Abstract: An interspinous implant includes an implant body having an upper face, a lower face, and four sides. The implant body includes a first recess and a second recess in opposite sides, wherein each recess is suitable for receiving a spinous process of a vertebrae. Attachment means are provided and suitable for attaching a band to the implant body. The implant further includes a lock hinged to a side of the implant body on a side not having the recesses, with the lock rotatable about the hinge between a closed position and an open position in which the lock projects away from the side of the implant body. The lock has an aperture, and a band can pass through the aperture when the lock is open and can be secured against movement relative to the lock and the implant body by the lock when the lock is closed.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) includes a housing, with an outer surface, and an analytical test strip ejection mechanism (“ATSEM”). The ATSEM has an actuation button disposed in the outer surface of the housing, a motion amplification and rotation assembly (“MA&RA”) operatively connected to the actuation button and a test strip slider (“TSS”) operatively connected to the MA&RA. The actuation button is configured for movement by a user's digit in a first direction and the MA&RA and TSS are configured to convert the movement in the first direction into amplified movement of the TSS in a second direction with the second direction being rotated with respect to the first direction. Moving the TSS in the second direction from the engaged state to an ejected state ejects the strip.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The exemplary lancing device comprises: a first housing having spaced apart proximal and distal ends disposed along a longitudinal axis; a chassis disposed in the first housing in a fixed relationship with the first housing; a movable member disposed in the chassis and configured for movement along the longitudinal axis and in the first housing; a lancet coupled to the movable member; and a lancet depth adjustment member retained by both the first and chassis so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other embodiments and methods are also described.

Abstract: An interspinous implant includes an implant body having an upper face, a lower face, and four sides. The implant body includes a first recess and a second recess in opposite sides, wherein each recess is suitable for receiving a spinous process of a vertebrae. Attachment means are provided and suitable for attaching a band to the implant body. The implant further includes a lock hinged to a side of the implant body on a side not having the recesses, with the lock rotatable about the hinge between a closed position and an open position in which the lock projects away from the side of the implant body. The lock has an aperture, and a band can pass through the aperture when the lock is open and can be secured against movement relative to the lock and the implant body by the lock when the lock is closed.

Abstract: A test meter for use win an analytical test strip for the determination of an analyte (such as glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) includes a test meter housing and a strip port connector. The test meter housing has a distal end with a strip port opening configured to receive the analytical test strip. The strip port connector is integrated with the distal end of the test meter housing and has a distal portion with an analytical test strip guide. The analytical test strip guide has an upper guide surface configured such that an analytical test strip received in the strip port opening is guided and supported by the upper guide surface and also has a liquid entrapment feature configured to direct free liquid that enters the strip port opening away from the upper guide surface and entrap such directed liquid in the distal portion of the strip port connector and/or the distal end of the test meter housing.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The exemplary lancing device comprises: a first housing having spaced apart proximal and distal ends disposed along a longitudinal axis; a chassis disposed in the first housing in a fixed relationship with the first housing; a movable member disposed in the chassis and configured for movement along the longitudinal axis and in the first housing; a lancet coupled to the movable member; and a lancet depth adjustment member retained by both the first and chassis so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other embodiments and methods are also described.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electrical limit switch (10) is provided and comprises a number of contact elements (30) each having a slot (32) with inner cutting edges (34) for penetrating the insulation of and containing a conducting element (48). The contact elements (30) are provided on a body which engages a base (56) wherein the base (56) receives a plurality of conducting elements (48). Upon engagement of the body and base (56), the conducting elements (48) are foced into respective slots (32) in the contact elements (30), thus providing a rapid electrical connection. The switching means of the limit switch (1) is provided by an actuating arrangement (14) including a plunger portion (16) and a roller (18), wherein the plunger(16) includes electrical contacts (36a, 36b) which are moveable with the plunger. Each contact (36a, 36b) provides an electrical connection between two of the contact elements (30) when the plunger (16) is in the appropriate position.

Abstract: An electrical limit switch (10) is provided and comprises a number of contact elements (30) each having a slot (32) with inner cutting edges (34) for penetrating the insulation of and containing a conducting element (48). The contact elements (30) are provided on a body which engages a base (56) wherein the base (56) receives a plurality of conducting elements (48). Upon engagement of tje body and base (56), the conducting elements (48) are foced into respective slots (32) in the contact elements (30), thus providing a rapid electrical connection. The switching means of the limit switch (1) is provided by an actuating arrangement (14) including a plunger portion (16) and a roller (18), wherein the plunger(16) includes electrical contacts (36a, 36b) which are moveable with the plunger. Each contact (36a, 36b) provides an electrical connection between two of the contact elements (30) when the plunger (16) is in the appropriate position.