Abstract: The present invention provides a surfactant of formula (I): (A)m-X—(B)n (I) wherein X is a linking group; each A is independently a fluorocarbon or a perfluoropolyether; each B is independently (II) wherein a is an integer between 3 and 50 and each R is independently C1-6 alkyl, CH2CH2OC1-6 alkyl or CH2CH(CH3)OC1-6 alkyl; m is an integer between 1 and 10; and n is an integer between 1 and 10.

Abstract: Fill-finish assemblies facilitating the manufacture of a drug delivery device are disclosed. The fill-finish assembly may include a container, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection assembly disposed between the container and the insertion mechanism, and a carrier. The insertion mechanism may include a delivery member and an insertion mechanism housing. The insertion mechanism may be configured to move the delivery member from a retracted position inside the insertion mechanism housing to a deployed position outside the insertion mechanism housing. The fluid pathway connection assembly may be selectively activatable to establish fluid communication between the container and the delivery member. The carrier may have a hollow interior containing at least a portion of each of the container, the insertion mechanism, and the fluid pathway connection assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surfactant of formula (I): (A)m-X-(B)n (I) wherein X is a linking group; each A is N independently a fluorocarbon or a perfluoropolyether; each B is independently (II) wherein a is an integer between 3 and 50 and each R is independently C1-6 alkyl, CH2CH2OC1-6 alkyl or CH2CH(CH3)OC1-6 alkyl; m is an integer between 1 and 10; and n is an integer between 1 and 10.

Abstract: A multi-ply fibrous product includes at least two fibrous plies, such as a multi-ply nonwoven product, a tissue paper product or a hybrid thereof including at least two tissue paper plies and/or nonwoven plies including cellulosic fibers. At least two fibrous plies are bonded to each other by an aqueous adhesive composition including an adhesive component and a dermatologically acceptable acid, and optionally a salt thereof. A process for the manufacture of this multi-ply fibrous product includes (a) providing at least two fibrous webs, (c) applying an aqueous adhesive composition including an adhesive component and a water-soluble, dermatologically acceptable acid, and optionally the corresponding salt thereof, to at least one side of at least one fibrous web, d) superimposing at least two webs such that the aqueous adhesive composition is located between at least two superimposed webs, and e) bonding at least two webs together.

Abstract: Fill-finish assemblies facilitating the manufacture of a drug delivery device are disclosed. The fill-finish assembly may include a container, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection assembly disposed between the container and the insertion mechanism, and a carrier. The insertion mechanism may include a delivery member and an insertion mechanism housing. The insertion mechanism may be configured to move the delivery member from a retracted position inside the insertion mechanism housing to a deployed position outside the insertion mechanism housing. The fluid pathway connection assembly may be selectively activatable to establish fluid communication between the container and the delivery member. The carrier may have a hollow interior containing at least a portion of each of the container, the insertion mechanism, and the fluid pathway connection assembly.

Abstract: A multi-ply fibrous product includes at least two fibrous plies, such as a multi-ply nonwoven product, a tissue paper product or a hybrid thereof including at least two tissue paper plies and/or nonwoven plies including cellulosic fibers. At least two fibrous plies are bonded to each other by an aqueous adhesive composition including an adhesive component and a dermatologically acceptable acid, and optionally a salt thereof. A process for the manufacture of this multi-ply fibrous product includes (a) providing at least two fibrous webs, (c) applying an aqueous adhesive composition including an adhesive component and a water-soluble, dermatologically acceptable acid, and optionally the corresponding salt thereof, to at least one side of at least one fibrous web, d) superimposing at least two webs such that the aqueous adhesive composition is located between at least two superimposed webs, and e) bonding at least two webs together.

Abstract: Systems that employ microdroplets are used in embodiments for Microdroplet Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI MS). Thus, a method of detecting an analyte includes providing an oil composition comprising oil and an aqueous microdroplet comprising the analyte, the oil composition comprising a surfactant to stabilise the aqueous microdroplet in the oil composition; and performing ionisation mass spectrometry analysis of the oil composition.

Abstract: Systems that employ microdroplets are used in embodiments for Microdroplet Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI MS). Thus, a method of detecting an analyte includes providing an oil composition comprising oil and an aqueous microdroplet comprising the analyte, the oil composition comprising a surfactant to stabilise the aqueous microdroplet in the oil composition; and performing ionisation mass spectrometry analysis of the oil composition.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed.

Abstract: A transducer system is disclosed for detecting actual or simulated body sounds. An audio signal generation and detection system is disclosed for the purposes of simulating the medical examination of a patient or simulating the listening of sounds seeming to emanate from a live or inanimate body. A signal generator sets up a voltage potential at an electrode physically attached to the body, or electrically connected to a body, thereby setting up a voltage potential on a surface area of the body. An electric field potential sensor or a capacitive electrical sensor placed in proximity to the electrode or body surface then detects the voltage potential. The signals produced by the signal generator can represent heart, lung, bowel or other sounds and the electrical sensor can take the physical form of a listening device such as a stethoscope, thereby creating a simulation of listening to body sounds for medical diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The transducer provides methods for ambient noise reduction or cancellation, as well as means for simulating sound detection for applications such as medical education and testing. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed.

Abstract: An energy delivery system for delivering energy to a content in a vessel has a contactlessly-powerable energy emitting device which (i) is adapted to be positioned inside the vessel, and contactlessly-powered when inside the vessel to emit energy to the content, and (ii) has a control mechanism adapted in use to control the operation of the energy emitting device in accordance with a prescribed regime; and a power supply adapted in use to contactlessly-couple with the energy emitting device for powering thereof when inside the vessel. The device may be in the form of a stirrer. The system has particular application for use in Isothermal Power Compensation Calorimetry (IPCC).

Abstract: The structure and method of manufacture of diaphragms for use in electronic body sound transducers is described. The diaphragm is a critical element in shaping the overall amplitude and frequency response of such transducers. Various embodiments of novel diaphragms are described, each of which offers particular advantages in shaping the transducer response and the mechanical or electrical characteristics of the diaphragms. Manufacturing steps for producing such diaphragms are also disclosed. The diaphragms can be used in any electronic body sound transducer, particularly capacitive, magnetic or optical transducers. Such diaphragms and transducers are applicable to the sensing of body sounds in electronic stethoscopes.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The transducer provides methods for ambient noise reduction or cancellation, as well as means for simulating sound detection for applications such as medical education and testing. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is provided. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are provided.

Abstract: An acoustic- to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a capacitive sensor, whereby a stethoscope diaphragm forms one plate of a capacitor, with the second plate of the capacitor being co-planar to the diaphragm. The capacitance of the two plates varies with the distance between them, said distance being modified by motion of the diaphragm in response to sound pressure. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.