Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance, by optical ignition or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: NMES systems and methods for stimulating muscle tissue, and in some embodiments deep muscle tissue. The impedance near the surface of the skin is controllably increased to increase the percentage of energy delivered to a subject that stimulates muscle tissue.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance, by optical ignition or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.

Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Abstract: A device for delivering a drug by inhalation is disclosed. The device includes a body defining an interior flow-through chamber having upstream and downstream chamber openings, and a drug supply unit contained within the chamber for producing, upon actuation, a heated drug vapor in a condensation region of the chamber. Gas drawn through the chamber region at a selected gas-flow rate is effective to form drug condensation particles from the drug vapor having a selected MMAD between 0.02 and 0.1 MMAD or between 1 and 3.5 ?m. A gas-flow control valve disposed upstream of the unit functions to limit gas-flow rate through the condensation region to the selected gas-flow rate. An actuation switch in the device activates the drug-supply unit, such that the drug-supply unit can be controlled to produce vapor when the gas-flow rate through the chamber is at the selected flow rate.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for producing a condensation aerosol are disclosed. The device includes a chamber having an upstream opening and a downstream opening which allow gas to flow through the chamber, and a heat-conductive substrate located at a position between the upstream and downstream openings. Formed on the substrate is a drug composition film containing a therapeutically effective dose of a drug when the drug is administered in aerosol form. A heat source in the device is operable to supply heat to the substrate to produce a substrate temperature greater than 300° C., and to substantially volatilize the drug composition film from the substrate in a period of 2 seconds or less. The device produces an aerosol containing less than about 10% by weight drug composition degradation products and at least 50% of the drug composition of said film.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance, by optical ignition or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating body tissue by use of thermal treatment material. The thermal treatment material to be injected into target tissue of a body includes: a carrier substrate; a plurality of first particles operative to generate thermal energy in response to an alternating electromagnetic field applied external to the body; and a plurality of second particles, each of the second particles having a core and a coating surrounding the core. The coating is dissolved at a preset temperature by the thermal energy so that the visibility of the core in an external imaging system is affected as the coating is dissolved to expose the core. The variation of the visibility can be used as an indicator to determine if the material has reached the preset temperature.

Abstract: Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering particles to a target region in a patient's body. The apparatus includes a hub and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to and in fluid communication with the hub. The distal end of the catheter is inserted into the target region. The apparatus also includes: means for directing substrate to the target region, the means being coupled to the hub and in fluid communication with the catheter; a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the substrate and generating a signal commensurate with the pressure; and a pressure display for displaying the pressure in response to the signal.

Abstract: Devices for treating body tissue. The device includes: an elongated cylindrical guide portion having a distal end and a proximal end; and one or more heat generators securely attached to the elongated guide portion. The heat generators are operative to inductively generate heat energy in response to an electromagnetic field externally applied thereto. One or more of the heat generators are disposed near target tissue so that the heat energy generated by the heat generators is used to treat the target tissue during operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating body tissue by heat energy. The apparatus includes: a coil for transmitting an alternating electrical current therethrough to generate an alternating electromagnetic field that is capable of exciting material positioned in the body, the material being operative to inductively generate the heat energy in response to the electromagnetic field; means for measuring an amplitude of the current; and means for mapping the amplitude into a temperature of the magnetic material.

Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for producing a condensation aerosol are disclosed. The device includes a chamber having an upstream opening and a downstream opening which allow gas to flow through the chamber, and a heat-conductive substrate located at a position between the upstream and downstream openings. Formed on the substrate is a drug composition film containing a therapeutically effective dose of a drug when the drug is administered in aerosol form. A heat source in the device is operable to supply heat to the substrate to produce a substrate temperature greater than 300° C., and to substantially volatilize the drug composition film from the substrate in a period of 2 seconds or less. The device produces an aerosol containing less than about 10% by weight drug composition degradation products and at least 50% of the drug composition of said film.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization system that has one or more UV sources to achieve proper sterilization with minimal time and usage of power for the UV sterilization system. The UV sources are operated according to a set of control parameters including intensity of the UV light energy and an exposure time. The device may include: one or more sensors that are configured to measure UV light energy emitted by the UV sources and develop one or more signals; and a microcontroller that has an access to information of UV energy doses for various types of microorganisms. The microcontroller is configured to receive the signals from the sensors, determine a set of optimum values corresponding to the set of control parameters using the signals and the information, and send the set of optimum values to the UV sources to control the UV sources.