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distal end from which a needle can be made to project forwardly while administering a medication and then subsequently withdrawn into the needle cartridge to avoid contamination following or between injections.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 tube holder for use in collecting bodily fluids, especially for use as a blood collection tube holder, the device embodying two coaxially alignable needles, the first needle being a forwardly facing fluid collection 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.

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.

Abstract: A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having or attachable to 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 needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attachable to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction. An IV catheter introducer comprising the subject needle retraction apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device having a housing; a cannula projecting forwardly from the housing; a connector useful for attaching the device to a fluid source or receptacle; a fluid flow path establishing fluid communication between the cannula and the connector; a retraction mechanism biasing the cannula away from its projecting position; and an actuator supported by the housing and configured to modify the fluid flow path so as to terminate fluid flow through the device, seal off the fluid flow path, and release the retraction mechanism to retract the cannula into the housing. The subject device is particularly preferred for use in the medical field, for example, as part of an infusion set or as a collection device for blood, or other fluids or flowable matter.

Abstract: A device having a housing; a cannula projecting forwardly from the housing; a connector useful for attaching the device to a fluid source or receptacle; a fluid flow path establishing fluid communication between the cannula and the connector; a retraction mechanism biasing the cannula away from its projecting position; and an actuator supported by the housing and configured to modify the fluid flow path so as to terminate fluid flow through the device, seal off the fluid flow path, and release the retraction mechanism to retract the cannula into the housing. The subject device is particularly preferred for use in the medical field, for example, as part of an infusion set or as a collection device for blood, or other fluids or flowable matter.

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: 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.