Abstract: A needle assembly including a cover, an inner shield, a needle and a hub assembly is provided. After use, the cover is placed over the distal (patient) end of the needle and the inner shield can be used to cover the proximal (non-patient) end of the needle. The inner shield comprises flexible extensions above its open end to secure the inner shield over the proximal end of a needle in the needle assembly. A needle hub is also provided that eliminates adhesive bumps at the base of the needle and further distributes needle angular bending along an irregular surface, which facilitates proper insertion technique and effective needle length. The hub further includes stanchions or castellations on its edge such that when the patient uses proper injection techniques, the edges of the hub leave a distinctive impression in the skin of a user for a short period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: An epidural needle has an elongate tube and a hub with a proximal end, a distal end, an open passageway having an inside diameter, and a cavity disposed between the proximal end and distal end. The hub is attached to the elongate tube so that a hollow bore of the elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with the open passageway. A resilient member defining an opening therethrough is disposed in the cavity and is axially aligned and in fluid communication with the open passageway. The hub has a clamp with a releasable latch disposed about the resilient member. The clamp is selectively movable between an open position wherein the inner diameter of the resilient member is substantially unaffected and a clamp/latch position wherein the clamp causes a strain to the resilient member and thereby reduces the inner diameter of the opening through the resilient member.

Abstract: A cutting device for trimming a coiled strand, such as an arterial, urinary or other intraluminal stent made from metal or plastic wire, has a pair of articulating arms connected at a pivot joint. One of the arms has a holding jaw for holding the coiled strand. A second of the arms has a jaw with a cutter. The holding jaw has a passageway through which the coiled strand may be threaded to aid in holding the coiled strand for cutting by the cutter. The holding jaw preferably has a guide channel formed by a pair of tapered walls that slide between adjacent turns of the coiled strand. In accordance with a method of the invention, an end of the coiled strand is introduced through the passageway in the holding jaw. The coiled strand is rotated to advance the coiled strand through the passageway until the coiled strand is positioned beneath the cutting jaw at the selected location. The lever portions and the jaw portions are then urged together, cutting the coiled strand at the selected location.

Abstract: A bone anchor for securing sutures or cables within a hole opening in a bone includes a screw element and a washer, which is separate from and independent of the screw element. The end of the cable to be secured within the bone hole opening is knotted or otherwise secured to the washer, thereby isolating the cable from the twisting of the screw element during insertion of the anchoring device into the hole opening in the bone.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: A cutting device for trimming a coiled strand, such as an arterial, urinary or other intraluminal stent made from metal or plastic wire, has a pair of articulating arms connected at a pivot joint. One of the arms has a holding jaw for holding the coiled strand. A second of the arms has a jaw with a cutter. The holding jaw has a passageway through which the coiled strand may be threaded to aid in holding the coiled strand for cutting by the cutter. The holding jaw preferably has a guide channel formed by a pair of tapered walls that slide between adjacent turns of the coiled strand. In accordance with a method of the invention, an end of the coiled strand is introduced through the passageway in the holding jaw. The coiled strand is rotated to advance the coiled strand through the passageway until the coiled strand is positioned beneath the cutting jaw at the selected location. The lever portions and the jaw portions are then urged together, cutting the coiled strand at the selected location.

Abstract: An epidural needle has an elongate tube defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and an axial hollow bore therethrough. The needle has a hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway having an inside diameter therethrough, the hub being attached to the elongate tube so that the hollow bore of the elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with the open passageway. The hub further has a cavity disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the hub. There is a resilient member with an opening therethrough that has an inner diameter disposed in the cavity so that the opening is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with the open passageway. The hub of the epidural needle of the invention has a clamp with a releasable latch disposed about the resilient member.

Abstract: A bone anchor for securing sutures or cables within a hole opening in a bone includes a screw element and a washer, which is separate from and independent of the screw element. The end of the cable to be secured within the bone hole opening is knotted or otherwise secured to the washer, thereby isolating the cable from the twisting of the screw element during insertion of the anchoring device into the hole opening in the bone.

Abstract: An epidural needle has an elongate tube defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and an axial hollow bore therethrough. The needle has a hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway having an inside diameter therethrough, the hub being attached to the elongate tube so that the hollow bore of the elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with the open passageway. The hub further has a cavity disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the hub. There is a resilient member with an opening therethrough that has an inner diameter disposed in the cavity so that the opening is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with the open passageway. The hub of the epidural needle of the invention has a clamp with a releasable latch disposed about the resilient member.

Abstract: An epidural needle has an elongate tube defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and an axial hollow bore having an inside diameter therethrough. The needle has a hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway having an inside diameter substantially similar to the hollow bore therethrough, the distal end of the hub being fixedly attached to the proximal end of the elongate tube so that the hollow bore of the elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with the open passageway. The hub further has a cavity disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the hub. There is a resilient member with an opening therethrough that has an inner diameter substantially similar to the inside diameter of the hollow bore disposed in the cavity so that the opening is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with the open passageway.

Abstract: An air purification system for use with an air conditioning apparatus which includes an air circulation system having supply air flow to a given area and return air flow for drawing air from that area. The air purification system includes an inlet and an outlet. A conduit communicates the inlet with the air circulation system for drawing therefrom a portion of the air passing therethrough. A conduit communicates the outlet with the air circulation system downstream of the inlet for returning the portion of the air back to the circulation system after it has passed through the air purification unit. A superheating conduit also communicates between the inlet and an exhaust of the air conditioning apparatus, such as the chimney of a furnace.

Abstract: A seat armrest assembly which can be moved from an upright to a stowed position is secured to the armrest of a seating unit. The table assembly includes a support bar which extends through a support sleeve having an internal contour. A table portion is attached to the bar at one end and a blocking piece is attached at the other end. A retaining members, secured to the bar intermediate of the ends, is shaped to correspond to the internal contour of the sleeve. In the upright position the retaining member abuts the inner edges of the sleeve to prevent axial rotation of the bar, thus retaining the assembly upright. The assembly is lowered by disengaging the retaining member from the sleeve and rotating the bar-table through 90.degree. to the stowed position.

Abstract: A combination seat and step arrangement for a railway sleeping compartment having components of the seat forming a step or ladder and a seat assembly. The seat includes a lateral part which is hinged upwardly and an upper lateral part of the back rest hinged to swing over the raised lateral part and locked therewith to provide a step alongside the main seating section.

Abstract: A railway passenger car compartment includes an upper berth and a convertible seat. The compartment is provided with a fixture adjacent to the seat which serves as a storage unit, as a ladder to provide access to the upper berth, as an arm rest for the seat, and as an instrument panel for various electrical components.

Abstract: A door retarder to prevent movement of an unlocked railway freight door includes a spring urging a braking cam roller into a pivoted braking shoe that engages a door support rail. An operating handle has a double lobe cam to operate a linkage and move the braking cam roller away from the braking shoe to allow the door to move freely into and from a car door opening when the operating handle is rotated from a normal, upright position. When released, the operating handle returns to the normal position for retarding door movement.

Abstract: A railway passenger sleeping car is provided with standard base compartments communicating with a standard size aisle remotely positioned from the car vestibule. The car includes a vestibule having an enlarged aisle which communicates with an enlarged compartment having an annex for storing special equipment for the handicapped. The vestibule aisle and enlarged compartment are positioned close to the car door openings.