Abstract: A child-sized adaptor for a DPI or MDI is provided. Also provided is a patient feedback mechanism for signaling and/or teaching proper inhaler use.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: An inhaler containing one or more vibrator mechanisms in one or more powder dispensing chambers for delivery of varying doses of a therapeutic agent or drug.

Abstract: A blister pack for use with inhalation therapy inhalers comprises an elongate bottom element having an overlying top element defining a plurality of spaced top crowned areas containing powder or liquid medications or drugs.

Abstract: Controlled quantities of powdered medication are formed in controlled release packages using electrostating metering. Also provided are combination medication therapy delivery packages comprising two or more active pharmaceuticals segregated from one another in a single delivery package.

Abstract: Controlled quantities of powdered medication are formed in controlled release packages using electrostating metering. Also provided are combination medication therapy delivery packages comprising two or more active pharmaceuticals segregated from one another in a single delivery package.

Abstract: Controlled quantities of powdered medication are formed in controlled release packages using electrostating metering. Also provided are combination medication therapy delivery packages comprising two or more active pharmaceuticals segregated from one another in a single delivery package.

Abstract: A child-sized adaptor for a DPI or MDI is provided. Also provided is a patient feedback mechanism for signaling and/or teaching proper inhaler use.

Abstract: Controlled quantities of powdered medication are formed in controlled release packages using electrostating metering. Also provided are combination medication therapy delivery packages comprising two or more active pharmaceuticals segregated from one another in a single delivery package.

Abstract: Controlled quantities of powdered medication are formed in controlled release packages using electrostating metering. Also provided are combination medication therapy delivery packages comprising two or more active pharmaceuticals segregated from one another in a single delivery package.

Abstract: A blister pack for use with inhalation therapy inhalers comprises an elongate bottom element having an overlying top element defining a plurality of spaced top crowned areas containing powder or liquid medications or drugs.

Abstract: An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises a first chamber in which a dry powder may be deaggregated by a vibrator and separated by size, and a second chamber in which the size-separated deaggregated powder may be picked up by an air stream and carried for introduction into a patient. Electronic circuitry is included for controlling dosing.

Abstract: An inhaler that utilizes vibration to facilitate suspension of powder into a gas is provided. One embodiment of the inhaler includes a piezoelectric vibrator for vibrating the powder. A controller is provided for controlling supply of actuating electricity to the vibrator so as to cause the powder to vibrate in such a way as to optimally suspend at least a portion of the powder into the gas. The controller may include a user-actuable control for permitting the user to select the vibration frequencies and/or amplitudes for optimally suspending in the gas the type of powder currently being used in the inhaler.

Abstract: Electrostatic phototechnology is used to package microgram quantities of fine powders such as drugs in discrete capsule and tablet form. An electrostatic "image" having a given size and charge density is exposed to ionized drug powder to attract a known amount of drug to the image. The resultant drug "image", is then transferred to a an open ended capsule, a partially formed tablet or edible wafer or belt. The capsule is then sealed, i.e. by capping, or the tablet finished.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize piezoelectric materials as part of a delivery system capable of the rapidly repetitive dispensing of a fluid to an intended target site. In a particular embodiment, the appartus contemplates a solid state needleless injection system which comprises a first housing structure having a dispensing chamber of variable volume capacity and at least one nozzle element for fluid discharge, and a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the first housing structure, and a second housing structure containing at least one piezoelectric actuator. A valve means is disposed between the fluid reservoir and the dispensing chamber to control the flow of said fluid therebetween. The fluid which may be a medication, is forced out of the dispensing chamber through an injection port upon actuation of the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: Electrostatic phototechnology is used to package microgram quantities of fine powders such as drugs. An electrostatic "image" having a given size and charge density is exposed to ionized drug powder to attract a known amount of drug to the image. The resultant drug "image", is then transferred to a package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize piezoelectric materials as part of a delivery system capable of the rapidly repetitive dispensing of a fluid to an intended target site. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus contemplates a needleless injection system which comprises a second housing structure, a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are stacked in a layered fashion within the second housing structure, electronic circuitry disposed proximate the second housing structure and hence the layered stack of piezoelectric elements, and a first housing structure containing a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the second housing structure so as to allow fluid contained with the fluid reservoir to communicate with the layered stack of piezoelectric elements. The layered stack of piezoelectric elements has at least one common aperture formed therein which extends therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sensing torque applied to a shaft. In the field on contactless torque sensing, magnetic flux is induced into magnetostrictive material on a shaft whose torque is to be measured. The magnetic permeability of the magnetostrictive material changes in response to torque. The change in magnetic permeability alters the magnetic flux in the magnetostrictive material, and can be sensed by non-contacting inductive coils in close proximity to the magnetostrictive material. However, the amount of flux penetration into the shaft effects the sensed magnetic flux, and thus effects the accuracy of the torque measurement. As a solution, a magnetostrictive material sheet is bonded to a nonferromagnetic sheet which is bonded to a shaft. The nonferromagnetic sheet limits the amount of flux penetration into the shaft to produce better torque measurements.