Abstract: The methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to controlling noise and performance associated with a vacuum system for retrieving and dispensing dispensable units, such as pills. By way of example and not limitation, such methods may be useful for addressing the particular challenges associated with automated dispensing of pills (or other dispensable units) in environments—such as many household or point-of-care environments—that are sensitive to noise and/or in environments in which the retrieval device is generally operated by users without specialized training in maintaining the retrieval device.

Abstract: A system for dispensing pills may include a plurality of containers, a retrieval arm movable into the plurality of containers to retrieve contents from the plurality of containers, a carrier supporting the plurality of containers, the carrier movable to adjust positions of the plurality of containers relative to a predetermined position, and a weighing assembly. The weighing assembly may include an actuator and a weight sensor. The actuator may be actuatable to control mechanical communication between the weight sensor and one of the plurality of containers at the predetermined position, and the weight sensor may be operable to measure weight of the one of the plurality of containers in mechanical communication with the weight sensor at the predetermined position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of clearing clogs in nibs used for vacuum retrieval of dispensable units are described. For example, a system may include a container having a side surface, a base, and a protrusion. To facilitate dislodging debris from the nib, the nib may be positioned into contact with a protrusion in a volume at least partially defined by the side surface and the base. Further, or instead, because the contact between the nib and the protrusion occurs within the volume, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the likelihood of collecting debris that has been removed from the nib.

Abstract: A method for drying a gas sample comprises flowing purge gas over the exterior of tubes of a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane and flowing the gas sample through interior of tubes, wherein the drying operation is conducted under deep vacuum and with the purge gas flowing at a rate that is typically less than that of the gas sample being dried.

Abstract: A system for humidifying oxygen for low-flow oxygen therapy includes a volume-adaptable water reservoir that contains, in addition to water, a water-vapor-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A hybrid cooler/dryer that conditions a sample gas includes a heat exchanger, a condensate-removal device, and a membrane dryer. In some embodiments, the hybrid cooler/dryer also includes passive cooling, as embodied by an air amplifier and heat sink, or a length of tubing that exposes the sample gas to ambient temperature. The hybrid cooler/dryer requires no electrical power.

Abstract: A portable sampling system includes a heated probe, an input/output (“I/O”) system, and one membrane dryer in the form of a conduit that couples the probe to the I/O system. The dryer has purge gas flowing over the drying membrane and a gas sample flowing through the drying membrane, which is in the form of tubes of a perfluorosulfonic acid material, and wherein the dryer is operated in some embodiments under deep vacuum and with the purge gas flowing at a rate that is typically less than that of the gas sample being dried.

Abstract: A system for humidifying oxygen for low-flow oxygen therapy includes a volume-adaptable water reservoir that contains, in addition to water, a water-vapor-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A hybrid cooler/dryer that conditions a sample gas includes a heat exchanger, a condensate-removal device, and a membrane dryer. In some embodiments, the hybrid cooler/dryer also includes passive cooling, as embodied by an air amplifier and heat sink, or a length of tubing that exposes the sample gas to ambient temperature. The hybrid cooler/dryer requires no electrical power.

Abstract: A portable sampling system includes a heated probe, an input/output (“I/O”) system, and one membrane dryer in the form of a conduit that couples the probe to the I/O system. The dryer has purge gas flowing over the drying membrane and a gas sample flowing through the drying membrane, which is in the form of tubes of a perfluorosulfonic acid material, and wherein the dryer is operated in some embodiments under deep vacuum and with the purge gas flowing at a rate that is typically less than that of the gas sample being dried.

Abstract: A method for drying a gas sample comprises flowing purge gas over the exterior of tubes of a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane and flowing the gas sample through interior of tubes, wherein the drying operation is conducted under deep vacuum and with the purge gas flowing at a rate that is typically less than that of the gas sample being dried.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for manufacturing pump-heads having a housing enclosing at least one rotary member. In an exemplary method first and second housing portions are provided that collectively, when assembled, define a pump-cavity that accommodates the rotary member(s). The rotary member(s) is assembled into the pump-cavity, along with at least one soluble spacer of a defined thickness that corresponds to a desired clearance of the rotary member relative to the pump-cavity. The spacer contacts a surface of the rotary member facing a corresponding surface of the housing portion. The first and second housing portions are attached together to form the pump-cavity containing the rotary member(s). The soluble spacer is dissolved to provide the desired clearance of the rotary member in the pump-cavity. As the housing portions are attached together, e.g., by adhesive bonding, the spacer establishes the desired clearance of the rotary member(s) in the pump-cavity.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for manufacturing pump-heads having a housing enclosing at least one rotary member. In an exemplary method first and second housing portions are provided that collectively, when assembled, define a pump-cavity that accommodates the rotary member(s). The rotary member(s) is assembled into the pump-cavity, along with at least one soluble spacer of a defined thickness that corresponds to a desired clearance of the rotary member relative to the pump-cavity. The spacer contacts a surface of the rotary member facing a corresponding surface of the housing portion. The first and second housing portions are attached together to form the pump-cavity containing the rotary member(s). The soluble spacer is dissolved to provide the desired clearance of the rotary member in the pump-cavity. As the housing portions are attached together, e.g. by adhesive bonding, the spacer establishes the desired clearance of the rotary member(s) in the pump-cavity.

Abstract: A cartridge apparatus includes a media cassette, face plate and a locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism includes a lock bar, a first post and a second post, and is configured to lock and unlock a cartridge during insertion in a printer.

Abstract: A combination cartridge apparatus includes a housing, an inkjet pen and a media cartridge. The combination cartridge is configured to hold the inkjet pen and media cassette adjacent to each other external of a printer. The inkjet pen and media cassette are configured to separate when the cartridge is installed in a printer and to rejoin when the cartridge is withdrawn from the printer.

Abstract: An inkjet consumable cartridge having an inkjet cartridge having nozzles. The inkjet consumable cartridge also has an inkjet cartridge holding device for holding the inkjet cartridge, a cap configured to interface with the inkjet cartridge, and a cap actuator that, when actuated, moves the cap from a position where the cap does not interface with the inkjet cartridge to a position where the cap interfaces with the inkjet cartridge sealingly covering the nozzles. Furthermore, the consumable cartridge is removable from a printer as a self-contained unit.