Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a multipurpose microphone for hearing devices. A hearing assistance device includes a first housing configured to be worn above an ear of a wearer and a second housing configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer. The device also includes a cable configured to connect to the first housing at a first end and to the second housing at the second end, and a microphone at the second end of the cable, the microphone including an input port facing an acoustic channel. A switch is provided in the acoustic channel, the switch having a first position such that acoustic input to the microphone is received from an inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a second position such that acoustic input to the microphone is received from an area outside the ear of the wearer.

Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least section wise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.

Abstract: Examples of this disclosure relate to an accessory device for a hearing instrument. The accessory device comprises a connector tip that comprises a first wire segment and a second wire segment. The first and second wire segments are electrically conductive and electrically insulated from each other. The connector tip also comprises a first set of bristles and a second set of bristles. The first and second sets of bristles are electrically conductive. The first set of bristles is electrically connected to the first wire segment and electrically insulated from the second wire segment. The second set of bristles is electrically connected to the second wire segment and electrically insulated from the first wire segment. The first set of bristles is spaced sufficiently far from the second set of bristles as to prevent a short circuit between the first and second sets of bristles.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: A method for activating a catalyst is described comprising the steps of: (i) installing a reduced and passivated catalyst containing crystallites of a catalytic metal comprising nickel, cobalt or iron in elemental form encapsulated by a layer comprising an oxide of the catalytic metal in a reactor, such as a steam methane reforming reactor, in which it is to be used, and (ii) heating the reduced and passivated catalyst in the reactor under a vacuum or an inert gas to a temperature in the range (TT?X) to (TT+Y), where TT is the Tammann temperature of the catalytic metal in elemental form in degrees Centigrade, X is 400 and Y is 200, to form a catalytically active surface on the catalyst without requiring the application of a reducing gas.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing compounds derived from triglycerides or condensation polymers such as polyesters and/or polyamides. The methods may include subjecting triglyceride or condensation polymer containing matter to mechanical processing in the presence of a nucleophile.

Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new and improved paper-based container. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper-based container that is comprised of a relatively low-density polyethylene coating on one or both surfaces of the container and at least two skive flaps, wherein each of said skive flaps is created during the manufacturing process. The skive flap further comprises at least one leading edge of the container body, and prevents unwanted moisture from entering the container and the contents of the container from saturating the paper-based material. One skive flap is preferably folded in a manner in which a portion of the outside surface of the container is adhered to the inside surface, a second skive flap is adhered to the outside surface and a third skive is formed at the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid formulation product comprising steps of: positioning a platform into a cup comprising an open end comprising a skirt, such that the platform is at least partially received by the cup; then filing the cup with liquid formulation to a predetermined level such that the platform is at least partially submerged in the liquid formulation; solidifying the liquid formulation in the cup to form a solid formulation; once the solid formulation is formed, deforming then releasing the skirt.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a dose selector, a housing, and a ratchet with a gear element comprising a plurality of gear teeth connected with the dose selector and a pawl element rotationally constrained to the housing comprising at least one pawl tooth. The at least one pawl tooth engages with the gear teeth and is located opposite to the gear teeth. One of the gear element and the pawl element moves forth and back relative to the other element of the gear and pawl elements along a first direction for de-engagement and re-engagement of the opposite gear teeth and at least one pawl tooth when the gear element rotates relative to the housing during dose setting using the dose selector. The pawl element and/or gear element comprises a noise reduction characteristic at a surface which dampens the noise produced.

Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.

Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new and improved paper-based container. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper-based container that is comprised of a relatively low-density polyethylene coating on one or both surfaces of the container and at least two skive flaps, wherein each of said skive flaps is created during the manufacturing process. The skive flap further comprises at least one leading edge of the container body, and prevents unwanted moisture from entering the container and the contents of the container from saturating the paper-based material. One skive flap is preferably folded in a manner in which a portion of the outside surface of the container is adhered to the inside surface, and a second skive flap is adhered to the outside surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new and improved paper-based container. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper-based container that is comprised of a relatively low-density polyethylene coating on one or both surfaces of the container and at least two skive flaps, wherein each of said skive flaps is created during the manufacturing process. The skive flap further comprises at least one leading edge of the container body, and prevents unwanted moisture from entering the container and the contents of the container from saturating the paper-based material. One skive flap is preferably folded in a manner in which a portion of the outside surface of the container is adhered to the inside surface, a second skive flap is adhered to the outside surface and a third skive is formed at the bottom of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new and improved paper-based container. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper-based container that is comprised of a relatively low-density polyethylene coating on one or both surfaces of the container and at least two skive flaps, wherein each of said skive flaps is created during the manufacturing process. The skive flap further comprises at least one leading edge of the container body, and prevents unwanted moisture from entering the container and the contents of the container from saturating the paper-based material. One skive flap is preferably folded in a manner in which a portion of the outside surface of the container is adhered to the inside surface, and a second skive flap is adhered to the outside surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides rapid, convenient and sensitive means to detect low abundance target Gram negative bacteria such as Salmonella contamination from a range of samples, including food samples and environmental samples, through a single-step culture method and downstream sensitive detection.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a dose selector, a housing, and a ratchet with a gear element comprising a plurality of gear teeth connected with the dose selector and a pawl element rotationally constrained to the housing comprising at least one pawl tooth. The at least one pawl tooth engages with the gear teeth and is located opposite to the gear teeth. One of the gear element and the pawl element moves forth and back relative to the other element of the gear and pawl elements along a first direction for de-engagement and re-engagement of the opposite gear teeth and at least one pawl tooth when the gear element rotates relative to the housing during dose setting using the dose selector.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device, comprises a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle coupled with a button, a rotationally drivable expelling mechanism, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and comprising a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions, wherein via the rotatable element, the clutch element is adapted to transmit a torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage or from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism, and wherein the ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, and wherein the drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks by a flexible impact portion in the area of the clutch element.

Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.