Abstract: A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, a power triangle link, at least one tie link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips, but other parts may also be used. A second embodiment of the locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, two power links, at least one tie link, a release link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for joining a first length of suture with a second length of suture are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical body have a first end and a second end, a first cavity formed in the first end for receiving an end of the first length of suture, and a second cavity formed in the second end for receiving an end of the second length of suture, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of sutures are welded within respective first and second cavities. The first and second lengths of suture may include the same or different diameters. The first and second cavities may be separated by a divider, or instead, may be continuous. The end of the first length of suture may abut the end of the second length of suture within the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A suture deployment system is disclosed including a surgical needle having a flexible suture fixedly attached thereto and a target suture releasably secured to the flexible suture. A collar is positioned between the flexible suture and the target suture and is fixedly secured to the flexible suture. The target suture is releasably secured to the collar is such that the target suture may detach from the collar once a surgical procedure has been completed. The surgical needle is a double pointed surgical needle specifically configured to be manipulated by a surgical suturing apparatus.

Abstract: A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, a power triangle link, at least one tie link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips, but other parts may also be used. A second embodiment of the locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, two power links, at least one tie link, a release link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for joining a first length of suture with a second length of suture are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical body have a first end and a second end, a first cavity formed in the first end for receiving an end of the first length of suture, and a second cavity formed in the second end for receiving an end of the second length of suture, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of sutures are welded within respective first and second cavities. The first and second lengths of suture may include the same or different diameters. The first and second cavities may be separated by a divider, or instead, may be continuous. The end of the first length of suture may abut the end of the second length of suture within the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for joining a first length of suture with a second length of suture are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical body have a first end and a second end, a first cavity formed in the first end for receiving an end of the first length of suture, and a second cavity formed in the second end for receiving an end of the second length of suture, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of sutures are welded within respective first and second cavities. The first and second lengths of suture may include the same or different diameters. The first and second cavities may be separated by a divider, or instead, may be continuous. The end of the first length of suture may abut the end of the second length of suture within the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for joining a first length of suture with a second length of suture are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical body have a first end and a second end, a first cavity formed in the first end for receiving an end of the first length of suture, and a second cavity formed in the second end for receiving an end of the second length of suture, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of sutures are welded within respective first and second cavities. The first and second lengths of suture may include the same or different diameters. The first and second cavities may be separated by a divider, or instead, may be continuous. The end of the first length of suture may abut the end of the second length of suture within the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A suture deployment system is disclosed including a surgical needle having a flexible suture fixedly attached thereto and a target suture releasably secured to the flexible suture. Either the flexible suture or the target suture may be made of a shape memory polymer. A collar is positioned between the flexible suture and the target suture and is fixedly secured to the flexible suture. The target suture is releasably secured to the collar is such that the target suture may detach from the collar once a surgical procedure has been completed. The surgical needle is a double pointed surgical needle specifically configured to be manipulated by a surgical suturing apparatus.

Abstract: A suture deployment system is disclosed including a surgical needle having a flexible suture fixedly attached thereto and a target suture releasably secured to the flexible suture. A collar is positioned between the flexible suture and the target suture and is fixedly secured to the flexible suture. The target suture is releasably secured to the collar is such that the target suture may detach from the collar once a surgical procedure has been completed. The surgical needle is a double pointed surgical needle specifically configured to be manipulated by a surgical suturing apparatus.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a surgical needle incorporates at least one pressing operation which, preferably, in conjunction with a trimming and/or etching process, ultimately forms the sharpened needle end. The grinding operation in the preferred process does not produce the primary sharpened edges of the needle, but, rather is incorporated, in one instance, to reduce excess needle material prior to the pressing operation. Consequently, the amount of flash material generated during pressing is substantially reduced. This feature desirably enhances the subsequent trimming and etching operations, and produces a needle which is extremely sharp, durable and exhibits an improved retention of sharpness over periods of prolonged use.

Abstract: Surgical needles are produced by immersing a needle possessing a distal end surrounded at least in part by flash material and a body portion in an acid bath according to a predetermined sequence, wherein the distal end of the needle is exposed to the acid bath under conditions sufficient to remove flash material from the distal end of the needle and the body portion of the needle is exposed to the acid bath under conditions sufficient to provide a matte finish on at least a portion of the body portion of the needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a livewell for a marine vessel for holding captive gamefish wherein the water temperature maintained in the livewell is maintained at a reduced temperature. The reduced water temperatures induces a state of reduced metabolism in the captive gamefish which prolongs the life of the gamefish in captivity. The water in the livewell is cooled by circulating water through a thermodynamic heat exchanger that transfers the heat to a refrigerant that is circulated through a conventional refrigeration cycle commonly found in air conditioning systems, freezers, and refrigerators. The refrigerant is compressed and circulated by a compressor powered by electricity from the marine vessel's batteries or electrical power system. A pair of pumps enable the water in the livewell to be circulated through the chiller assembly and to fill or empty the livewell as required.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a surgical needle incorporates at least one pressing operation which, preferably, in conjunction with a trimming and/or etching process, ultimately forms the sharpened needle end. The grinding operation in the preferred process does not produce the primary sharpened edges of the needle, but, rather is incorporated, in one instance, to reduce excess needle material prior to the pressing operation. Consequently, the amount of flash material generated during pressing is substantially reduced. This feature desirably enhances the subsequent trimming and etching operations, and produces a needle which is extremely sharp, durable and exhibits an improved retention of sharpness over periods of prolonged use.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical needle devoid of a grinding process includes the steps of swaging a needle blank to define a substantially tapered or conical needle end, pressing the tapered needle to form a plurality of intersecting surfaces and forming cutting edges along the lines of intersection of the intersecting sides. The needle may be subjected to an etching process (e.g., an acid bath) to sharpen the cutting edges and/or provide a matte finish on the needle. The needle produced by the novel process is extremely sharp and durable, and exhibits an enhanced retention of sharpness relative to conventional ground needles over periods of prolonged use.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral heating, ventilation, and cooling ducting that is formed in the bulkheads and overheads of a boat or ship. The ducting is custom designed for each boat or ship and is made of a hard material such as plastic, fiberglass, hard insulation board, etc., which will maintain its integrity and cannot be restricted in size or get crimped. The ducting is formed by attaching opposing sidewalls made from the ducting material to the underside of the deck to so that three sides of the duct are formed. The duct is completed when the interior overhead is put into place. Ducts are also formed in bulkheads wherein opposing bulkhead sidewalls form two opposing sidewalls of the duct and ducting material form the remaining two opposing sidewalls of the duct. In this manner, ducting systems can be designed utilizing the small space between the deckplate and the interior headliner which most commonly have a height of approximately 2½? or less.