Abstract: A user-controllable urinary catheter prosthesis (20) is provided for minimally-invasive insertion into a subject. The prosthesis (20) includes a proximal intra-urethral assembly (22), configured to be inserted entirely within a urethra (102) via a meatus (104). A user-activatable hydraulic activator (50) is disposed along a flexible intra-urethral catheter (30, 430), which is shaped so as to define a urinary outlet (40, 440) at a proximal end (41, 441) thereof. A distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) is configured to be disposed in a bladder of the subject, and includes a bladder anchor (48). A hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) is configured to assume an open state, in which urine flow is allowed between the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and the urinary outlet (40, 440); and a closed resting state, in which urine is entirely blocked from entering the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and exiting the urinary outlet (40, 440).

Abstract: A user-controllable urinary catheter prosthesis (20) is provided for minimally-invasive insertion into a subject. The prosthesis (20) includes a proximal intra-urethral assembly (22), configured to be inserted entirely within a urethra (102) via a meatus (104). A user-activatable hydraulic activator (50) is disposed along a flexible intra-urethral catheter (30, 430), which is shaped so as to define a urinary outlet (40, 440) at a proximal end (41, 441) thereof. A distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) is configured to be disposed in a bladder of the subject, and includes a bladder anchor (48). A hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) is configured to assume an open state, in which urine flow is allowed between the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and the urinary outlet (40, 440); and a closed resting state, in which urine is entirely blocked from entering the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and exiting the urinary outlet (40, 440).

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry-powder inhaler device comprising: a casing; an air inlet located at a first terminus of the casing; a powder delivery port located at a second terminus of the casing, which is positioned distal to the air inlet; and an elongated assembly located within an interior of the casing. A first terminus is located proximally to the air inlet, a second terminus is located proximally to the powder delivery port, and the assembly is fitted within the casing such that said assembly partially rotates therein about a single axis. The assembly has at least one compartment containing dry-powder, which is located proximally to the second terminus. The compartment with a dry-powder comprises a porous structure encasing the dry-powder; whereby airflow through the device causes the assembly to partially rotate within the casing about a single axis and release the dry-powder in the airflow.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils or a formulation thereof for various non-agricultural applications.

Abstract: A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.

Abstract: The proposed valves and/or fluid pumps are controlled with a piezoelectric actuator, which provides very low power consumption, low cost, very compact designs, high speed response, long life, hysteresis free and linear operation, long displacement over 50 mm and high torque over 400 Newton. A steady continuous flow of a media is achieved by supplying a power profile to the actuator via an electronic circuitry connected to electrodes attached to the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry-powder inhaler device comprising: a casing; an air inlet located at a first terminus of the casing; a powder delivery port located at a second terminus of the casing, which is positioned distal to the air inlet; and an elongated assembly located within an interior of the casing. A first terminus is located proximally to the air inlet, a second terminus is located proximally to the powder delivery port, and the assembly is fitted within the casing such that said assembly partially rotates therein about a single axis. The assembly has at least one compartment containing dry-powder, which is located proximally to the second terminus. The compartment with a dry-powder comprises a porous structure encasing the dry-powder; whereby airflow through the device causes the assembly to partially rotate within the casing about a single axis and release the dry-powder in the airflow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-toxic diagnostic composition for intravaginal monitoring of vaginal infections. The present invention further provides a diagnostic article for intravaginal monitoring of vaginal infections with the article including an absorbent material for absorbing vaginal secretions and a composition suitable for identification of the pH or the buffer capacities associated with vaginal secretions. The diagnostic composition provides a visible indication of vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: A method for identifying physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of biological fluid secreted from a person, by providing a secretion-monitoring article of a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition that includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, at specific relative amounts. Optionally, a competitive agent for establishing a pre-set threshold of an analyte of interest in a tested bodily fluid, is added to the indicator system, wherein the indicator reagent being charged oppositely to the analyte of interest and the competitive reagent having the same charge as the indicator reagent.

Abstract: A dry-powder, breath-powered inhaler device comprising at least one air inlet, a flow chamber and an air outlet leading to a mouthpiece, the flow chamber further comprising at least one drug-containing volume and at least one scraping means and a rotor assembly comprising an axis and at least one blade; wherein the inhalation action of the patient applied at the air outlet causes air to enter the at least one air inlet such that the air interacts with the at least one rotor blade causing the rotor to rotate and thus generate breath-driven, relative motion between the at least one drug-containing volume and the at least one scraping means, such that fine particles of powder are released from the drug-containing volume; the arrangement being such that the air exits the flow chamber via the periphery of the flow chamber, carrying out the fine particles to the outlet to be inhaled by the patient.

Abstract: A method for identifying physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of biological fluid secreted from a person, by providing a secretion-monitoring article of a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition that includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, at specific relative amounts. Optionally, a competitive agent for establishing a pre-set threshold of an analyte of interest in a tested bodily fluid, is added to the indicator system, wherein the indicator reagent being charged oppositely to the analyte of interest and the competitive reagent having the same charge as the indicator reagent.

Abstract: A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.

Abstract: A method for identifying physiological conditions associated with a biological fluid secreted from a person, by providing a secretion-monitoring article of a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition that includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent of a quaternary amine; wearing the article in a position to receive the biological fluid secreted from the person; and visualizing the indicator system for an indication of physiological conditions associated with the biological fluid, which indication is typically a measurement of the pH or buffer capacities of the fluid and is stable for at least 48 hours.

Abstract: A method for identifying physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of biological fluid secreted from a person, which comprises providing a secretion-monitoring article comprising a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition comprising an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, wherein the ion-balance reagent is a quaternary amine; wearing the article in a position to receive the biological fluid secreted from the person; visualizing the indicator system for an indication of physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of the biological fluid, which indication is stable for at least 48 hours.

Abstract: A secretion-monitoring article for identifying a secreted biological fluid. The article includes a body with an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system. The indicator system includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, wherein the indicator system provides an indication of physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of the biological fluid, which indication is stable for at least 48 and preferably at least 72 hours. The article can be embodied as a swab, gauze, shield, hygienic napkin, diaper or interlabial absorbent structure and can be used to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid, or secretions associated with bacterial vaginosis without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine or after drying.

Abstract: A secretion-monitoring article for identifying a secreted biological fluid comprising a body with an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system. The indicator system comprises an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, wherein the indicator system provides an indication of physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of the biological fluid, which indication is stable for at least 48 hours, preferably at least 72 hours. The article can be embodied as a swab, gauze, shield, hygienic napkin, diaper or interlabial absorbent structure and can be used to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid, or secretions associated with bacterial vaginosis without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine or drying out.

Abstract: A secretion-monitoring article for identifying a secreted biological fluid having a body with an absorbent material and least one pH determining member and a reagent associated with the absorbent material is disclosed. The article can be embodied as a swab, gauze, panty shield, hygienic napkin, diaper or interlabial absorbent structure and can be used to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid, or secretions associated with bacterial, parasite, fungal, or yeast infections without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine. The present invention also teaches a pH indicator mixture and method of attaching the indicator to a substrate for use alone or integrated in an absorbent body and further teaches a method for monitoring the health condition of a person using the secretion-monitoring article.

Abstract: A kit for generating a biological sample from a discharge emitted from a portion of a body includes an absorbent pad for deploying adjacent to the portion of the body and a portable device for preserving and/or pre-processing the sample. The pad includes a sampling membrane configured to retain at least one biological material. The portable device has a housing formed from a base portion and lid portion which together define a sealable sample chamber for receiving the sampling membrane. An injector device is configured to be activated by closing of the lid portion to inject sample extracting solution into the sample chamber.

Abstract: An indicator system including two pH sensitive indicators and a reagent is disclosed. The indicator system can be integrated into a number of products such as sanitary napkins or panty shields and thus can indicate the presence of amniotic fluid or secretions associated with vaginosis without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine.

Abstract: A secretion-monitoring article for identifying a secreted biological fluid having a body with an absorbent material and least one pH determining member and a reagent associated with the absorbent material is disclosed. The article can be embodied as a swab, gauze, panty shield, hygienic napkin, diaper or interlabial absorbent structure and can be used to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid, or secretions associated with bacterial, parasite, fungal, or yeast infections without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine. The present invention also teaches a pH indicator mixture and method of attaching the indicator to a substrate for use alone or integrated in an absorbent body and further teaches a method for monitoring the health condition of a person using the secretion-monitoring article.