Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub (104 ) having an outer needle cannula (103) extending therefrom. An inner needle (106) is disposed for slidable movement with the outer needle cannula (103). At least one shield (101) is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the inner needle (101). The shield (101) includes a binding member (105) disposed within the shield (101) and defines binding surfaces (122) that form an aperture (138) configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle (106). The binding member (105) includes a binding member reset surface (107) aligned with a reset surface (108) for engagement therewith to allow reuse of a shielded needle apparatus.

Abstract: Compositions for use in the treatment of wounds and fibrosis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates actin assembly and organization intracellularly and/or extracellularly and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle; such a compound promotes the rate of wound healing and also prevents or reduces fibrosis. A preferred compound is gelsolin.

Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. In embodiments of this invention a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position. A latch is also disposed on the distal segment for securing the distal segment relative to the shield when in the extended position.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub having an outer needle cannula extending therefrom. An inner needle is disposed for slidable movement with the outer needle cannula. At least one shield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the inner needle. The shield includes a binding member disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle. The binding member includes a binding member reset surface aligned with a hub reset surface for engagement therewith to allow reuse of a shielded needle apparatus.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a first cylinder, such as, for example, a shield that is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position for enclosing a distal end of a needle of a medical needle device. The shield includes a collar that is mounted to the medical needle device. The shield further includes a proximal portion extending from the collar and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion. The distal portion is configured to enclose the distal end of the needle in the extended position. The proximal portion includes an engagement surface that is engageable to urge the shield from the retracted position to the extended position. The collar includes a guard extending therefrom and is disposed adjacent to the distal portion of the shield in the retracted position such that inadvertent extension of the shield, via engagement of the distal portion, is prevented.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a housing that has an opening, a landing, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the housing to the landing external to the housing. The position of at least one of the push element and the landing is adjustable to enable the battery dispenser to dispense batteries that are one of at least two distinct physical sizes. A refill for the battery dispenser includes a base, a plurality of batteries disposed on the base and a retainer that contacts the batteries and is connected to the base. The refill base can cooperate with the dispenser to adjust the height of the landing or the push element.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear minimizes the number of components while ensuring precise, reliable operation of the rack and pinion arrangement of the ratchet mechanism. A headband of a protective helmet or similar headgear generally has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing. The ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element, which in this case is a unitary body that includes an adjustment knob portion which is positioned on an exterior side of the outer housing section and a pinion portion which is positioned on an interior side of the outer housing section is adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a disk that supports a plurality of batteries, a cover that has an opening, a grip ring that rotates the disk to align the batteries with the opening of the cover, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the cover to a landing external to the cover. The disk rotates relative to the grip ring between a load position and a dispensing position, and the disk is removable from the grip ring when the disk is in the load position.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided which includes an extensible shield having a first segment and a second segment extending therefrom. The second segment includes an opening configured for clearance of a medical needle of a medical needle device during attachment of the extensible shield to the medical needle device. The second segment defines a planar surface adjacent a distal portion thereof. The planar surface is configured to engage the needle for disposing the shield in an extended position. In alternate embodiment, the medical needle shield apparatus has a syringe having a needle hub supporting a needle. The first segment articulates from a collar disposed about the needle hub. The collar includes a pair of latches. The opening is configured for travel about the needle to facilitate extension of the shield from a retracted position to an extended position. The second segment further includes a proximal fulcrum that engages the needle to facilitate extension of the shield.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear minimizes the number of components while ensuring precise, reliable operation of the rack and pinion arrangement of the ratchet mechanism. A headband of a protective helmet or similar headgear generally has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing. The ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element, which in this case is a unitary body that includes an adjustment knob portion which is positioned on an exterior side of the outer housing section and a pinion portion which is positioned on an interior side of the outer housing section is adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for simultaneously securing a plurality of display articles onto a hangable merchandiser are disclosed. The apparatus includes a strip shaped hangar and a detachable handle secured to the strip. The handle is used to secure the display articles to the strip and then the handle is detached from the strip. The process reduces the cost of securing display articles to the strip.

Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a shield that is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of a needle. A binding member is disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the needle between the retracted position and the extended position. The binding member includes at least one drag-inducing member extending therefrom that is configured for slidable engagement with the needle between the retracted position and the extended position such that the at least one drag-inducing member engages the needle to create a drag force with the needle. The drag force causes rotation of the binding member relative to a longitudinal axis of the needle such that the binding surfaces engage the needle to prevent slidable movement of the needle in the extended position of the shield.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a shield being extensible from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the shield includes a first segment mounted to a medical needle device having a needle extending therefrom. The shield further includes a second segment articulating from the first segment and a third segment articulating from the first segment, wherein the second segment includes an engagement surface. The shield further includes a fourth segment articulating from the second segment and the third segment. The engagement surface of the second segment is engageable to urge the shield from the retracted position such that the second segment and the third segment cooperate to extend the shield to the extended position, whereby the fourth segment substantially encloses a distal end of the needle.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the outer bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a first housing configured to actuate a needle cannula. A second housing is releasably engageable with the first housing. The needle cannula is disposed for slidable movement with the second housing such that the second housing is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the needle cannula. The second housing includes a binding member that defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the needle cannula. The binding member includes a drag inducing member that engages the needle cannula during slidable receipt of the needle cannula to create a drag force. The drag force and second housing facilitate rotation of the binding member relative to a longitudinal axis of the needle cannula such that the binding surfaces engage the needle cannula to prevent slidable movement of the needle cannula.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment of wounds to inhibit scar tissue formation during healing is disclosed, comprising an effective activity-inhibiting amount of a growth factor neutralizing agent or agents specific against only fibrotic growth factors together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The method of preparation of the composition and method of administering the composition to a host suffering from tissue wounding is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing or detecting a predisposition to a condition at least partially characterized by inappropriate fibrosis or scarring, the method comprising examining the mitochondrial genome from a subject of interest to detect the presence of a genetic polymorphism or mutation linked to the development of the condition. Regions of the genome that may be examined include the 16srRNA region, the ND2 gene, the cytochrome b (complex III) region and the COI gene. The invention also relates to kits for use in the diagnostic method and the medical use of modulators of the mitochondrial genome.