Abstract: A floatable container apparatus for harvesting brine shrimp eggs is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as including a buoyant container assembly having one or more ballast tanks to provide a means for raising and lowering the container in relation to the surface of the water. In addition, the container assembly comprises a collection reservoir having an internal periphery sufficient for collecting a mixture of water, brine shrimp eggs, and other debris. In operation, the container assembly may be partially submerged by introducing water into at least one ballast tank. Accordingly, a openable panel may be disposed in an open position to allow for the introduction of the floating mixture into the collection reservoir. Similarly, after a sufficient quantity of the mixture has been collected, the front panel of the container assembly may be disposed in a closed position which restricts additional fluid passage.

Abstract: A basketball net may be constructed from fabric. Appropriate fabrics may include knit fabrics made from durable materials, such as nylon thread. Monofilament nylon in a knit fabric having perforations manufactured in the fabric, may provide resilient nets capable of stretching in two dimensions. Nets may be constructed in a shape resembling a frustum of a cone. The frustum may be constructed from multiple pieces. Fabric may be laid flat, and cut in tapered pieces, having the fabric oriented in a direction selected to provide the best performance in service. Segments may be hemmed together along more-or-less vertical lines on the edges of the frustum. The net is manufactured of a fabric selected to provide a substantial fraction of its overall area in a surface for receiving an image. However, a substantial portion of the overall area of the fabric of the net may be voids for providing resilient stretching and service.

Abstract: A convertible bench/table container apparatus is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present device as including a support container assembly having an internal storage chamber disposed therein for the purpose of storing children's toys, clothing, blankets, etc. or for use as an ice chest, food receptacle, etc. In preferred construction, the support container assembly may be formed having a base board member and one or more openable seat members to facilitate access to the internal storage chamber of the support container assembly. Preferably, the seat members are hingeably attached at a first end to the base board member and operably disposed in alignment with a raised rim of the upper portion of the support container assembly which provides structural support to the seat members in a closed position.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pressurized aerosol container which has a neutral bias. The valve may be of the metered dose type and is preferably springless. Containers equipped with such valves may be employed in breath actuated dispensing devices with simplified mechanisms since it is not necessary to overcome any biasing force within the valve.

Abstract: A metered dose dispensing valve having a movable agitator in the metering chamber and/or the pre-metering region of the valve.

Abstract: An inhalation device including an aerosol generator for dispensing droplets of liquid medicament comprising a housing defining a liquid receptacle having an opening, a nozzle arrangement comprising a plurality of orifices, vibrating means for vibrating the nozzle arrangement, and means for introducing the liquid medicament on the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement. Control means are also provided for controlling the vibrating means such that when the liquid medicament is introduced on the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement, the nozzle arrangement may be vibrated to cause the liquid to enter the liquid receptacle through the orifices and thereafter be expelled from the orifices through the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement in the form of atomised droplets.

Abstract: A breath-actuated aerosol dispenser having a spring to provide the priming force which is held in a partially compressed state within a cage such that the spring applies no force to an aerosol container, valve, or triggering mechanism included in the dispenser while the dispenser is in its rest position.

Abstract: An inhaler for dispensing droplets of liquid medicament to a patient comprising a body having a mouthpiece or nasal adaptor and a reservoir of liquid medicament in communication with an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator includes a chamber for the liquid medicament and a nozzle arrangement having a plurality of orifices. Means are provided for cyclically pressurizing the liquid medicament in the chamber such that liquid from the chamber is periodically expelled through the orifices of the nozzle arrangement as atomizer droplets of liquid medicament. Dosage control means are also provided for deactivating the aerosol generator after a predetermined time or after a predetermined volume of liquid medicament has been expelled from the chamber.

Abstract: Metered dose dispensing valves providing good dosage reproducibility with formulations having a propensity to cream and with low concentration formulations. Valves having a tank retaining cup have a small inlet aperture of no more than 0.7 mm and preferably the tank retaining cup follows the configuration of the end of the valve stem. Valves having a bottle emptier attached to the valve stem have a filling channel in the valve stem which protrudes only slightly from the metering chamber when the valve is in its inoperative position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry powder inhaler having one or more deaglommeration channels through which an airstream containing entrained medicament particles passes. Each channel has a substantially constant cross-sectional area and a bend having a radius of curvature of no greater than 10 mm.

Abstract: A deagglomerator that defines a channel for passage of powder laden air, which channel changes its geometry in response to changing inhalation flow rate.

Abstract: An aerosol valve having a valve ferrule, a valve stem, and at least one valve seal, in which the valve seal is impregnated with a physiologically acceptable surfactant. The valves of the invention exhibit improved force-to-fire and improved return force compared to valves containing untreated valve seals.

Abstract: A parameter of blood is sensed in vivo with a system which includes a catheter and a probe. The catheter has a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end and a distal opening at the distal end. The probe includes one or more sensing elements at its distal end. In one embodiment, the sensing element or elements are located at least about 4 mm proximal of the distal opening of the lumen. A volume oscillator is provided to control the movement of blood into and out of the lumen. A flush solution is introduced into the lumen so that when the volume oscillator is inactive the sensing element or elements are exposed to pure flush solution, which preferably includes an anti-clotting component. The probe is received within the catheter and affixed thereto. The volume oscillator is activated to move blood into and out of the lumen to expose the sensing element or elements to blood so that they can sense the blood parameter or parameters of interest.

Abstract: A calibration system comprising a sensor cassette including at least one sensor to be calibrated and a housing having a liquid passage including a chamber. The housing is coupled to the sensor cassette to place the liquid passage in fluid communication with the sensor cassette. The housing has a gas injection passage through which a gas can be injected into the liquid passage to mix with a calibration liquid in the housing. A gas vent vents the gas from the housing. Porous media is provided in the chamber. The gas and calibration liquid pass through the porous media, and the porous media assists in rapid mixing of the gas and the calibration liquid.

Abstract: An inhalation device for administration of aerosolized medicament to the respiratory system of a patient comprising a housing defining a patient port and an air inlet, the housing containing means for dispensing a dose of aerosolized medicament, an inhalation-activatable triggering mechanism for initiating the dispensing means, and reset means. The triggering mechanism comprises a vane mounted for pivotable movement between closed and open positions, the vane being positioned within the patient port such that inhalation through the patient port generates an airflow from the air inlet to the patient port causing pivotable movement of the vane. The device further includes an activator component moveable between a restrained position and a dispensing position which movement causes dispensing of medicament from the dispensing means, the activator component being biased towards its dispensing position.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring a pre-determined volume of liquid flowing through a conduit. A slug having substantially neutral buoyancy is positioned within the conduit and moves along the conduit at substantially the same rate as the liquid flowing therein. The slug is free to move within a constraint system defining a length of the conduit. The gauge further comprises detection means capable of detecting when the slug has moved a predetermined distance within the conduit.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser for use with an aerosol vial. The dispenser contains an assembly that indicates the quantity of doses dispensed from or remaining in the aerosol vial. The assembly comprises a rotatable indicator comprising a circumferential rack that is engaged by a worm-gear. Reciprocal movement of an aerosol vial within the dispenser causes rotation of the worm-gear which in turn causes rotation of the rack.

Abstract: An endless loop calibration system comprising a sensor cassette having a flow-through passage and at least one sensor to be calibrated, a chamber coupled to the sensor cassette to define an endless loop, a calibration liquid in the endless loop, and a valve element which is employed to prevent the flow of calibration liquid through the endless loop. This valve element, preferably carried by a housing, urges a tube compressor to squeeze a compressible tube against a curved wall surface sufficiently to prevent fluid from flowing in the compressible tube across the zone, and to maintain the at least one sensor in the sensor cassette wet with calibration liquid for long term storage of the calibration system.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a constituent of blood employing a sensor in or near a catheter in a blood vessel for producing a signal related to the concentration of the constituent of blood is disclosed. The improvement comprises obtaining the signal while at least one of the following is present in the blood vessel: (1) an added vasodilator component and/or vasodilation promotor in an amount effective to reduce the vasoconstriction caused by the presence of the catheter in the blood vessel and (2) an added platelet/white cell inhibitor component and/or a platelet/white cell deactivation promotor in an amount effective to reduce the platelet and/or white cell activation caused by the presence of the catheter in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A casting tape comprising a fabric substrate with pigment bound thereto is provided. The preferred fabric substrate comprises inorganic material such as fiberglass. The preferred pigments are selected such that they will not interfere with shelf stability of the orthopedic casting tape. The preferred pigments are those selected from the group consisting of Colour Index Pigments Blue 15.3; Red 202; Green 7; Red 166; Red 178; Yellow 109; Violet 23; Red 242; Red 122; Red 124; Black 7; White 6; Violet 19; Violet 42; and, mixtures thereof. Methods for preparing preferred orthopedic casting tapes are also provided.