Abstract: The invention concerns a distributed object storage system (1) that comprises a spreading module (410) which makes a selection of a number of storage elements (300) being larger or equal to a desired spreading width by means of a spreading policy that comprises rules for selecting storage elements (300) in function of a first hierarchy level identifier (70.1) and/or a second hierarchy level identifier (70.2).

Abstract: The invention concerns a distributed object storage system (1) comprising a maintenance agent (740) instructing an encoding module (400) to disassemble a repair data object into a specific number of repair sub blocks, this specific number being equal to or greater than said number of missing sub blocks and less then the predetermined number of sub blocks during a regular storage operation.

Abstract: A device driver includes an aggregator aggregating data blocks into one or more container objects suited for storage in an object store; and a logger for maintaining in at least one log file for each data block an identification of a container object wherein the data block is stored with an identification of the location of the data block in the container object.

Abstract: A pen injection device designed for use with dual or multi-chamber cartridges 14, is provided with an extended length plunger 24 having a non-drive portion 24? on its forward end and the usual screw-threaded drive portion 24? on its rearward end. This arrangement allows the plunger to be pushed forwardly whilst the dosing drive mechanism is disengaged to effect a reconstitution movement of the rearward bung 18? in the cartridge. Thereafter the threaded portion on the plunger 24? engages the drive mechanism to allow metered dosing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distributed object storage system (1) that comprises a spreading module (410) which makes a selection of a number of storage elements (300) being larger or equal to a desired spreading width by means of a spreading policy that comprises rules for selecting storage elements (300) in function of a first hierarchy level identifier (70.1) and/or a second hierarchy level identifier (70.2).

Abstract: The invention concerns a distributed object storage system (1) comprising a maintenance agent (740) instructing an encoding module (400) to disassemble a repair data object into a specific number of repair sub blocks, this specific number being equal to or greater than said number of missing sub blocks and less then the predetermined number of sub blocks during a regular storage operation.

Abstract: A pen injection device designed for use with dual or multi-chamber cartridges (14), is provided with an extended length plunger (24) having a non-drive portion (24?) on its forward end and the usual screw-threaded drive portion (24?) on its rearward end. This arrangement allows the plunger to be pushed forwardly whilst the dosing drive mechanism is disengaged to effect a reconstitution movement of the rearward bung (18?) in the cartridge. Thereafter the threaded portion on the plunger (24?) engages the drive mechanism to allow metered dosing.

Abstract: An autoinjector includes front and rear separable housing parts 10, 12. These are connected by a rotary coupling action such as by bayonet coupling and the relative rotation action turns a needle shield 20 from a locked position in which it is both locked against longitudinal movement and acts as a shutter obscuring the contents of the syringe to an open position where the contents of the syringe are visible and the shield portion is freed for longitudinal movement. Connecting and securing the rear portion 12 on the front portion 11 therefore unlocks the needle shield 20 for operation. On completion of an injection, uncoupling of the front and rear portions returns the needle shield 20 to its locked position so the front portion may be disposed of safely.

Abstract: An injector 12 includes a plunger 17 for expelling drugs from a cartridge 10 which can be inserted into the injector 12. An actuator 27 is provided for operating an escapement mechanism 21 to control the movement of the plunger under a drive force and hence the expelled drug.

Abstract: An air spring generally comprises a first end closure, a flexible member coupled to the first end closure and defining a pressurizable chamber, and a first mounting member projecting from the first end closure in a first direction. The first mounting member has an outer surface with a plurality of barbs projecting outward from the outer surface. The barbs have a spaced arrangement along the first direction.

Abstract: A syringe (1) is moved bodily forward by a plunger (7) (after release of a spring 8) by acting through an O-ring pressing onto an enlarged head (16) of a syringe container (3), in order to expose the needle (5) of the syringe before the plunger acts on a plug (4) within the syringe to cause the liquid to be ejected through the needle. There is, therefore, a two-step movement of the plunger, firstly together with the syringe through the medium of the O-ring, and secondly within the syringe container to force the plug forward, when a ledge (12) on the syringe container (3) is arrested by a stop (14), whereupon the frictional force between the plunger and the O-ring is relieved so that the plunger slides forward through the O-ring.

Abstract: A pen injection device designed for use with dual or multi-chamber cartridges (14), is provided with an extended length plunger (24) having a non-drive portion (24?) on its forward end and the usual screw-threaded drive portion (24?) on its rearward end. This arrangement allows the plunger to be pushed forwardly whilst the dosing drive mechanism is disengaged to effect a reconstitution movement of the rearward bung (18?) in the cartridge. Thereafter the threaded portion on the plunger (24?) engages the drive mechanism to allow metered dosing.

Abstract: A syringe holder is designed to be thrown away after a single use with the syringe safely captive within. The holder has a barrel (5) into whose rear end a syringe (1) is entered until the rear flange (2) of the syringe seats in a socket (15) . Then a gate (16) is hinged in a radial plane through a slot (14) in a thick flange (12) surrounding the socket (15) and snap fastens in a position obstructing rearward movement of the syringe (1) . The syringe needle (3) projects forwardly of the barrel and is shrouded by a sleeve (7) captive to the barrel and urged forwards by a spring (6).

Abstract: A linear hydraulic actuator comprises a hollow main piston axially moveable in an elongate cylinder under the influence of hydraulic pressure, the main piston defining a bore within which a seal member is provided, the seal member forming a sliding seal with the bore of the main piston.

Abstract: An air spring (1) has a cylindrical flexible sleeve (2) secured at each end to form a fluid chamber (14). One end (6) of the sleeve (2) is secured to a retainer (8). The retainer (8) has a ribbed reinforcement structure (16) which allows the air spring (1) to be directly mounted to a moveable part of a vehicle or other machinery. The retainer (8) has an extending mounting structure (13) on one side of the reinforcement structure (16) and a bead-seating surface (12) adjacent to the reinforcement structure (16).

Abstract: A syringe holder is designed to be thrown away after a single use with the syringe safely captive within. The holder has a barrel (5) into whose rear end a syringe (1) is entered until the rear flange (2) of the syringe seats in a socket (15). Then a gate (16) is hinged in a radial plane through a slot (14) in a thick flange (12) surrounding the socket (15) and snap fastens in a position obstructing rearward movement of the syringe (1). The syringe needle (3) projects forwardly of the barrel (5) and is shrouded by a sleeve (7) captive to the barrel and urged forwards by a spring (6). The sleeve (7) retracts to expose the needle during injection but afterwards, having moved forwards again, it can be rotated to snap fasten to the barrel (5) and be locked in its needle shrouding position. The sleeve (7) can also be adapted to remove a cap or sheath from the needle (3) when, before injection, it is moved backwards and then forwards.

Abstract: An injector pack has a box which houses in separate positions a firing mechanism and a syringe housing. The firing mechanism has safe and cocked conditions and as it is located in the box it is constrained to adopt the safe condition by a sleeve grip being held against rotation while a protruding barrel co-operates with cams to rotate it. The firing mechanism when removed can be screwed by its barrel to the rear end of the syringe housing while that is held by the box, and then the whole injector can be withdrawn for use. The syringe is made operable by rotating the barrel to the cocked condition. Pressing the grip forwards then releases a plunger to act on the syringe. The previous retraction of the plunger can be done using a pillar formation upstanding within the box and over which the barrel can be sleeved.

Abstract: An injection device has a barrel (1) for housing and guiding a syringe (13) as it is urged forward to project its needle (14), while the dose is ejected, and as a return spring (22) retracts it. A firing mechanism (6) is connectable to the rear end of the barrel and is re-usable, whereas the barrel (1) with its spent syringe (13) is disposable. The connection (4) has limited freedom of axial movement so that, once made, forward pressure on the firing mechanism (6) moves the syringe (13) up to a ready position. A number of barrels (1) with syringes (13) can be housed in a common box (31) with a single firing mechanism (6), the forward end of each barrel (1) being screwed to a locator (32) on the base of the box.

Abstract: An injection device houses a syringe and contains a drive spring, to urge the syringe forwards to project its needle and then eject the dose, and a return spring, to push the syringe back into the housing and retract the needle. A trigger is operated in one way to release the drive spring and in another way to release the return spring, these operations being mutually exclusive and there being parts for ensuring they are performed in the correct order.