Abstract: Articles and methods related to scanning probe microscopy probes are generally provided. A scanning probe microscopy probe may comprise a chip, a mechanical resonator attached to the chip, a tip attached to the mechanical resonator, and a handle attached to the chip. The handle may have a length of at least 5 mm and an average thickness of less than or equal to 500 microns. The probe may further comprise an insulating coating covering both the chip and the handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inhaler adapted to supply a formulation comprised in a container to a user, the inhaler being adapted to read information stored in data storage means of the container. The present disclosure also relates to a system comprising such an inhaler and the container comprising the formulation, the container further comprising the data storage means storing the information. The present disclosure also relates to a container comprising a formulation, the container further comprising data storage means storing information, the container being adapted for supplying the formulation to a user, wherein the container is adapted for usage in an inhaler of any of the preceding claims. The disclosure also relates to set comprising the inhaler and a computing device external of the inhaler, wherein the inhaler and the computing device are adapted to communicate with each other. The disclosure also relates to the use of the inhaler, container, set and/or system for inhalation therapy.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: Articles and methods related to scanning probe microscopy probes are generally provided. A scanning probe microscopy probe may comprise a chip, a mechanical resonator attached to the chip, a tip attached to the mechanical resonator, and a handle attached to the chip. The handle may have a length of at least 5 mm and an average thickness of less than or equal to 500 microns. The probe may further comprise an insulating coating covering both the chip and the handle.

Abstract: Articles and methods involving sensors comprising encasements are generally provided. In some embodiments, a sensor comprises a mechanical resonator, a probe attached to the mechanical resonator, and an encasement encasing the mechanical resonator. The encasement encasing the mechanical resonator may comprise a first opening through which the probe protrudes and a second opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring at least one inhalation flow feature in an inhaler, wherein a capsule containing a formulation is located in the inhaler, the method comprising the steps of sensing an impact feature relating to impacts of the capsule on the inhaler and correlating the impact feature to at least one inhalation flow feature. The present invention also relates to an inhaler adapted to aerosolize a formulation contained in a capsule, wherein the inhaler comprises a sensor for sensing an impact feature relating to impacts of the capsule on the inhaler and a processor for correlating the impact feature to at least one inhalation flow feature.

Abstract: Laser siping forms sipes in an article. The laser operates in a scan laser configuration for some sipe patterns and the laser operates in a fixed laser concept for other siping patterns. The article on which the sipes are formed is secured by a part holder. Movement of the part holder may be computer controlled. Movement of the laser may also be computer controlled. A movement of a reflective surface of the laser may be computer controlled. Together, the movement of the part holder, the laser, and the reflective surface is coordinated to achieve the scan laser configuration and the fixed laser configuration when forming sipes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor includes (1) a resonator, (2) a probe attached to the resonator, and (3) an encasement that encases the resonator, where the encasement includes an opening through which the probe can protrude and where the dimensions of the encasement are on the same order as the dimensions of the resonator.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor includes (1) a resonator, (2) a probe attached to the resonator, and (3) an encasement that encases the resonator, where the encasement includes an opening through which the probe can protrude and where the dimensions of the encasement are on the same order as the dimensions of the resonator.

Abstract: An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage (70) that communicates with the recess (50) of the body (5). The body (5) has a pair of opposed spring (105) biased push-buttons (40) that each include at least one piercing element (95) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess (50). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) (90) into the recess (50) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece (30) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body (5) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler (1).

Abstract: The scanning probe microscope has a primary control loop (7, 11, 12) for keeping the phase and/or amplitude of deflection at constant values as well as a secondary control loop (9) that e.g. keeps the frequency of the cantilever oscillation constant by applying a suitable DC voltage to the probe while, at the same time, a conservative AC excitation is applied thereto. By actively controlling the frequency with the first control loop (7, 11, 12) and subsequently controlling the DC voltage in order to keep the frequency constant, a fast system is created that allows to determine the contact potential difference or a related property of the sample (3) quickly.

Abstract: The scanning probe microscope has a primary control loop (7, 11, 12) for keeping the phase and/or amplitude of deflection at constant values as well as a secondary control loop (9) that e.g. keeps the frequency of the cantilever oscillation constant by applying a suitable DC voltage to the probe while, at the same time, a conservative AC excitation is applied thereto. By actively controlling the frequency with the first control loop (7, 11, 12) and subsequently controlling the DC voltage in order to keep the frequency constant, a fast system is created that allows to determine the contact potential difference or a related property of the sample (3) quickly.

Abstract: An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage (70) that communicates with the recess (50) of the body (5). The body (5) has a pair of opposed spring (105) biased push-buttons (40) that each include at least one piercing element (95) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess (50). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) (90) into the recess (50) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece (30) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body (5) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler (1).