Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a vascular access device for introducing a catheter in a blood vessel using a guide advancing mechanism. The device generally comprises a housing, an introducer needle, a catheter, a guide wire and an actuating means. The introducer needle of the vascular access device is used to penetrate the blood vessel. The actuating means is then initiated and the guide wire is steadily propelled into the blood vessel. Once the guide wire is in place, the catheter, which is concentrically placed over the introducer needle and guide wire, is uncoupled from the vascular access device and guided into the blood vessel by the guide wire.
Abstract:
An illumination device comprises a housing, a power supply and at least one light source powered by the power supply. The at least one light source is adapted to emit radiation from the housing at one or more therapeutic wavelengths. The illumination device is positioned in proximity to an area for applying radiation to the area for a time and intensity sufficient to have a bacteriocidal effect.
Abstract:
A portable lubricant filtration system and method is provided for facile pre-filtering of used or new lubricant prior to pumping the lubricant into its intended machinery.
Abstract:
An earbud headset, a handset including the same, and methods of operating the headset and handset are provided. In one embodiment, an earbud headset includes a speaker portion that is retractable into and extendable from a base portion, thereby allowing for a thin profile form factor. Advantageously, the earbud headset allows for more convenient storage and/or integration with a handset such that a user may carry the handset and headset much like a single item.
Abstract:
Wireless systems having a plurality of physically and electrically-separated data sinks. An exemplary wireless system includes first and second data sinks having no physical or electrical connection therebetween. The first and second data sinks each include a wireless communication device, e.g., a radio frequency (RF) receiver or transceiver configured to receive data signals over one or more single-access wireless links or over a multi-access wireless link. The first and second data sinks in exemplary embodiments may comprise audio data sinks, e.g., stereo speakers, left-ear and right-ear earphones (e.g., earbuds or canalphones), left-ear and right-ear circum-aural over-the-ear headphones, etc. At least one of the first and second data sinks may also be coupled to a wireless transmitter and accompanying data source (e.g., a microphone or sensor), so as to provide, for example, two-way communications between a user and an external data device (e.g., a cellular telephone).