Abstract: A water purification device includes an expandable water collecting device having a variable volume, wherein at least part of the surface of the water collecting device includes a filter area, the filter area being permeable to water and allowing water to enter the water collecting device when the filter area is submerged in water. The device further includes a mechanically driven expansion means for exerting a force for increasing the volume of the water collecting device and thereby drawing water through the filter area into the water collecting device. In use, the water collecting device is submerged and the expansion means is released, drawing water into the water collecting device through the filter membrane.

Abstract: A first and a second object are joined with the aid of a joining element including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes facing each other are provided in the two objects and the joining element is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap between the two objects. This assembly is then positioned between a support and a sonotrode. The sonotrode and the support are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores.

Abstract: A reservoir for a nebulizer, a nebulizer and a method of filling a reservoir are proposed. To avoid undesirable rises in pressure, a fluid chamber of the reservoir is pre-collapsed and filled with an initial amount of fluid which is less than the maximum volume of the fluid chamber. Preferably, before being filled, the fluid chamber is compressed and/or expanded by means of gas to a defined volume which is less than the maximum volume of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament magazine with a plurality of doses of medicament, wherein the magazine is formed from a single foil strip in which pouches (2) for holding a medicament are formed as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. The foil strip comprises for transporting the strip openings (4) on at least one side for the engagement of transporting pins. The foil strip has a certain width in the region of the pouches, which is less than the width of the foil in other regions, and the openings are arranged in this broader part of the foil strip. The invention also relates to a method and a device for opening a medicament magazine of this kind, the device preferably being constructed as a segmented wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for hygienically reconstituting and delivering food preparations, such as drinks, comprising a metering and mixing device connected to a container containing a base liquid, in the form of a package configured to be connected to a base station. The metering and mixing device comprises a pump for metering the liquid, a diluent intake and a mixing chamber. Coupling means are provided for providing the diluent supply and the means for driving the liquid pump.

Abstract: An inhaler (1) is proposed (see FIG. 1), for the inhalation of a formulation (2) from capsules (3) that each contain one dose of the formulation. The capsules are preferably each emptied in a capsule chamber (4) by being set in motion by a stream of air flowing through the capsule chamber. The stream of air can be generated by the inhalation of a user or patient and/or can be generated actively generated by the inhaler. For simple handling, the inhaler has a means for, in particular, automatic filling, emptying and/or cleaning of the capsule chamber, if the latter is used more than once. Alternatively, the inhaler has a large number of capsule chambers that each preferably already contain a capsule and re preferably used just once.

Abstract: A medicament dispensing device, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5?) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a base station for a liquid dispensing apparatus. The base station includes a driver and a container support having a dispensing device, which includes a liquid duct leading from the container to an outlet. The device further includes a connector connected to the driver and detachably connectable to the dispensing device. In an embodiment, the container support is a holder, and the connector is movable towards the holder to connect to the dispensing device and away from the holder after disconnecting from the dispensing device.

Abstract: A washing device for dispensing water in the sanitary field, in particular in a shower or a sink, including an outlet for spraying fluids with a lower throughput rate, as well as a delivery device for increasing the fluid pressure before the spraying. The washing device includes a heating device for heating the water. Atomization is accomplished by way of a fluid jet hitting an obstacle with a high relative speed. Thereby, the obstacle may be a moved or stationary solid body or at least one further fluid jet. Spraying is accomplished by way of the outlet including at least one nozzle set with at least two nozzles, for producing impacting fluid jets and for atomizing the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for hygienically reconstituting and delivering food preparations, such as drinks, comprising a metering and mixing device (3) connected to a container (4) containing a base liquid, in the form of a package (2) configured to be connected to a base station (5). The metering and mixing device comprises a pump for metering the liquid, a diluent intake and a mixing chamber. Coupling means (51) are provided for providing the diluent supply and the means for driving the liquid pump.

Abstract: A washing device (10) for dispensing water in the sanitary field, in particular in a shower or a sink, including an outlet (1) for spraying fluids with a lower throughput rate, as well as a delivery device (6) for increasing the fluid pressure before the spraying. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (10) includes a heating device (5) for heating the water. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation is accomplished by way of a fluid jet (21) hitting an obstacle (21; 34) with a high relative speed. Thereby, the obstacle may be a moved or stationary solid body (34) or at least one further fluid jet (21). Preferably, the spraying is accomplished by way of the outlet (1) including at least one nozzle set (2) with at least two nozzles (3), for producing impacting fluid jets (21) and for atomising the fluid.

Abstract: A device (3) for metering a base liquid and mixing this base liquid with a diluent to prepare a food product, has a connecting portion for connecting it with a container (4) containing the base liquid, the device (3) including: a diluent inlet (71), a mixing chamber (80) for mixing the base liquid with the diluent. An actively controlled air inlet is provided for selectively having ambient air enter the device and guiding it to the container (4). A controller is provided for selectively metering the base liquid into the mixing chamber and for selectively enabling an air flow through the air inlet only during periods when no base liquid is metered into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A graft or prosthetic element suitable e.g. for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.

Abstract: A first and a second object are joined with the aid of a joining element including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes facing each other are provided in the two objects and the joining element is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap between the two objects. This assembly is then positioned between a support and a sonotrode. The sonotrode and the support are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores.

Abstract: A medicament dispensing device, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5?) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine.

Abstract: The invention is a medicament magazine having at least one medicament chamber for use in a powder inhaler, wherein the magazine is formed from two foil strips applied to one another and the at least one medicament chamber is formed between the foil strips as depicted in exemplary FIGS. 1a and 1b. The medicament chambers have an internal structure (3) which comprises in its interior a space for receiving a powdered medicament and stabilizes this inner space against external mechanical influences. In another embodiment in which the internal structure preferably also has a stabilizing function, the structure has means for opening one foil strip. In addition, the medicament chamber contains a retaining device which holds the internal structure on the medicament magazine after the medicament chamber has been opened.

Abstract: A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.

Abstract: A first and a second object (1 and 2) are joined with the aid of a joining element (8) including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends (8.1 and 8.2) a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes (5 and 6) facing each other are provided in the two objects (1 and 2) and the joining element (8) is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends (8.1) are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap (9) between the two objects (1 and 2). This assembly is then positioned between a support (3) and a sonotrode (4). The sonotrode (4) and the support (3) are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode (4) is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends (8.1 and 8.2) are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes (5 and 6) and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores of the hole surfaces or unevennesses or openings provided in the hole surfaces.

Abstract: For dispensing a material with thermoplastic properties in a flowable state at an operation site in a human or animal patient, a device is used, which includes the material having thermoplastic properties in a solid state and is equipped for bringing the material into a flowable state at a distal device end positioned at the site where dispensing is desired and for driving the flowable material from this distal device end. The device comprises a rotation drive, a consumable element and a dispenser element, wherein one of the two elements is coupled to the rotation drive and wherein the consumable element comprises the material to be dispensed. The two elements are arranged with parallel longitudinal axes and the dispenser element comprises a distal end piece with a proximal face against which a distal face of the consumable element is held and advanced during dispensing.

Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.