Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for creating a negative bias pressure within a liquid reservoir. Embodiments may include providing a liquid reservoir coupled with an aerosol generator. The liquid reservoir may be sealed to create the sealed reservoir. An ambient pressure may be maintained while the liquid reservoir is being sealed and the ambient pressure may be maintained in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed. Further, embodiments may include vibrating the aperture plate to dispense the portion of the liquid. The portion of the liquid dispensed may decreases the amount of the liquid in the sealed reservoir. By decreasing the amount of liquid in the sealed reservoir, a negative bias pressure between an air side and a liquid side of the aperture plate may be created.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for creating a negative bias pressure within a liquid reservoir. Embodiments may include providing a liquid reservoir coupled with an aerosol generator. The liquid reservoir may be sealed to create the sealed reservoir. An ambient pressure may be maintained while the liquid reservoir is being sealed and the ambient pressure may be maintained in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed. Further, embodiments may include vibrating the aperture plate to dispense the portion of the liquid. The portion of the liquid dispensed may decreases the amount of the liquid in the sealed reservoir. By decreasing the amount of liquid in the sealed reservoir, a negative bias pressure between an air side and a liquid side of the aperture plate may be created.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for creating a negative bias pressure within a liquid reservoir. Embodiments may include providing a liquid reservoir coupled with an aerosol generator. The liquid reservoir may be sealed to create the sealed reservoir. An ambient pressure may be maintained while the liquid reservoir is being sealed and the ambient pressure may be maintained in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed. Further, embodiments may include vibrating the aperture plate to dispense the portion of the liquid. The portion of the liquid dispensed may decreases the amount of the liquid in the sealed reservoir. By decreasing the amount of liquid in the sealed reservoir, a negative bias pressure between an air side and a liquid side of the aperture plate may be created.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising a chamber which, in use, contains a fluid to be pumped, the chamber including a main cavity having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by first and second end walls and a side wall and a secondary cavity extending radially outwards of the main cavity, one or more actuators which, in use, cause oscillatory motion of the first end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first end wall, and whereby, in use, the axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of the fluid pressure in the main cavity, and wherein the secondary cavity spaces the side wall from the first end wall such that the first end wall can move relative to the side wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for creating a negative bias pressure within a liquid reservoir. Embodiments may include providing a liquid reservoir coupled with an aerosol generator. The liquid reservoir may be sealed to create the sealed reservoir. An ambient pressure may be maintained while the liquid reservoir is being sealed and the ambient pressure may be maintained in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed. Further, embodiments may include vibrating the aperture plate to dispense the portion of the liquid. The portion of the liquid dispensed may decreases the amount of the liquid in the sealed reservoir. By decreasing the amount of liquid in the sealed reservoir, a negative bias pressure between an air side and a liquid side of the aperture plate may be created.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising one or more actuators, two end walls, a side wall; a cavity which, in use, contains fluid, the cavity having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by the end walls and the side walls, at least two apertures through the cavity walls, at least one of which is a valved aperture, wherein the cavity radius, a, and height, h, satisfy the following inequalities: a/h is greater than 1.2; and h2/a is greater than 4×10?10 m; and wherein, in use, the actuator causes oscillatory motion of one or both end walls in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end walls; whereby, in use, the axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of fluid pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising a chamber which, in use, contains a fluid to be pumped, the chamber including a main cavity having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by first and second end walls and a side wall and a secondary cavity extending radially outwards of the main cavity, one or more actuators which, in use, cause oscillatory motion of the first end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first end wall, and whereby, in use, the axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of the fluid pressure in the main cavity, and wherein the secondary cavity spaces the side wall from the first end wall such that the first end wall can move relative to the side wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising one or more actuators, two end walls, a side wall; a cavity which, in use, contains fluid, the cavity having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by the end walls and the side walls, at least two apertures through the cavity walls, at least one of which is a valved aperture, wherein the cavity radius, a, and height, h, satisfy the following inequalities: a/h is greater than 1.2; and h2/a is greater than 4×10?10 m; and wherein, in use, the actuator causes oscillatory motion of one or both end walls in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end walls; whereby, in use, the axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of fluid pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A method of forming a perforate membrane (1) is disclosed for use in a liquid transport device. The membrane has at least plural nozzles (10) formed therethrough. Each of those nozzles has a throat portion (12) opening at opposite end through opposite surface (2?) of the perforate membrane and a smoothly curved outwardly diverging portion (11) extending from the first end of the throat portion to the first surface (2) of the perforate membrane. Laser energy is applied selectively to the first surface (2) of the membrane in the form of a pulsed, focused beam to form the nozzles (10) and thereafter the first surface (2) of the membrane and the surface of the diverging portion (11) of the nozzles (10) are electro-polished to remove surface imperfections. The electro-polishing is controlled so as to remove material from the surface of the diverging portion (11) of the nozzles to a depth less than the length of the throat portion (12).

Abstract: This invention provides a fluid pump using perforate elements and closure elements which are alternately displace and relates particularly but not exclusively to miniature fluid pumps and pumps suitable for delivery of liquid pharmaceutical formulations. In the art of miniature liquid pumps are known pumps based on peristaltic and “pump chamber” principles. (Peristaltic pumps may be used to pump fluids in general, that is, liquids or gases). Both types of pump are used in ambulatory pump products for delivery of liquid medicaments, for which application miniaturization and low weight are important attributes.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluid pump using perforate elements and closure elements which are alternately displace and relates particularly but not exclusively to miniature fluid pumps and pumps suitable for delivery of liquid pharmaceutical formulations. In the art of miniature liquid pumps are known pumps based on peristaltic and “pump chamber” principles. (Peristaltic pumps may be used to pump fluids in general, that is, liquids or gases). Both types of pump are used in ambulatory pump products for delivery of liquid medicaments, for which application miniaturization and low weight are important attributes.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating liquid droplets from an aperture in a membrane are disclosed in which the aperture has a diameter &phgr; at one face which is at most as large as its diameter at the other face, and a liquid is provided to the one face of the membrane adjacent the aperture. The liquid has a surface tension &sgr; and density &rgr;.

Abstract: An ejection apparatus for ejecting material from a liquid has an ejection cell (2) for containing the liquid in use. The cell (2) has a protrusion (3) disposed so as to be contacted by liquid in the cell on more than one side and defining a predetermined location for a meniscus of the liquid at an opening in the cell. An ejection electrode (6) is disposed in the cell at a position inwardly of the cell with respect to the predetermined location of the meniscus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for supplying material to a substrate (109). The apparatus includes a member (3) having a surface with a plurality of features (8) which locate, in use, menisci of a liquid (1) supplied to the member. An actuator (4) induces mechanical vibrations within the liquid located by the features to cause liquid droplets (7) to be sprayed. Liquid (1) is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the liquid by, for example, an electrode (14). Electrical charge or potential is also supplied to the substrate (109) so that the droplets are directed towards the substrate to deposit material thereon.