that the facing is permeable to air. The clutch facing is preferably a moulded facing containing short reinforcing fibres and having an actual density not greater than 90% of theoretical.The facing may be made by a technique in which a pre-form is prepared, moulded to the desired density and then cured under a pressure such as not to cause substantial further density change.

Abstract: A blood sampling instrument for drawing a few drops of blood from a finger or the like is provided wherein the sampling device consists primarily of a tubular member which conceals all of the working parts and which has a flange thereon so that it can be easily held by a patient and pressed against a finger while releasing a trigger mechanism to actuate a plunger within the instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-advancing roof supporting apparatus for providing temporary support of a portion of the roof of a tunnel, for example in an underground mine such as a coal mine. When tunnels are being extended, temporary roof supports need to be erected while the newly excavated material is removed and permanent roof supports installed.The apparatus of the invention has means engageable upon the permanent roof-supports to suspend the apparatus therefrom, and preferably has two relatively slidable gripping devices (5) or sets of devices to enable the apparatus to be advanced or withdrawn along the tunnel.

Abstract: A blood sampling instrument for drawing a few drops of blood from a finger or the like is provided wherein the sampling device consists primarily of a tubular member which conceals all of the working parts and which has a flange thereon so that it can be easily held by a patient and pressed against a finger while releasing a trigger mechanism to actuate a plunger within the instrument.