Abstract: A needle-protection device (2) for a syringe (1) includes a protector support (120) having at least one recess (126A) that extends therethrough and at least one rib (170) that extends across at least a portion of the recess. The rib is generally centrally positioned within the recess. A needle protector (22) has an inner diameter that is at least slightly greater than an outer diameter of the protector support, such that at least a portion of the protector support can be inserted within at least a portion of the needle protector. At least one hook (56) extends radially inwardly from the needle protector. The needle protector is rotatable with respect to the protector support such that the at least one hook snaps over the at least one rib and locks the rotational position of the protector support with respect to the needle protector.

Abstract: A medical pump with a closed loop stroke feedback system and method, for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pumping element that intermittently pressurizes a pumping chamber during a pumping cycle. A pressure sensor detects the pressure exerted by the pumping element on the pumping chamber. A position sensor detects the position of the pumping element. A processing unit processes pressure data from the pressure sensor and position data from the position sensor to determine a calculated stroke volume of the pump for a pump cycle, and to adjust a stroke frequency of the pump to compensate for variation in the stroke volume.

Abstract: A plasma jet system includes a housing with a single opening. A plasma generator is coupled to ionize a fluid in the housing. An electromagnetic accelerator is coupled to generate an electric field that accelerates ionized fluid in the housing toward the opening. A controller can modulate the frequency of the electric field to cause the ionized fluid to form a plasma vortex flow through the opening. A magnetic field is applied normal to the direction of the plasma vortex flow to mitigate the momentum of the electrons. The electrons slowed by the magnetic field can be collected and conducted to a location where they are re-inserted into the plasma vortex flow to maintain charge neutrality.

Abstract: An air vehicle includes a bag skirt extendable along a portion of a hull of the air vehicle. The bag skirt is inflatable to provide an air cushion during touchdown and deflatable during flight of the air vehicle. The air vehicle also includes a cover roller adjacent the bag skirt, and a cover portion coupled to the cover roller. The cover roller is operable between exposed position and unexposed positions to expose and hide the bag skirt with the cover portion. The cover roller includes an extensible shaft and a pad securely wrapped around the extensible shaft. The extensible shaft is capable of being rotated along a shaft axis. One end of the extensible shaft is pivotally coupled to the hull by an anchor. A circumference of the cover roller is configured as a function of a distance between the exposed and the unexposed positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: An air vehicle includes a bag skirt extendable along a portion of a hull of the air vehicle. The bag skirt is inflatable to provide an air cushion during touchdown and deflatable during flight of the air vehicle. The air vehicle also includes a cover roller adjacent the bag skirt, and a cover portion coupled to the cover roller. The cover roller is operable between exposed position and unexposed positions to expose and hide the bag skirt with the cover portion. The cover roller includes an extensible shaft and a pad securely wrapped around the extensible shaft. The extensible shaft is capable of being rotated along a shaft axis. One end of the extensible shaft is pivotally coupled to the hull by an anchor. A circumference of the cover roller is configured as a function of a distance between the exposed and the unexposed positions.

Abstract: A hybrid air vehicle is disclosed in which a cover is provided for a plurality of air cushioned landing pads to reduce drag when airborne. The pad is inflatable to provide an air cushioned during touchdown and deflatable during flight of the air vehicle. The cover can include a first cover portion and a second cover portion. A first cover roller of the first cover portion and a matching second cover roller of the second cover portion abut to cover the corresponding pad. The first cover roller and the second cover roller, which are separate and free from a physical linkage there between, are separable in an eyelid fashion to expose the corresponding pad. A separation gap between the first cover roller and the second cover roller is increased or decreased by roller straps to cover or expose the corresponding pad.

Abstract: A plasma jet system includes a housing with a single opening. A plasma generator is coupled to ionize a fluid in the housing. An electromagnetic accelerator is coupled to generate an electric field that accelerates ionized fluid in the housing toward the opening. A controller can modulate the frequency of the electric field to cause the ionized fluid to form a plasma vortex flow through the opening. A magnetic field is applied normal to the direction of the plasma vortex flow to mitigate the momentum of the electrons. The electrons slowed by the magnetic field can be collected and conducted to a location where they are re-inserted into the plasma vortex flow to maintain charge neutrality.

Abstract: A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle.

Abstract: A hybrid air vehicle is disclosed in which a cover is provided for a plurality of air cushioned landing pads to reduce drag when airborne. The pad is inflatable to provide an air cushioned during touchdown and deflatable during flight of the air vehicle. The cover can include a first cover portion and a second cover portion. A first cover roller of the first cover portion and a matching second cover roller of the second cover portion abut to cover the corresponding pad. The first cover roller and the second cover roller, which are separate and free from a physical linkage there between, are separable in an eyelid fashion to expose the corresponding pad. A separation gap between the first cover roller and the second cover roller is increased or decreased by roller straps to cover or expose the corresponding pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: A plasma jet system includes a housing with an opening. A plasma generator is coupled to ionize a fluid in the housing. An electromagnetic accelerator is coupled to generate an electric field that accelerates ionized fluid in the housing toward the opening. A controller can modulate the frequency of the electric field to cause the ionized fluid to form a plasma vortex flow through the opening. A magnetic field is applied normal to the direction of the plasma vortex flow to mitigate the momentum of the electrons. The electrons slowed by the magnetic field can be collected and conducted to a location where they are re-inserted into the plasma vortex flow to maintain charge neutrality.

Abstract: Surfactants useful for enhancing the electrical conduction of electrodes attached to the surface of a patient. The surfactants are also useful in transport of materials in and out of the body of a patient (animal or human) and in the measurement of disease states. Typical surfactants particularly useful in the invention are broadly represented by protein/fatty acid based compounds. The protein/fatty acid compounds may be lipopolypeptides. In some embodiments the lipopolypeptides may be acyl peptides. Typical acyl peptides are Lamepon S™, MayTein C™ and MayTein CT™.

Abstract: Surfactants useful for enhancing the electrical conduction of electrodes attached to the surface of a patient. The surfactants are also useful in transport of materials in and out of the body of a patient (animal or human) and in the measurement of disease states. Typical surfactants particularly useful in the invention are broadly represented by protein/fatty acid based compounds. The protein/fatty acid compounds may be lipopolypeptides. In some embodiments the lipopolypeptides may be acyl peptides. Typical acyl peptides are Lamepon S™, MayTein C™ and MayTein CT™.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic injector having a drive assembly with an actuator extending from the rearward end portion of the housing and a removal resistant cover for preventing unintended operation of the actuator. The present invention also relates to a sealing arrangement wherein the needle is sealed within a sterilized needle chamber by at least three sealing members which cooperate to form the chamber. Also, the present invention relates to an injector in which the cartridge is mounted to a tubular cartridge mounting portion of the needle carrier with an annular sealing member disposed therebetween. The cartridge mounting portion has at least one generally axially extending groove which allows air to escape from the cartridge mounting portion as the cartridge is being moved forwardly to a medicament supplying position.

Abstract: A grass collector for receiving clippings discharged from a port at the rear of a mower housing. The collector is secured to a frame member which is pivotally connected to support members joined to the mower so as to be able to swing between a closed, clippings-receiving position adjacent the rear discharge port and an open, displaced position at which clippings can be dumped from the collector. The position of the collector is selectively controlled by the operator of the mower, and a spring arrangement is provided for retaining the collector in the selected position until over-ridden by the operator.

Abstract: A missile adapted for flight at hypersonic velocities includes an engine operable in rocket and ramjet modes of operation, the engine having an inlet opening, a fuel combustion chamber in the engine housing a boost fuel and a cruise fuel, an axially movable plug located at the engine inlet opening for opening and closing the inlet opening, and a mechanism, coupled with the plug and the engine, for switching between the two modes of operation of the engine during flight of the missile. In this way, when the missile reaches a target location in its flight trajectory, the plug can be moved to close the inlet opening and shut down the ramjet operation, while also minimizing the missile radar cross section properties. The switching mechanism includes sensors for determining flight parameters and a computer for processing the flight parameters to determine when to move the plug.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting racks of sealed sample tubes, mixing a sample material contained within the tubes, and aspirating samples from the tubes. The apparatus includes a car which runs along a rail. The car drives racks containing the sample tubes into a mixer channel disposed above and running parallel to the rail. The mixer channel is mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to the rail to mix samples and position the tubes to be aspirated. A push pin mounted adjacent to the mixer channel extends into the mixer channel and urges individual tubes against an aspirator assembly mounted on the opposite side of the mixer channel. An input queue is disposed proximate the input side of the rail and an output queue disposed proximate the output side of rail. The input queue supports the racks and feeds them into position to be driven by the car mechanism into the mixer channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering the cutting deck beneath the frame of a riding lawn mower, comprising a pair of lifting arms having first ends rotatably secured to the frame and second ends secured to the cutting deck, rotation of the lifting arms effecting vertical movement of said cutting deck. A pedal operated lifting mechanism is provided, selectively operable by the user of the mower to rotate the lifting arms, thereby raising and/or lower the cutting deck. A suspending member is disposed through an opening in the frame above a portion of one lifting arm, said suspending member having a lower end secured to the lifting arm and an upper end disposed above the opening in the frame. A support member secured to the upper end of the suspending member engages the frame to limit downward movement of the suspending member and lifting arm, and is selectively adjustable by the user to adjust the cutting height of the deck.

Abstract: A half-nut block containing a threaded bore and a larger, overlapping, unthreaded bore is engaged with a lead screw. The larger bore overlaps the threaded bore so that effectively a half-nut results. The half-nut comprises a face having an acute angle in relation to the lead screw and this angled face contacts the inside of a bearing block within which the half-nut is mounted. The bearing block is slidably mounted on a C-tube which is mounted around and extends along a predetermined length of the lead screw. Also mounted on the C-tube is an arm for transmitting the linear motion of the bearing block to a remote point such as the plunger of a syringe. The arm is coupled to the bearing block at points selected so that transmission to the arm of any wobbling of the bearing block is reduced. The arm includes a lever which engages a cam formed on the half-nut to force the half nut to disengage from the lead screw when the arm is to be moved to a new location on the lead screw.