Abstract: Methods of fabricating and operating dry powder inhalers that include dose disks and airway channel disks with sealant layers, the airway channel disks forming radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating and operating dry powder inhalers that include dose disks and airway channel disks with sealant layers, the airway channel disks forming radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating and operating dry powder inhalers that include dose disks and airway channel disks with sealant layers, the airway channel disks forming radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers and methods are provided that facilitate deagglomeration of powdered medicament during inspiration. A dry powder inhaler includes a dry powder medicament container assembly, and an elongated dry powder delivery tube having an inlet at one end that communicates with a dose container, and an outlet or inhalation port that extends from the inhaler housing at an opposite end. The delivery tube includes one or more apertures adjacent the inlet that cause cyclonic or turbulent airflow through the delivery tube. The inner surface of the delivery tube has a polygonal configuration and the cyclonic air stream bounces off the polygonal inner surface numerous times as the air stream flows through the delivery tube. Another dry powder inhaler includes a deagglomeration chamber with a polygonal inner surface. An air stream containing dry powder medicament is directed into the deagglomeration chamber and impacts the polygonal inner surface numerous times.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating and operating dry powder inhalers that include dose disks and airway channel disks with sealant layers, the airway channel disks forming radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Handling Fluids at Nano-Scale Rates. A linear displacement pump produces non-pulsatile liquid flow rates as low as the nl/mm range. The pump includes a servo motor, a gear reduction, a lead screw, a linear stage, a barrel, and a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage. A microfluidic interconnect device can be coupled to the barrel. One or more of these pumps can be disposed in a thermally controlled pump assembly that includes a pump housing, a thermally conductive body disposed in the housing and including first and second opposing sides, and a temperature regulating element such as a thermoelectric device disposed in thermal contact with the thermally conductive body on a side thereof opposite to the barrel or barrels of the pumps.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers and methods are provided that facilitate deagglomeration of powdered medicament during inspiration. A dry powder inhaler includes a dry powder medicament container assembly, and an elongated dry powder delivery tube having an inlet at one end that communicates with a dose container, and an outlet or inhalation port that extends from the inhaler housing at an opposite end. The delivery tube includes one or more apertures adjacent the inlet that cause cyclonic or turbulent airflow through the delivery tube. The inner surface of the delivery tube has a polygonal configuration and the cyclonic air stream bounces off the polygonal inner surface numerous times as the air stream flows through the delivery tube. Another dry powder inhaler includes a deagglomeration chamber with a polygonal inner surface. An air stream containing dry powder medicament is directed into the deagglomeration chamber and impacts the polygonal inner surface numerous times.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers.

Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Handling Fluids at Nano-Scale Rates. A linear displacement pump produces non-pulsatile liquid flow rates as low as the nl/mm range. The pump includes a servo motor, a gear reduction, a lead screw, a linear stage, a barrel, and a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage. A microfluidic interconnect device can be coupled to the barrel. One or more of these pumps can be disposed in a thermally controlled pump assembly that includes a pump housing, a thermally conductive body disposed in the housing and including first and second opposing sides, and a temperature regulating element such as a thermoelectric device disposed in thermal contact with the thermally conductive body on a side thereof opposite to the barrel or barrels of the pumps.

Abstract: A canister of pressurized medicament is removed from a metered dose inhaler actuation assembly and thereafter subjected to a cleaning firing to dislodge any material that can be built up on the interior of the canister's valve stem. During the cleaning firing, backpressure in the valve stem is reduced and/or eliminated by routing the resulting flow to atmosphere along an improved flow path. The improved flow path can be such that there are no constrictions less than about 75% of the size of the valve stem's outlet port. Thus, the backpressure experienced by the valve stem is greatly reduced versus that experienced during a normal dosing firing. As a result, the flow rate of medicament through the valve stem during the cleaning firing can be higher than during a normal dosing firing, allowing the built-up material to be dislodged during the cleaning firing.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems and methods for processing solid supports. According to one system, a probe is provided having a distal end and a lumen terminating at the distal end. The transport mechanism is adapted to place the distal end of the probe into a well having a plurality of solid supports that are held within a fluid. A detection mechanism is provided to detect the presence or absence of one of the solid supports at the distal end while the distal end is within the fluid. A measuring system is provided to measure the general size of the attached solid support.