Abstract: A medicament delivery device may comprise a medicament chamber configured to hold a medicament, a plunger configured to move relative to the medicament chamber to expel the medicament from the medicament chamber, a pin configured to move from a first pin position wherein the pin prevents movement of the plunger to a second pin position wherein the pin allows movement of the plunger, an actuation assembly configured to move the pin from the first pin position to the second pin position, and a needle coupled to the medicament chamber. The medicament may flow through the needle from the medicament chamber to a user. The actuation assembly may be configured to automatically move the pin after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A medicament delivery assembly comprises a delivery device configured to deliver medicament to a user, a communication accessory releasably coupled to the delivery device, and one or more sensors configured to sense a condition of the delivery device. The communication accessory may be configured to receive a first signal from the one or more sensors assembly and to send a second signal to an external device.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device may comprise a medicament chamber configured to hold a medicament, a plunger configured to move relative to the medicament chamber to expel the medicament from the medicament chamber, a pin configured to move from a first pin position wherein the pin prevents movement of the plunger to a second pin position wherein the pin allows movement of the plunger, an actuation assembly configured to move the pin from the first pin position to the second pin position, and a needle coupled to the medicament chamber. The medicament may flow through the needle from the medicament chamber to a user. The actuation assembly may be configured to automatically move the pin after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A medicament delivery assembly comprises a delivery device configured to deliver medicament to a user, a communication accessory releasably coupled to the delivery device, and one or more sensors configured to sense a condition of the delivery device. The communication accessory may be configured to receive a first signal from the one or more sensors assembly and to send a second signal to an external device.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device may comprise a medicament chamber configured to hold a medicament, a plunger configured to move relative to the medicament chamber to expel the medicament from the medicament chamber, a pin configured to move from a first pin position wherein the pin prevents movement of the plunger to a second pin position wherein the pin allows movement of the plunger, an actuation assembly configured to move the pin from the first pin position to the second pin position, and a needle coupled to the medicament chamber. The medicament may flow through the needle from the medicament chamber to a user. The actuation assembly may be configured to automatically move the pin after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device may comprise a medicament chamber configured to hold a medicament, a plunger configured to move relative to the medicament chamber to expel the medicament from the medicament chamber, a pin configured to move from a first pin position wherein the pin prevents movement of the plunger to a second pin position wherein the pin allows movement of the plunger, an actuation assembly configured to move the pin from the first pin position to the second pin position, and a needle coupled to the medicament chamber. The medicament may flow through the needle from the medicament chamber to a user. The actuation assembly may be configured to automatically move the pin after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for liquid control are provided. A liquid control apparatus may be for selectively treating and/or substituting a liquid flow from at least one of a plurality of supply lines. The ultimate liquid flow is for dispensing to a user by way of a liquid supply fixture such as a tap. The apparatus comprises a liquid conditioning module for connection in-line with at least one of the plurality of supply lines. The liquid conditioning module receives a diverted liquid flow of the at least one supply line from an upstream portion of the supply line. It then outputs a selectively treated and/or substituted liquid flow for returning to a downstream portion of the supply line for dispensing to the user. The apparatus has at least one flow sensor, each flow sensor associated with one of the plurality of supply lines. It has a controller, the controller configured to receive information indicative of the liquid flow of at least one of the plurality of supply lines from the at least one flow sensor.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device may comprise a medicament chamber configured to hold a medicament, a plunger configured to move relative to the medicament chamber to expel the medicament from the medicament chamber, a pin configured to move from a first pin position wherein the pin prevents movement of the plunger to a second pin position wherein the pin allows movement of the plunger, an actuation assembly configured to move the pin from the first pin position to the second pin position, and a needle coupled to the medicament chamber. The medicament may flow through the needle from the medicament chamber to a user. The actuation assembly may be configured to automatically move the pin after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A medicament delivery assembly comprises a delivery device configured to deliver medicament to a user, a communication accessory releasably coupled to the delivery device, and one or more sensors configured to sense a condition of the delivery device. The communication accessory may be configured to receive a first signal from the one or more sensors assembly and to send a second signal to an external device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for disinfecting and/or filtering fluids, such as water, are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a method of providing treated fluid, comprising acts of receiving the fluid into a chamber, filtering the fluid of particulate matter and/or chemicals within the chamber, disinfecting the fluid with an ultraviolet light source within the chamber, and dispensing the fluid from the chamber. Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a light source, such as a light source used for ultraviolet disinfection, are also disclosed. Another embodiment is directed to an improved-efficiency ultraviolet disinfection device, comprising a chamber, and a black body radiator disposed therein and adapted to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum. At least a portion of the chamber is constructed and arranged to reflect an amount of emitted light that is sufficient to cause regenerative heating of the black body radiator back toward the black body radiator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a successful sterilization or disinfection of an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, an object to be sterilized or disinfected by an ultraviolet sterilization/disinfection device comprises material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object through exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods of sterilizing or disinfecting an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises introducing at least a first portion of an object into a sterilizer/disinfector, sealing light within the sterilizer/disinfector using at least a second portion of the object to form a light seal, and automatically, upon detection of completion of the light seal to a certain degree, flashing ultraviolet light onto the at least first portion of the object within the sterilizer/disinfector.

Abstract: An improved indication of a condition of an ear of a subject, such as a human or other mammal, is provided by combining two or more measurements such as body temperature, detection of fluid in the ear (for example by acoustic reflectance), and/or a characteristic of any fluid in the ear. Results of any two of these measurements may be combined to provide improved diagnostic information. The combination of measured body temperature and a determined likelihood that fluid is present in the ear provides improved diagnostic information regarding the risk of an ear infection. In particular, if a subject has an elevated body temperature and the likelihood is high that fluid is present in the ear, an indication of a risk of ear infection may be provided by the device. The presence of fluid may be detected using acoustic reflectometry, tympanometry, pneumatic otoscopy, otoacoustic emissions or other mechanism.

Abstract: A device provides an indication of a condition of an ear by combining measurements of temperature in the ear, acoustic reflectance of the ear, and/or a characteristic of any fluid in the ear. Any two of these measurements may be combined in the same device to provide improved diagnostic information. For example, chemical sensing of fluid may be combined with acoustic reflectometry or temperature sensing, or both, to provide improved diagnosis of ear pathologies. Acoustic reflectometry also may be combined with temperature sensing. Chemical sensing determines a characteristic of the fluid, such as whether a bacterium or a virus is present. The device may provide diagnostic information from sensed characteristics of the fluid, measured acoustic reflectance and/or measured temperature to indicate the risk of an ear infection. For example, the device may determine if any fluid present is infected. The device also may identify bacteria in the fluid.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer and acoustic reflectometer are combined in the same device. The combined instrumentation can be used to improve alignment between a device and the tympanic membrane, thus improving the accuracy of measurements. In addition, the device can provide diagnostic information based on both the measured temperature and the determined likelihood that fluid is present in the middle of the ear, to indicate the risk of an ear infection. The medical instrument analyzes an ear of a subject, using an acoustic reflectometer and a radiation thermometer. The acoustic reflectometer includes an acoustic transducer for generating acoustic waves at a plurality of frequencies and a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal corresponding to acoustic signals reflected from the ear to provide an output signal. The radiation sensor detects thermal radiation from the ear and provides a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance directs acoustic energy for a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of the object being analyzed. The device detects waves reflected by the object to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The electronic signal applied to an acoustic transducer at each frequency is gradually increased in amplitude to a desired amplitude. After applying the signal for a period of time at the desired amplitude, the amplitude is gradually decreased. This technique reduces noise that would otherwise occur if a signal of the desired amplitude was applied directly. The signal applied to the acoustic transducer also may be scaled according to a measured response of the device to open air, i.e., without any expected reflectance. Normalizing the signal applied to the acoustic transducer rather than the signal received from a microphone increases the dynamic range of the device.