Abstract: An inhalation device includes an ejector head having one or more drop generator(s). A reservoir, adapted to contain a pharmaceutically active ingredient therein, is in selective fluid communication with the drop generator(s). Electronic circuitry is in electronic communication with, and operatively controls the drop generator(s). Further, the electronic circuitry is responsive to either a predetermined fault condition or an operational condition. The electronic circuitry deactivates the drop generator(s) in response to the predetermined fault condition, and the electronic circuitry activates the drop generator(s) in response to the operational condition.

Abstract: A method of making a pharmaceutically active ingredient abuse-prevention device includes providing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and providing an antagonist of the pharmaceutically active ingredient. The antagonist is in selective fluid communication with the pharmaceutically active ingredient. Electronic circuitry is configured to selectively operate the fluid communication between the antagonist and the pharmaceutically active ingredient so as to mix the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist upon recognition of one or more predetermined fault conditions. Mixing the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist renders the pharmaceutically active ingredient substantially ineffective.

Abstract: A silicon die having an orifice layer with plural openings formed therein defines a drop ejection device for use in a handheld inhaler. An underlying control layer defines fluid chambers, each carrying a heat transducer. A control system energizes selected heat transducers to heat fluid in the chambers, vaporizing the fluid, which is ejected through the orifices in small droplets.

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a thermal drop generator ejector head. Medication is maintained in a pressurized container connected to a valve under the control of control electronics and to a compliant chamber. Fluid flows from the container to the chamber and to the ejector head. In a first mode the dispenser is operable to dispense aerosolized medication. In a second mode the ejector head is purged with fluid from the container to maintain the ejector head.

Abstract: A medicament dispenser that includes a medicament supply, an ejector, and a controller configured to actuate the ejector, where the controller is configured to use an operational parameter to produce a plurality of medicament drops having a target drop characteristic, and the operational parameter includes a correction factor that is based on a performance characteristic of the ejector.

Abstract: An inhalation system is disclosed that, in an exemplary embodiment, includes an ejector that ejects medicated droplets during an activation event, a conduit fluidically coupled to the ejector and configured to transport the droplets to a patient during an in-breath, and a particle detection system configured to determine whether the droplets have properly passed through the conduit and to the patient during an activation event. Also disclosed are methods for detecting particles in an inhaler system, with an exemplary method including generating a dose of medicament particles from an inhaler system; detecting particles emitted in the inhaler system; and determining if a desired particle flux has been achieved for inhalation by a patient.

Abstract: Inhaler systems and method of use thereof are disclosed. One exemplary inhaler system, among others, includes an inhalation/exhalation structure including an inhalation/exhalation orifice. In addition, the inhaler system includes a medicament supply system having a medicament ejector disposed adjacent the inhalation/exhalation orifice. The medicament supply system controllably ejects medicament droplets from the medicament ejector. Further, the inhaler system includes a flow control system in fluidic communication with the medicament ejector. The flow control system is configured to entrain the medicament droplets and pass the medicament droplets to the inhalation/exhalation orifice when the patient applies an in-breath to the inhalation/exhalation structure. In addition, the flow control system is configured to impede a flow of air from the inhalation/exhalation orifice to the medicament ejector when the patient applies an out-breath into the inhalation/exhalation structure.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a printhead including a flat panel substrate made of a non-crystalline material, an array of inkjet drop generators formed onto the flat panel substrate to define an inkjet printhead and thin film transistors formed on the flat panel substrate that are electrically coupled to the array of ink jet drop generators.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dissolution rate of a bioactive agent includes selecting a desired dot topography corresponding to a target dissolution rate and applying a bioactive agent to a delivery substrate to form dots having the desired dot topography on the delivery substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dissolution rate of a bioactive agent includes selecting a desired dot size corresponding to a target dissolution rate, and applying a bioactive agent to a delivery substrate in drops of solution configured to form dots having the desired dot size on the delivery substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dissolution rate of a bioactive agent includes applying a first drop of solution carrying the bioactive agent at a first selected location on a delivery substrate, and positioning a second drop of solution carrying the bioactive agent at a second selected location on the delivery substrate, wherein the location of the first drop and the location of the second drop are selected based on a target dissolution rate.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers. The at least two electronic devices may include 1) a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of fluid in the chamber, and 2) an other electronic device configured to sense or modify a property of fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for microfluidic processing and/or analysis of samples. The systems include a microfluidic device having a substrate and a thin-film layer formed on the substrate. The thin-film layer may be included in electronics formed on the substrate. The electronics may provide electronic devices configured to sense or modify a property of the sample. The thin-film layer defines an opening for routing movement of fluid and/or sample within the device.

Abstract: This present invention is embodied in a large array printhead having a large array of thin-film ink drop generators formed on a single monolithic substrate. The large array printhead includes a multiplexing device to reduce parasitic resistance and the number of incoming leads. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is initially patterned and etched and the multiplexing device is attached to the substrate at a later time. The present invention also includes methods of fabricating a plurality of large array printhead embodiments using a single monolithic substrate made of a suitable material, preferably having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: This present invention is embodied in a large array printhead having a large array of thin-film ink drop generators formed on a single monolithic substrate. The large array printhead includes a multiplexing device to reduce parasitic resistance and the number of incoming leads. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is initially patterned and etched and the multiplexing device is attached to the substrate at a later time. The present invention also includes methods of fabricating a plurality of large array printhead embodiments using a single monolithic substrate made of a suitable material, preferably having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A method for making a self-aligned FET with an electrically active mask comprises the steps of forming a semiconductor layer on an insulating substrate, forming an electrically nonconductive oxide layer on the semiconductor layer, forming an electrically conductive metal layer on the oxide layer, patterning the metal layer and the oxide layer to form an electrically active gate on semiconductor layer, introducing dopants into the semiconductor layer to form a source region and a drain region masked by the metal gate, and illuminating the source and the drain regions with a pulsed excimer laser having a wavelength from about 150 nm to 350 nm to anneal the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing reentrant (pointing or directed inward) shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A layer of graded dielectric material is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A masked photoimagable material is deposited upon the graded dielectric material and exposed to electromagnetic energy such that a patterned photoimagable material is created. The patterned photoimagable material is developed to unveil the graded dielectric material which is then anisotropically etched. The bore in the graded dielectric material is then isotropically etched to complete the creation of holes in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing reentrant (pointing or directed inward) shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A layer of graded dielectric material is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A masked photoimagable material is deposited upon the graded dielectric material and exposed to electromagnetic energy such that a patterned photoimagable material is created. The patterned photoimagable material is developed to unveil the graded dielectric material which is then anisotropically etched. The bore in the graded dielectric material is then isotropically etched to complete the creation of holes in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing reentrant (pointing or directed inward) shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A layer of graded dielectric material is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A masked photoimagable material is deposited upon the graded dielectric material and exposed to electromagnetic energy such that a patterned photoimagable material is created. The patterned photoimagable material is developed to unveil the graded dielectric material which is then anisotropically etched. The bore in the graded dielectric material is then isotropically etched to complete the creation of holes in the substrate.

Abstract: A high-durability printhead for an ink cartridge printing system. The printhead includes a substrate having ink ejectors (e.g. resistors) thereon and an orifice plate positioned above the substrate. The orifice plate has a top surface, bottom surface, and a plurality of openings therethrough. The orifice plate is optimally produced from a non-metallic organic polymeric composition. To improve the durability, heat-stability, and ink resistance of the printhead, an intermediate layer manufactured from a thermoplastic polyimide is employed between the orifice plate and the ink ejector-containing substrate. This particular system generally improves the structural integrity of the printhead and provides longer cartridge life.