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: 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.

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 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 dental safety syringe comprising selectively attachable barrel and plunger assemblies, the barrel assembly desirably further comprising a needle cartridge containing a needle holder and spring, and having a distal end from which a needle can be made to project forwardly while administering a medication and then subsequently withdrawn into the needle cartridge to avoid contamination following or between injections. The needle cartridge also comprises a proximal end having a recess into which an ampule containing medication can be inserted prior to connecting the plunger assembly to the barrel assembly so that a rubber dam in the distal end of the ampule is pierced by the proximal end of the needle whenever the syringe is fully assembled.

Abstract: A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having at least a body part of an associated medical apparatus, the frontal attachment slidably engaging the connector housing and having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle and a needle retraction assembly, and the connector housing having a needle retraction cavity laterally offset from the needle in a first position, the needle retraction cavity being selectively movable relative to the frontal attachment following use to reposition the needle retraction cavity into alignment with the needle to permit retraction.

Abstract: A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having at least a body part of an associated medical apparatus, the frontal attachment slidably engaging the connector housing and having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle and a needle retraction assembly, and the connector housing having a needle retraction cavity laterally offset from the needle in a first position, the needle retraction cavity being selectively movable relative to the frontal attachment following use to reposition the needle retraction cavity into alignment with the needle to permit retraction.

Abstract: A retractable needle device attachable to the front of a fluid collection or infusion device such as a syringe, the retractable needle device comprising a housing having an engagement member, a slide support surface, a retraction cavity and a first pinch surface; a needle; a needle alignment member comprising a needle tube and a second pinch surface; and a needle retraction mechanism positioned within the needle tube and configured to bias the needle rearwardly; wherein the first and second pinch surfaces are configured so that a pinching force applied to them will cause relative lateral movement between the housing and needle alignment member. This translational movement from an injection position, wherein the needle is aligned with the syringe connector, to a retraction position, wherein the needle is aligned with the retraction cavity, allows the needle retraction mechanism to force the needle into the retraction cavity.

Abstract: A medical device configured as a blood collection tube holder, the device having a body with two spaced-apart, oppositely facing, coaxially aligned needles including a forwardly facing venipuncture needle and a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle, the two needles being held by first and second needle holders separated by a compressible fluid seal defining part of a fluid path between the two needles and the two needle holders. The body also includes a discharge needle displacement member that is manually repositioned following removal of the last blood tube holder so that the discharge needle displacement member contacts the second needle holder and displaces the second needle holder and the fluid discharge needle laterally inside the body to initiate retraction of the venipuncture needle into a rearwardly projecting needle retraction chamber.