Abstract: Touch latch drawer assemblies are provided with anti-unlatching capabilities and include a front panel defining a latch activation gap with a front edge of a drawer frame. An inner drawer is mounted for movements relative to the drawer frame (e.g., by conventional drawer sliders) between open and closed conditions and is operatively associated with the front panel to allow the inner drawer to be moved independently towards and away from the front panel in inboard and outboard directions, respectively. A conventional touch latch may be provided to bridge the activation gap so as to operatively interconnect the front panel and the drawer frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: Touch latch drawer assemblies are provided with anti-unlatching capabilities and include a front panel defining a latch activation gap with a front edge of a drawer frame. An inner drawer is mounted for movements relative to the drawer frame (e.g., by conventional drawer sliders) between open and closed conditions and is operatively associated with the front panel to allow the inner drawer to be moved independently towards and away from the front panel in inboard and outboard directions, respectively. A conventional touch latch may be provided to bridge the activation gap so as to operatively interconnect the front panel and the drawer frame.

Abstract: An inhaler includes a main body having an inhalation chimney and a mouthpiece. The inhalation chimney includes a bottom surface. The inhaler includes a drawer for receiving a capsule. The drawer includes a top surface. The drawer opens out of and closes into the main body. The drawer moves into the main body from an open position to a closed position or out of the main body from the closed position to the open position, such that the movement of the drawer causes the inhalation chimney to move with respect to the mouthpiece. When the drawer is in the closed position, the top surface of the drawer and the bottom surface of the inhalation chimney are held together.

Abstract: An inhaler includes a main body and a drawer to open out of and close into the main body between an open position and a closed position. The drawer includes a spin chamber having a primary recess to receive air to mix with contents of a capsule and a secondary recess to hold the capsule. When the drawer is in the open position, the secondary recess is exposed to receive a new capsule therein or to withdraw a used capsule therefrom. When the drawer is in the closed position, the capsule is enclosed within the inhaler. The inhaler includes a perforating means to perforate the capsule. The perforating means moves away from a resting position toward a perforating position as the drawer moves into the main body. When set at the perforating position, the perforating means is positioned within the secondary recess to perforate the capsule.

Abstract: A spin chamber for use in an inhaler includes a primary recess to receive air to mix with contents of a capsule. The primary recess has a curved wall. The spin chamber includes a secondary recess to hold a capsule. The secondary recess is located within a bottom surface of the primary recess. The spin chamber includes at least one curved inlet channel to allow air to travel therethrough. The curved inlet channel includes a tangential section and a funnel section. At least a portion of the tangential section is substantially tangential to the curved wall of the primary recess and is connected to an air inlet on an exterior surface of the spin chamber. The funnel section curves toward the primary recess and is connected to an entry point to allow air to enter therethrough into the primary recess.

Abstract: A reusable tip for minimally invasive surgical instruments can include an end effector, a two-part hub, and a yoke. The end effector can include one or more movable portions enabling the end effector to move between first (e.g., open) and second (e.g., closed) positions via manipulation of the yoke within the hub. The hub can include a proximal hub and a distal hub coupled together. The end effector can be coupled to the distal hub, which can be made of a metal to provide high strength and secure shape to the distal hub. The proximal hub can be made of an autoclavable insulation material capable of maintaining a removable coupling with a control shaft. The proximal hub can be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Abstract: Methods and systems for the electrochemical extraction and recovery of lithium ions from spent lithium-ion battery electrodes and other lithium sources are provided. The methods and systems use a lithium-storage electrode to remove lithium ions (Li+) from an aqueous electrolyte solution in an electrochemical lithium extraction step. In a subsequent electrochemical lithium recovery step, lithium ions stored in the lithium-storage electrode are released into a lithium recovery solution. The lithium may be recovered in various forms, depending upon the design of the electrochemical cells used in the methods and systems. For example, lithium can be recovered as lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), and/or lithium carbonate (Li2CO3).

Abstract: Multi-segment manipulator arms are provided that exhibit improved performance in space applications, include reduced weight, reduced cost, reduced size, reduced rotational inertia, reduced vibration, improved heat dissipation characteristics, and increased reliability and on-station reparability. These manipulator arms transmit torque from a single motor at the base of the arm to each of the inter-segment joints via serial belts, rotationally linked via pulleys that are coaxial with the inter-segment joints. Brake(s) at each joint allow all but a selected joint to be fixed, allowing motor torque to be transmitted to the un-fixed joint, applying torque and/or rotation to the un-fixed joint. Placing the motor at the base facilitates heat management, reduces overall weight, and reduces total rotational inertia and weight of the arm segments.

Abstract: A vibration welding groove system may include a first component having a joining surface with a groove region, where the groove region comprises a groove formed in the joining surface. The first component includes a base region lacking the groove in the joining surface and a transition region located between the groove region and the base region. The transition region has a tapering of the groove to provide a smooth transition from the groove region to the base region. The vibration welding groove system may further include a second component having a weld leg extending from a main body, where the groove of the first component comprises a shape configured to nudge the weld leg towards a center of the groove during joining of the first component with the second component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: A reusable tip for minimally invasive surgical instruments can include an end effector, a two-part hub, and a yoke. The end effector can include one or more movable portions enabling the end effector to move between first (e.g., open) and second (e.g., closed) positions via manipulation of the yoke within the hub. The hub can include a proximal hub and a distal hub coupled together. The end effector can be coupled to the distal hub, which can be made of a metal to provide high strength and secure shape to the distal hub. The proximal hub can be made of an autoclavable insulation material capable of maintaining a removable coupling with a control shaft. The proximal hub can be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: A reusable tip for minimally invasive surgical instruments can include an end effector, a two-part hub, and a yoke. The end effector can include one or more movable portions enabling the end effector to move between first (e.g., open) and second (e.g., closed) positions via manipulation of the yoke within the hub. The hub can include a proximal hub and a distal hub coupled together. The end effector can be coupled to the distal hub, which can be made of a metal to provide high strength and secure shape to the distal hub. The proximal hub can be made of an autoclavable insulation material capable of maintaining a removable coupling with a control shaft. The proximal hub can be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Abstract: Multi-segment manipulator arms are provided that exhibit improved performance in space applications, include reduced weight, reduced cost, reduced size, reduced rotational inertia, reduced vibration, improved heat dissipation characteristics, and increased reliability and on-station reparability. These manipulator arms transmit torque from a single motor at the base of the arm to each of the inter-segment joints via serial belts, rotationally linked via pulleys that are coaxial with the inter-segment joints. Brake(s) at each joint allow all but a selected joint to be fixed, allowing motor torque to be transmitted to the un-fixed joint, applying torque and/or rotation to the un-fixed joint. Placing the motor at the base facilitates heat management, reduces overall weight, and reduces total rotational inertia and weight of the arm segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating and/or desiccating a portion of a drug delivery tract of a drug delivery apparatus to reduce water vapor content therein are provided. For example, there is provided a metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The aerosolized medicament or other matter may be discharged from a discharge passageway within the inhaler into an inhalation passageway for inhalation by a user, and the inhaler may comprise a seal member operative to selectively isolate the discharge passageway from the inhalation passageway and external environment during inactivity. The inhaler may further comprise a desiccant material arranged to withdraw moisture from the isolated discharge passageway. In other instances, desiccant material may be arranged to withdraw moisture from the discharge passageway of the inhaler without isolating the discharge passage during inactivity.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing periodontal disease in a subject comprises administering to the subject an inhibitor of ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase-I (ENPP1). An ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase-I (ENPP1) inhibitor and pharmaceutical compositions for use in treatment or prevention of periodontal disease or for increasing cementum formation are also disclosed.