Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for detecting when respiratory cartridges of a respirator have reached their end-of-service-life. In some instances, two or more respiratory cartridges are removably connectable to a respirator housing, where each of the two or more respiratory cartridges receives ambient air and deliver cleaned air to the respirator housing. One of the respiratory cartridges may be configured to have a lower adsorption capacity than the remaining respirator cartridges. A gas sensor may be situated downstream of the reduced capacity respirator cartridge, and may detect an increased concentration of the targeted gas in the cleaned air delivered by the reduced capacity respiratory cartridge. When detected, an end-of-service-life indication may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A dose counter system, and a dispensing apparatus having such a dose counter system, for counting activations of a pressurised dispensing container including: a hydraulic system; and a counter; the hydraulic system having a hydraulic cylinder with a primary piston, a secondary piston and a working fluid, wherein the secondary piston is coupled to, or otherwise operates the counter and the primary piston is engaged by, fixed to, coupled to, or otherwise moved by, a pressurised dispensing container.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering a dose, such as a medicament, for inhalation. A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) assembly and kit therefore has an elongated hollow belt body having open first and second ends and multiple inlet openings along its length for mounting one or more filter canisters, one or more filter canisters for mounting in the inlet openings for supplying purified air to the interior of the belt body, a motor and driven fan assembly having a fan inlet in communication with each filter canister through the hollow belt body and a fan outlet; and a power source operably mounted to the belt body and connected to the motor. The PAPR assembly forms a portion of a belt or bandolier to be worn around the user's waist, back, or other location, and at least the belt body can be made of a flexible rubber material, such as a Butyl and Silicone blend, or any other suitable material to conform the PAPR belt to the user's body.

Abstract: An nCPAP device for assisting patient breathing includes a generator body forming an inlet, a chamber, and first and second flow circuits. The chamber directs pressurized gas from the inlet to the flow circuits. The flow circuits each include a nozzle, a channel, and at least one port. The nozzle emits a jet stream into the channel in a direction of a patient side thereof. The port fluidly connects the channel to ambient, and promotes entrainment of ambient air with the jet stream. In some embodiments, the channel forms a ramp feature directing exhaled air toward the jet stream in an angular fashion. The generator body requires reduced driving pressures to achieve target CPAP levels and reduces total imposed WOB as compared to conventional designs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament magazine with a plurality of doses of medicament, wherein the magazine is formed from a single foil strip in which pouches (2) for holding a medicament are formed as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. The foil strip comprises for transporting the strip openings (4) on at least one side for the engagement of transporting pins. The foil strip has a certain width in the region of the pouches, which is less than the width of the foil in other regions, and the openings are arranged in this broader part of the foil strip. The invention also relates to a method and a device for opening a medicament magazine of this kind, the device preferably being constructed as a segmented wheel.

Abstract: A discharging device, particularly for a pharmaceutical liquid, is adapted to accommodate and actuate a pump-type dispenser in an accommodating region. In the delivered state, the accommodating region of the discharging device is sufficiently large to ensure that the pump-type dispenser can be accommodated by the accommodating region when the dispenser has not yet been actuated and does not yet communicate with the outlet passageway. The discharging device is particularly useful for pharmaceutical liquids prone to oxidation and thus in need of extensive protection from contact with air.

Abstract: A method is described comprising: providing a first heated volume flow of pressurized gas, a second volume flow of pre-heated dilution gas, and a third volume flow of fluid. A concentrated first aerosol is generated by exhausting at least a part of the first volume flow of pressurized gas and the third volume flow of fluid through a nozzle. A fourth volume flow of gas of opposite direction to the concentrated first aerosol is generated such that the concentrated first aerosol is arrested. Evaporation of the aerosol solvent is augmented with infrared radiation. The arrested first aerosol is then mixed with the second volume flow of dilution gas for generating a second aerosol that has been diluted. This aerosol is then concentrated with a virtual impactor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of dry eyes by providing a single apparatus for measuring the diameter of the lacrimal punctum and, based on the measured punctal diameter, inserting therein an appropriately sized punctum plug.

Abstract: A gravity-fed, emergency eyewash station includes a flow regulator in the feed line between the solution bag and the dispensing nozzle to maintain a constant flow rate throughout the entire activation time frame. The flow regulator uses a float valve to variably open and close an orifice that feeds the dispensing nozzle. Solution enters the flow regulator from an orifice at the top and leaves from an opening at the bottom. Solution flowing into and out of the regulator quickly reaches an equilibrium state, resulting in a constant flow rate for the entire activation time frame.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing a fluid and fluid energy using continuous analog modification of the total surface area of one or more solid surfaces against which, on one side of such surface(s), the fluid to be stored and dispensed may proximally and forcibly act and against which, on the opposed side of such surface(s), one or more elastic elements may act, withal producing the effect of a substantially constant static pressure across a range of deformation of the elastic element(s), i.e., a piezoequilibrative effect.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides reusable diaper devices, systems, and methods. One diaper embodiment includes a diaper body layer, a first casing formed from one or more layers of material and positioned on the diaper body layer, a first channel is formed by the casing proximate to a first leg opening of the diaper and the first channel contains a first band, a second casing formed from one or more layers of material and positioned on the diaper body layer, a second channel is formed in the casing proximate to a second leg opening of the diaper and the second channel contains a second band, and a length of each of the bands is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a wound can include a flexible sheet for sealingly engaging a patient's skin around a wound bed, a drain to be located in the wound bed, a vacuum source connected to the drain, and a flow restriction device to control the flow of fluid through an aperture of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A two-piece wearable absorbent article (such as a diaper) including an outer cover, and particularly, an absorbent insert for use therewith, are disclosed. The insert has a fastener component disposed at either or both a forward region and a rearward region thereof, for fastening the insert within the outer cover. The end of the insert associated with the region bearing the fastener component may have a specified stiffness, to help the insert to retain structural integrity while fastened within an outer cover and while being worn. The insert may include an end support stiffener that helps impart stiffness.

Abstract: An absorber wherein crushed tea leaves having a particle size of 0.05 to 4.6 mm are dispersed and held within a pulp fiber material having a fiber length of 0.1 to 7 mm, for water-absorbing, drying, and odor-eliminating with good visual quality, and maintaining sanitary conditions, and sanitary articles using the absorber. An upper water-absorbing paper layer portion forms an upper surface, a lower water-absorbing paper layer portion forms a lower surface, and a water-absorbing mixture layer portion is provided between the upper water-absorbing paper layer portion. The layer portions are overlapped and integrated forming the absorber. The water-absorbing mixture layer portion is formed by including a crushed pulp fiber material beaten to have a fiber length of 0.1 to 7 mm, and crushed tea dregs having a particle size of 0.7 to 3.8 mm in mixing content percentage of 14 to 43% by weight.

Abstract: An absorptive article has an absorptive article body, a pair of side flaps, and a pair of waist flaps provided in the rear region so as to extend outward from the side flaps in the lateral direction of the absorptive article body. Each of the pair of waist flaps has formed thereon a waist stretchable region extended so as to reach that edge of the waist flap which is on the belly side. The waist stretchable regions are adapted such that the dimension of the waist stretchable region stretched at the end thereof on the belly side in the lateral direction of the absorptive article body is greater than the dimension of the waist stretchable region stretched at the end thereof on the rear side in the lateral direction of the absorptive article body.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly (1) adapted for use in a respiratory gas delivery system comprises an exhaust vent, an exhaust gas flow passage, a primary gas flow passage, and a moveable member. The exhaust gas flow passage communicated a flow of exhaust gas from a first end of the exhaust assembly to the exhaust vent. The exhaust vent communicates the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas flow passage to ambient atmosphere. The primary gas flow passage communicates a flow of supply gas from a second end of the exhaust assembly to the first end of the exhaust assembly. The moveable member defines at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow passage and the primary gas flow passage, is operable to isolate the flow of exhaust gas from the flow of supply gas, and is responsive to a pressure differential between the flow of supply gas and the flow of exhaust gas.

Abstract: To provide an inhalation device which has improved use properties, particularly advanced moisture protection while in use, an inhalation device (1) for powder drugs is proposed comprising at least one storage chamber (13) for accommodating a plurality of drug powder doses and a dosing device which includes at least one dosing slider (15) which is movable approximately with a translatory movement in a dosing slider passage (16) at least from a filling position into an emptying position, wherein the inhalation device (1) further includes a device for inhalation-triggered automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) from its filling position into the emptying position and a return device for automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) back into the filling position.

Abstract: Discharge device for nasal application of medicaments. The invention relates to a discharge device (10) for nasal application of medicaments, with a main body (A) having a contact surface (10b) which, during use, is vertically oriented and is directed toward the face of the user, and with a nosepiece (70) which is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the main body (A) and is designed to be inserted into a nostril of the user, which nosepiece (70) is provided on an upper edge area of the contact surface (10b), protrudes from the contact surface (10b) and has a discharge opening (72). Use as a discharge device that counteracts incorrect use.

Abstract: A packaged elongate intravaginal device has an overwrap substantially enclosing the device. The overwrap has a longitudinal overlap seam disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The seam includes one ply of overwrap material disposed at a first margin of a overwrap blank superposed on a second ply of overwrap material disposed at a second margin of the overwrap blank, opposite the first. The overwrap has a substantially continuous line of weakness that intersects a plane including the longitudinal axis of the packaged device at at least three unique locations. The line of weakness extends across the longitudinal overlap seam and includes weakness components superposed in each ply of the overlap seam, and the line of weakness is arranged and configured in a manner to permit the overwrap to remain as a unitary structure upon destruction of the line of weakness.