Abstract: A pod for preparing a beverage comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid sidewall; a rigid or semi-rigid upper surface containing one more apertures forming an inlet of the pod; a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod; the sidewall, upper surface and lower surface together defining a storage volume extending from the inlet to the outlet and containing a water-soluble composition, or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein the rigid or semi-rigid sidewall maintains a physical separation of the filtering material and the upper surface during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, pod and method for preparing a beverage containing extract from a water infusible ingredient and, in one preferred embodiment, provides: a system for preparing a beverage comprising: at least one compartment defining a storage volume for containing, or for receiving a pod containing, an extraction ingredient of roast and ground coffee for forming a beverage; and one or more jetting apertures arranged for jetting in use a liquid into the at least one compartment, wherein: the system operates in use at a pressure of less than 8.5×105 Pa (8.5 bar); at least one of the one or more jetting apertures delivers in use a jet of liquid which impacts the extraction ingredient of roast and ground coffee at a speed in the range of 15 to 500×10?2 m/s (15 to 500 cm/s); and the one or more jetting apertures comprise a total cross sectional area less than 16×10?6 m2 (16 mm2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible pad (10) for preparing a beverage comprising: a flexible bag defining a storage volume (13); the storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein at least a part of the flexible bag is formed from a flexible water-impermeable thin sheet material (11, 12), wherein said flexible water-impermeable thin sheet material comprises one or more apertures (40, 41) defining an inlet or an outlet of the storage volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pod for preparing a beverage comprising: a lower compartment (31) defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; the lower compartment comprising an upper surface (27) containing one or more apertures (25) forming an inlet of the lower compartment (31) and a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material (12), the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod; the pod further comprising an open-topped upper compartment (21) above the lower compartment (31) which defines a chamber suitable for receiving one or more flexible pads containing one or more beverage ingredients; wherein an outlet of the chamber of the upper compartment communicates with the inlet of the lower compartment, wherein the apertures (25) of the inlet of the lower compartment are arranged for showering and or jetting in use water into the lower compartment (31).

Abstract: A flexible pad for preparing a beverage comprising: a filter bag defining a storage volume; the storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein the storage volume further contains a plurality of non-soluble absorbent particles having a particle size, before use, of 25 microns to 10 mm.

Abstract: A pad for preparing a beverage comprising: an upper part comprising a rigid or semi-rigid upper element containing one or more apertures forming an inlet of the pad; a flexible lower element depending from the upper part and formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pad; the upper part and lower element together defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage, wherein the upper part comprises a flexible water-impermeable layer joined to the rigid or semi-rigid upper element.

Abstract: A nutrient delivery device (10) for the delivery of nutrient in the form of a dissolvable fertiliser. The device includes a nutrient receiving chamber (16) which has an inlet at one end for receiving water from a water supply and an outlet at the other end. A filter (18) is provided at the outlet to prevent undissolved nutrient from flowing out to the outlet. In use, water flows through a valve assembly (14) such as a vacuum nutrient from flowing out of the outlet. In use, water flows through a valve assembly (14) such as a vacuum breaker positioned at the inlet to prevent any backflow of water and the water at least partially dissolves the nutrient source in the form of a plurality of prills within the chamber and then flows through the filter to the outlet. The filter comprises an elongate tube member having perforations (32) along the surface and has a conical cap (30) disposed within a path of the water flowing in from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising a compartment containing the one or more beverage ingredients, the compartment comprising a plurality of inlet apertures for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the compartment and a plurality of outlet apertures for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a proportion of the inlet apertures are out of alignment with the outlet apertures such that at least a proportion of the aqueous medium entering the compartment through the inlet apertures is forced to circulate within the compartment before exiting the compartment through the outlet apertures, characterised in that the inlet apertures are arranged around the periphery of the compartment.

Abstract: The control of fluid introduction into and out of body conduits such as vessels, is of great concern in medicine. As the development of more particular treatments to vessels and organs continues it is apparent that controlled introduction and removal of fluids is necessary. Fluid delivery and removal from such sites, usually referred to as irrigation and aspiration, using fluid exchange devices that control also need to be considerate of potential volume and/or pressure in the vessel or organ are described together with catheter and lumen configurations to achieve the fluid exchange. The devices include several electrically or mechanically controlled embodiments and produce both controlled and localized flow with defined volume exchange ratios for fluid management. The applications in medicine include diagnostic, therapeutic, imaging, and uses for the introduction or removal of concentrations of emboli within body cavities.

Abstract: Solid materials are separated from hollow body structure aspirates using a filter assembly disposed between an aspiration catheter and an aspirate receptacle. Filter elements having different pore or mesh sizes may be used to size classify the separated solid materials. Multiple filter assemblies may be disposed in parallel or series between the aspiration catheter and aspirate receptacle to provide for different levels of size classification.

Abstract: The control of fluid introduction into and out of body conduits such as vessels, is of great concern in medicine. As the development of more particular treatments to vessels and organs continues it is apparent that controlled introduction and removal of fluids is necessary. Fluid delivery and removal from such sites, usually referred to as irrigation and aspiration, using fluid exchange devices that control also need to be considerate of potential volume and/or pressure in the vessel or organ are described together with catheter and lumen configurations to achieve the fluid exchange. The devices include several electrically or mechanically controlled embodiments and produce both controlled and localized flow with defined volume exchange ratios for fluid management. The applications in medicine include diagnostic, therapeutic, imaging, and uses for the introduction or removal of concentrations of emboli within body cavities.

Abstract: The control of fluid introduction into and out of body conduits such as vessels, is of great concern in medicine. As the development of more particular treatments to vessels and organs continues it is apparent that controlled introduction and removal of fluids is necessary. Fluid delivery and removal from such sites, usually referred to as irrigation and aspiration, using fluid exchange devices that control also need to be considerate of potential volume and/or pressure in the vessel or organ are described together with catheter and lumen configurations to achieve the fluid exchange. The devices include several electrically or mechanically controlled embodiments and produce both controlled and localized flow with defined volume exchange ratios for fluid management. The applications in medicine include diagnostic, therapeutic, imaging, and uses for the introduction or removal of concentrations of emboli within body cavities.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for effective removal of emboli or harmful fluids during vascular procedures, such as angiography, balloon angioplasty, stent deployment, laser angioplasty, atherectomy, intravascular ultrasonography and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. A catheter with an occluder mounted at its distal end creates an occlusion proximal to the lesion. The catheter provides a pathway for introducing a treatment catheter. Prior to, during or subsequent to the procedure, suction is activated to establish retrograde flow to remove emboli from the site. Additionally, a thin catheter with a distal fluid ejection nozzle may be introduced distal to the treatment site to rinse emboli from the treatment site. The suction flow and/or ejected fluid flow may be varied in a pulsatile manner to simulate regular blood flow and/or perturb settled emboli into being captured that may otherwise not be collected.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising a compartment containing the one or more beverage ingredients, the compartment comprising a plurality of inlet apertures for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the compartment and a plurality of outlet apertures for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a proportion of the inlet apertures are out of alignment with the outlet apertures such that at least a proportion of the aqueous medium entering the compartment through the inlet apertures is forced to circulate within the compartment before exiting the compartment through the outlet apertures, characterised in that the inlet apertures are arranged around the periphery of the compartment.