Abstract: A low cost, accurate, single use, disposable, iontophoretic fluid delivery device having cationic and anionic chambers separated by container structure and arranged to promote a flow of treatment ions into a body. The device desirably uses rugged minibatteries safely to provide increased electromotive force to the ion transfer process compared to galvanic cells having electrolyte matched to a human body's electrolyte. Minibatteries may be located in one or both cationic and anionic chambers, and/or attached to structure of a container outside the chambers. A shunt resistance may be arranged in a parallel circuit to the body to control delivery of a beneficial agent in any amount between 1 mAmp-min to 500 mAmp-min, or more. Substrates, located in the chambers and adapted to hold electrolyte or treatment drugs, may be electrically conductive to resist polarization of the chemicals near a conducting terminal.

Abstract: A seal located between ceramic electrolyte or mixed electrolyte cells, and ceramic components of similar or dissimilar compositions, ceramic components and metal components, or any other materials for use in electrochemical gas separation devices, fuel cells and other thermal electrochemical power generation devices, high temperature heat exchangers, thermal management devices or other applications requiring joining or gas-tight bonding where said seal is comprised of materials derived from pyrolysis of silicocarbon polymers and fillers of active and/or passive fillers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a controlled amount of a volatile substance into an environment while isolating the non-released amount of such a substance from the environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance cartridge associated with the housing, wherein the cartridge can be replaced, or, alternatively, refilled with a desired fluid. A mechanism is provided for releasing a pre-determined amount of fluid from the housing, which is activated, as desired, by a user of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method for regenerating materials from a desulfurization/demetallation reaction. The desulfurization/demetallation reaction preferably has products including one or more of an alkali sulfide, polysulfide or hydrosulfide, or alkali earth sulfide, polysulfide, or hydrosulfide. The method includes the steps of reacting the desulfurization/demetallation products with a halogen, liberating and removing sulfur from the product, and then electrolyzing the halogenated products to separate the halogen from the alkali metal or alkali earth metal.

Abstract: A process for producing ceramic, or ceramic composite, components having microfeatures by creating a chemical reaction in a castable slurry to bond nano-sized or submicron-sized ceramic powders. The bonding process that gives coherency and strength to the material creates a reaction product or gel-phase resulting from a chemical reaction between the ceramic powder and a reagent, such as an acid, alkali, or inorganic salt solution, that binds the ceramic powder. This gel-phase can be de-hydrated, cured, or crystallized by a higher-temperature firing step, but at a temperature lower than the temperature range at which sintering starts to occur in the ceramic (typically lower than 1,000°C.

Abstract: A wound healing device comprising a housing, a corona and/or ultra-violet light generating member ultrasonic wave generator, and/or a photoactivatable material. The housing includes a cavity and at least one opening. The member for generating corona and/or ultra-violet light within the cavity of the housing includes a surface corona discharge device and a power supply associated therewith. The photoactivatable material is positioned within the cavity of the housing. The device further comprises an ultrasonic wave generator and/or oxygen generator within the cavity of the housing.

Abstract: A low cost, accurate, single use, disposable, iontophoretic fluid delivery device having cationic and anionic chambers separated by container structure and arranged to promote a flow of treatment ions into a body. The device desirably uses rugged mini batteries safely to provide increased electromotive force to the ion transfer process compared to galvanic cells having electrolyte matched to a human body's electrolyte. Mini batteries may be located in one or both cationic and anionic chambers, and/or attached to structure of a container outside the chambers. One or more electric circuit components may be arranged in a parallel circuit to the body to provide enhanced efficacy of the device. For example, a shunt resistance may be provided to control delivery of a beneficial agent in an amount over a time interval corresponding to any portion of a battery capacity, typically between 1 mAmp-min to 500 mAmp-min, or more.

Abstract: A device for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid stream comprising an enclosure and a member which causes release of a first fluid. The enclosure releasably retains the first fluid. The release causing member causes the release of the first fluid from the enclosure into the second fluid stream upon detection of a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a surrounding area comprising a first electroactive electrode, a beneficial agent, a second electroactive electrode and an electrical associating member. The first electroactive electrode includes an outer surface, a portion of which is exposable to the surrounding area. The beneficial agent is dispersed within the first electroactive electrode. The second electroactive electrode is associated with the first electroactive electrode. The electrical associating member electrically associates the first electroactive electrode and the second electroactive electrode, to, facilitate corrosion of the exposable surface of the first electroactive electrode, upon exposure of same to the surrounding area, and, in turn the release of the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a container for holding a predetermined quantity of fluid, a gas generator for generating gas within the container, and a dispenser for cyclically dispensing fluid at predetermined intervals out of the container without cyclical actuation by a user.

Abstract: A device for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid stream comprising an enclosure and a member which causes release of a first fluid. The enclosure releasably retains the first fluid. The release causing member causes the release of the first fluid from the enclosure into the second fluid stream upon detection of a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a volatile substance. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance contained within the interior region, and the ability to controllably release the volatile substance from the housing. Such controllable release can be accomplished by the housing being substantially permeable to ambient air, yet substantially impermeable to the volatile substance contained within the interior region of the housing. Additionally, the invention contemplates the use of one or more porous plugs for diffusing the volatile substance therethrough and eventually into atmosphere in a vapor form. To assist such diffusion, the invention likewise contemplates the use of an electrochemical gas generating cell, a heating element and/or other features which allow air to controllably enter into the interior region of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for delivering a fluid to the surrounding environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region and at least one opening, a fluid contained within the interior region, and a device means to force the fluid through the opening, and against gravity. Such a forcing device preferably comprises a gas generating pump, designed to force fluid positioned below the opening through a channel or conduit and out of the housing. Moreover, the opening in the housing may be associated with a member for controllably releasing fluid from the housing, for instance one or more porous plugs, an emanator pad, a decorative element or an adjustable valve. Additionally, the invention contemplates the use of a moveable member, such as a piston, flexible bladder, or expandable bladder, to separate the fluid from the gas generating pump and assist is forcing fluid out of the housing.

Abstract: A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utilized to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.

Abstract: A controlled delivery device for holding and administering a biologically active agent includes a housing having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a port associated with the housing. Enclosed within the housing is a displacing member, a chemical or electrochemical gas generating cell, activation and control circuitry. The electrochemical or chemical cell generates gas within the housing, forcing the displacing member against the beneficial agents contained within the housing and forcing the beneficial agents through an outlet port and into an animal's body cavity at a predetermined rate. An anchoring mechanism may be associated with the housing for securing the housing inside the body cavity of the animal being treated. Also disclosed are methods of delivering the beneficial agents into the animal's body cavity using the delivery device of the present invention.

Abstract: A binderless coarse-grained WC substrate is coated with a chemical vapor deposition ("CVD") diamond layer in order to give a coating with improved adherence relative to WC--Co-based substrates and high compressive residual stress relative to Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 -based substrates. The elimination of Co from the WC improves the adherence of the diamond coating, allowing thicker coatings to be produced than for WC--Co substrates. Thin coatings (<30 .mu.m) are acceptable for applications where the coating is under low applied stress. Thicker coatings (>30 .mu.m) are used to give enhanced damage resistance for stresses localized at the surface of the diamond-coated component. Applying the diamond coating to a WC/WC--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /WC graded composite allows materials with high damage resistance to be fabricated. Deposition of a substantially continuous diamond film may be accomplished by CVD and PVD techniques.

Abstract: A gravity force driven device and associated methods for the sustained release of a fluid such as a volatile substance into a local environment. The device includes a housing having a lumen and a first open end, at least one porous plug permeable to volatilized substance positioned within the housing's first open end and partially occupying the lumen thereby, a reservoir, defined by the lumen and porous plug, and a quantity of the fluid contained within the reservoir. In use, the device is oriented so that the substance contained within the reservoir is in constant fluid communication with the porous plug. The device may further include an inlet port for refilling the device with the substance in fluid communication with the reservoir, and, for home use, may have an ornamental piece associated with (e.g. affixed to) the device. The device may also use an electrochemical gas generating cell to assist the gravity-driven dispersal.

Abstract: A brush having a handle and associated surface application portion, which brush handle contains a beneficial agent generator. The brush typically has a stem with first and second ends, the first end serving as a handle. Bristles are associated with the stem's second end. A beneficial agent generator (such as an electrochemical gas generating cell) that generates a fluid comprising an oxidizing agent is encased within the stem. For treating teeth, the generator will generally be chosen to generate an oxidizing agent such as a peroxide, ozone, oxygen, or mixtures thereof. When the generator requires it, the brush will also include a battery and a switch associated with the stem and in electrical contact with the generator. The switch may be associated with the first stem end and will be in operable (e.g., electrical) contact with the electrochemical gas generating cell and the battery.

Abstract: An electrically controlled pump (20) for dispersing a volatile substance into a local environment includes an enclosure defining a volume, a moveable member (52) separating the enclosure into first (54) and second (56) chambers (the second chamber containing non-solid composition which includes a volatile substance), an electrochemical cell (48) for generating gas. The electrochemical cell is associated with the enclosure, and is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A port preferably communicates the second chamber with a medium for dispersing the volatile substance into the local environment. Also, a case (58) may encase the pump and hold it in an upright position with respect to a surface upon which the case is positioned.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device (10) operated by a first gas delivery device (12) (e.g. electrochemical pump) that takes advantage of sequential gas production methods. The fluid delivery device includes a container (14) with an interior surface. An first gas delivery device for producing or delivering a first gas is placed in one end of the container. A moveable member (e.g. piston, bladder (18) or membrane) is positioned within the container, which moveable member, together with the container's interior surface and the electrochemical cell, structurally define a fluid-tight chamber. The moveable member may abut a first reactive material. Unreacted material (34), chemically reactive with the either the first gas or the first reactive material to generate a second gas, is contained within the container.