Abstract: An apparatus for filling finely powdered material into a long and narrow cavity or hole having a relatively small opening is provided. The apparatus features a discharge port for a particulate laden gas stream directed toward the opening of the hole to be filled but spaced apart from the opening of the cavity to be filled by a gap, so that in operation the powdered material continues across the gap and into the cavity due to its inertia while the gas escapes through the gap.

Abstract: A holding device for medication containers of essentially any size or shape provides the patient with the last time the medicine was taken and includes a housing with a cylindrical cup shape opening with a micro switch member extending through an access opening into the cavity form one side of the opening. Individual positioning devices in the form of vertical open cylindrical tubes are sized to fit particular containers with the cylinders positioned proximate the switch member with an opening to allow the switch member to extend into the cylindrical bore opening. A bushing and interlocking tab index the position of each cylindrical tube in the correct position each time the positioning device is inserted into the base section of holding device. The sensor signal that a container is placed in the base is used to provide through numerical display the time the last medication was taken, the elapsed time since that dose and the number of times the medication was accessed in one day.

Abstract: A container for pills and medicines which is child resistant but is also readily accessible to the elderly or infirm is provided. The container features two or more easy to manipulate two position switches having sufficient width or spacing to accommodate swollen fingers.

Abstract: Improved, compact apparatus for use in inhaling pharmaceutical aerosols. The apparatus increases aerosol deposition to the bronchiolus while it limits deposition in the oropharynx. The volumetric flow rate is limited by the use of orifices in the far end of the rigid holding chamber. The invention is also designed to make it easy for the patient to inhale the medication at the proper point in his respiratory cycle. Besides the rigid holding chamber the apparatus of the invention utilizes a unique and compact integrated flow meter to deliver to the patient a volume of unmedicated ambient air before the inhalation of the medicine containing aerosol. When the apparatus is not in use, it folds up, so that some of the integrated flow meter apparatus, and the mouthpiece are located inside the rigid holding chamber thereby minimizing the size of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in inhaling pharmaceutical aerosols. The apparatus includes a mouthpiece and a rigid housing for receiving an aerosolized medicine. The rigid housing has one or more orifices which are spaced from the mouth piece so that flow through the housing is possible but is limited by the orifice(s) to a desired volumetric flow rate. The patient is aided by having the initial velocity of the aerosolized medicine reduced to zero by virtue of the initial delivery of the same to the housing interior, and by having the volumetric flow rate of the inhaled medication maintained below required limits thereby providing the conditions for optimal dosing. Further, the ability of the patient to inhale to total lung capacity with the flow through chamber enhances penetration of aerosolized drug to the lung periphery, and improves the ease of use for the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in inhaling pharmaceutical aerosols. The apparatus comprises a mouthpiece for supplying a pharmaceutical composition to the mouth of a patient, a rigid chamber for holding the aerosol prior to inhalation, the rigid chamber having orifices to limit the flow of air therethrough, and a collapsable chamber from which the patient inhales unmedicated air prior to inhaling the medicated air from the rigid chamber. The apparatus increases medication delivered to the small peripheral bronchi, while it limits deposition in the oropharynx. The patient is aided in inhaling a volume of unmedicated air, after which he automatically begins to receive the aerosolized medication with the inhaled air. The volumetric flow rate of the inhaled medication is kept below required limits for optimal dosing.

Abstract: A non-contacting volume determination method for use on wounds, having a known pattern of lines optically projected onto the volume to be determined. The image of the projection viewed from an angle other than the projection axis, along with the image of a reference volume located near the volume to be determined, are used to accurately determine the unknown volume.

Abstract: An improved integrating accelerometer having a plurality of proof masses adapted to move relative to a casing in response to accelerations of the casing, a temperature compensated damping mechanism, and fluid resistors for extending the temperature operating range and for calibrating.

Abstract: A patient medication use compliance aid which enables the users to readily ascertain the time at which they took a previous dose of medication. A time keeping device is incorporated into a typical container for medicinal products without the need for complicated container construction or complex mechanical parts or expensive electronic circuitry. The time keeping device displays the time and day of the week when the container was last opened by the patient-user and continues to display the same, even after closing of the container, to serve as a reminder. The time keeping device may also be provided with settable alarms to visually or audibly alert the patient as to when the next dose is to be taken.

Abstract: A Peltier effect thermal control sample containment means for an automatic sample holding apparatus used in conjunction with a liquid chromatograph analysis. The apparatus provides for the cooling or heating of a plurality of liquid chromatography samples and the maintenance of said samples at specific temperatures for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A self-calibrating star tracker in which a light signal source located on the detector is reflected into the optics and redirected from the optics back onto the detector. In this manner, movement of the detector or optics from a known position can be sensed and calibration of the instrument can be conducted at any time (i.e., pre-flight or during the mission). The star tracker is contemplated to be used with an inertial guidance system and comprises a detector and optics.

Abstract: A solid state optical scanner comprising a frequency generator that vibrates a sonic transducer which in turn sets up traveling waves in an acousto-optic medium. These waves form regions of compression and rarefaction in the medium causing the medium to act as a Bragg angle grating to an incident light source. Optical lenses and a photo detector are positioned behind the medium. Consequently, the light leaving the medium is diffracted into a single order and focused onto an image plane. A photodetector is placed at the image plane and the signal obtained is processed to develop information to determine the direction from the scanner to the incident light source.

Abstract: A rate sensor comprising a glass annulus filled with an electrolytic fluid. A plurality of electrodes in contact with the electrolyte have an electrical field established between them which in turn starts a flow of ions between the electrodes. When the device is rotated about a predetermined axis the flow of ions between certain electrodes is increased. Electronic means connected to output electrodes senses the change in ion flow and determines the rotational rate of the vehicle upon which the sensor is mounted.