Abstract: An endless loop rope climbing machine that maintains a constant rope speed through a hydraulic resistance mechanism. This method and device uses a climbing rope threaded about a tapered friction sheave connected to a hydraulic pump via a shaft. The user selects a desired fluid flow rate corresponding to a preferred rope climbing speed using a flow adjustment mechanism. Force exerted on the rope by the climber initiates the flow of fluid through the hydraulic system. Fluid is propelled through the system to a pressure compensated flow control (PCFC) valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump. A pressure compensating spool within this PCFC valve shifts in position to regulate fluid flow, returning a constant velocity of fluid to the hydraulic pump. The shaft connected to the hydraulic pump rotates at a consistent speed regardless of the force applied by the climber, thereby maintaining the steady rope climbing speed selected by the user.

Abstract: A system for forming a woody biomass component and a binder component into a solid fuel element having a predetermined density. The system includes a first compression assembly for compressing an uncompressed mixture of the woody biomass component and the binder component to provide a first compressed mixture formed into a preliminary element having a preliminary density. The system also includes a second compression assembly for compressing the preliminary element to form the solid fuel element having the predetermined density, which is greater than the preliminary density.

Abstract: A medical device useful for collecting samples of a bodily fluid, typically a vascular fluid such as blood. The subject device can also be used for infusing liquids into a patient. The fluid flow path desirably includes a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle, a needle holder and a length of plastic tubing, the forwardly extending end of which is configured to function as a fluid seal to reduce the likelihood of fluid leakage during or after use. Following use, the needle is retractable from the patient by sliding a needle retraction cavity transversely into longitudinal alignment with the needle, thereby disrupting the fluid flow path and propelling the needle rearwardly so that it no longer projects from the device.

Abstract: A safety syringe comprising a needle redirection device that is desirably configured to bend the needle shaft forwardly of the barrel following an injection to thereby redirect the needle tip from a first position where it projects forwardly in coaxial alignment with the syringe barrel to a second position where the needle tip is covered or protected from incidental or accidental contact and associated needle sticks. Both sliding and pivoting embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A frontal attachment for a conventional aspirating dental syringe comprising a barrel connector housing releasably attachable to the front end of the barrel of an aspirating dental syringe, an injection needle guide attached to the barrel connector housing, an injection needle attached to and supported by a needle holder assembly reciprocatably disposed in a needle guide slot between the injection needle guide and the barrel connector housing in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis of the aspirating dental syringe, and a second needle projecting rearwardly from the barrel connector housing to establish fluid communication with a carpule disposed in the conventional aspirating dental syringe.

Abstract: A device configured to receive and safely store a plurality of used needle-containing medical apparatus such as syringes, IV catheter introducers, bodily fluid collection devices and blood collection tube holders and to dispense a sterile medical apparatus having the same or a similar shape, size and configuration as that deposited into the device.

Abstract: A blood collection tube holder embodying two coaxially alignable needles, the first needle being a forwardly facing venipuncture needle and the second needle being a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle. The first and second needles are satisfactorily supported by a frontal attachment and body, respectively, that are disposed in relative sliding engagement along an interface that is transverse to the first and second needle and that extends at least from the second needle to an opening into a needle retraction chamber that projects rearwardly from the body. The subject device is configured to receive and support a conventional blood collection tube of the type used to collect blood samples.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system having a steering axis that allows pivoting of propellers along a first vertical axis directly beneath a gear box located inside the hull of a boat. A lower gear box can be placed within a vented or non-vented tunnel eliminating the need for a rudder and providing directional control of the boat by the orientation of the lower gear box. Surface piercing propellers and/or counter-rotating propellers may be used with the propellers pivoted around the vertical axis of the gear box. The offset steering axis allows pivoting around the first vertical axis wherein a secondary axis is moved with minimal drag providing superior maneuverability at both high and low speeds.

Abstract: A syringe for medical use having a barrel with a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber and at least one longitudinally extending, outwardly facing, substantially flat indicia display surface disposed proximally to the fluid chamber, a plunger slidably inserted into the fluid chamber, a needle projecting forwardly from the barrel in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and a fixed length needle safety device having an activation handle slidably engaging the barrel and a forwardly projecting needle tip shield encircling the needle that moves forwardly to cover a tip end of the needle when the activation handle is moved forwardly following use of the syringe.

Abstract: A medical syringe having a barrel with a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally extending fluid chamber, a needle retraction cavity substantially coextensive in length with the fluid chamber and disposed adjacent and parallel to the fluid chamber, and at least one substantially flat, outwardly facing display area configured to receive and display an array of volumetric measuring indicia in alignment with and proximal to the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter introducer for medical use having a body, a frontal attachment that is disposed in transverse sliding engagement with a front part of the body, a hub tube assembly that is releasably supported by the frontal attachment, and a retractable catheter insertion needle and needle holder that are biased rearwardly by a spring offset laterally from the needle axis, whereby lateral repositioning of the body relative to the frontal attachment following vascular insertion moves a needle retraction cavity disposed inside the body into substantial coaxial alignment and causes the needle holder to be retracted into the needle retraction cavity.

Abstract: A system for forming a woody biomass component and a binder component into a solid fuel element having a predetermined density. The system includes a first compression assembly for compressing an uncompressed mixture of the woody biomass component and the binder component to provide a first compressed mixture formed into a preliminary element having a preliminary density. The system also includes a second compression assembly for compressing the preliminary element to form the solid fuel element having the predetermined density, which is greater than the preliminary density.

Abstract: A blood collection tube holder having a retractable single needle and a body comprising substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart barrel and needle retraction cavities separated by a partial wall that facilitates lateral movement of the single needle from the barrel cavity into alignment with the needle retraction cavity to initiate needle retraction. The barrel and a frontal attachment to the barrel are cooperatively configured to facilitate relative sliding movement between in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis through the retractable single needle to initiate needle retraction.

Abstract: A medical device attachable to the front of a conventional syringe and having a hub assembly selectively attachable to the syringe, a nose projecting forwardly from the hub assembly, a rearwardly biased needle retraction mechanism seated inside the nose, a retractable needle projecting forwardly of the nose, and a fluid flow path from the fluid chamber through the hub assembly, nose, needle retraction assembly and needle, wherein the needle is retracted into the nose and a retraction tube external to the syringe by rotating the syringe relative to the nose.

Abstract: An endless loop rope climbing machine that maintains a constant rope speed through a hydraulic resistance mechanism having a pressure compensated flow control valve.

Abstract: A frontal attachment for a conventional aspirating dental syringe comprising a barrel connector housing releasably attachable to the front end of the barrel of an aspirating dental syringe, an injection needle guide attached to the barrel connector housing, an injection needle attached to and supported by a needle holder assembly reciprocatably disposed in a needle guide slot between the injection needle guide and the barrel connector housing in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis of the aspirating dental syringe, and a second needle projecting rearwardly from the barrel connector housing to establish fluid communication with a carpule disposed in the conventional aspirating dental syringe.

Abstract: A medical device useful for collecting samples of a bodily fluid, typically a vascular fluid such as blood. The subject device can also be used for infusing liquids into a patient. The fluid flow path desirably includes a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle, a needle holder and a length of plastic tubing, the forwardly extending end of which is configured to function as a fluid seal to reduce the likelihood of fluid leakage during or after use. Following use, the needle is retractable from the patient by sliding a needle retraction cavity transversely into longitudinal alignment with the needle, thereby disrupting the fluid flow path and propelling the needle rearwardly so that it no longer projects from the device.