Abstract: A system 10 for reducing clutter in passive radiometric images of the ocean surface, the system including: a first polarizer 12 for generating a vertically polarized image of a selected patch of the ocean surface, the vertically polarized image including a first set of radiance data; a second polarizer 14 for generating a horizontally polarized image of the selected patch of the ocean surface, the horizontally polarized image including a second set of radiance data; a processor 16 for computing a clutter reduction weighting factor from the first and the second sets of radiance data; and means 18 for combining the first set of radiance data with the second set of radiance data utilizing the weighting factor to generate a combined image with reduced wave clutter. The processor 16 includes means for computing a weighting factor for minimizing clutter-associated variance in the weighted combination of the first and the second sets of radiance data.

Abstract: An inhalation device including an aerosol generator for dispensing droplets of liquid medicament comprising a housing defining a liquid receptacle having an opening, a nozzle arrangement comprising a plurality of orifices, vibrating means for vibrating the nozzle arrangement, and means for introducing the liquid medicament on the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement. Control means are also provided for controlling the vibrating means such that when the liquid medicament is introduced on the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement, the nozzle arrangement may be vibrated to cause the liquid to enter the liquid receptacle through the orifices and thereafter be expelled from the orifices through the outer surface of the nozzle arrangement in the form of atomised droplets.

Abstract: An inhaler for dispensing droplets of liquid medicament to a patient comprising a body having a mouthpiece or nasal adaptor and a reservoir of liquid medicament in communication with an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator includes a chamber for the liquid medicament and a nozzle arrangement having a plurality of orifices. Means are provided for cyclically pressurizing the liquid medicament in the chamber such that liquid from the chamber is periodically expelled through the orifices of the nozzle arrangement as atomizer droplets of liquid medicament. Dosage control means are also provided for deactivating the aerosol generator after a predetermined time or after a predetermined volume of liquid medicament has been expelled from the chamber.

Abstract: An inhalation device for administration of aerosolized medicament to the respiratory system of a patient comprising a housing defining a patient port and an air inlet, the housing containing means for dispensing a dose of aerosolized medicament, an inhalation-activatable triggering mechanism for initiating the dispensing means, and reset means. The triggering mechanism comprises a vane mounted for pivotable movement between closed and open positions, the vane being positioned within the patient port such that inhalation through the patient port generates an airflow from the air inlet to the patient port causing pivotable movement of the vane. The device further includes an activator component moveable between a restrained position and a dispensing position which movement causes dispensing of medicament from the dispensing means, the activator component being biased towards its dispensing position.

Abstract: An inhalation device for use with a pressurized aerosol canister. The device involves an electromechanical mechanism for applying a priming force to the aerosol canister prior to or at the start of inhalation. The device also involves a blocking mechanism. The electromechanical mechanism electromechanically applies to the aerosol canister a priming force sufficient to actuate the aerosol canister, and the blocking mechanism prevents the priming force from actuating the aerosol canister until inhalation is detected.

Abstract: A device facilitating the inhalation of powdered medicaments from within a container. The device comprises a body having walls partially defining a chamber, an inlet port into the chamber for the entry of air, and a mouthpiece having a central through opening communicating with the chamber. A support member also partially defines the chamber and is manually movable relative to the body to convey a first portion of the container from (1) a first position spaced from the chamber to (2) a predetermined dispense position within the chamber with an open end of the first capsule portion uppermost so that airflow into the inlet port and through the chamber induced by suction at the mouthpiece will cause the powdered medicament in the first container portion to become entrained in the airflow; and an extractor is mounted for movement relative to the body to remove a second container portion and open the container prior to positioning of the first container portion at the dispense position.

Abstract: A breath actuated device for the oral inhalation of medicaments in finely divided powder form, comprising a chamber (72) having one or more inlet ports for the entry of air and an outlet in direct communication with a mouthpiece (66) and positioned within the chamber, means for separating the lid and base components (62A, 62B) of a capsule (as defined herein) containing the medicament while holding the capsule substantially vertically to expose an aperture in the base component facilitating access to the powdered medicament and means for supporting the base component of the capsule containing the powdered medicament in a substantially vertical position, the inlet ports, outlet port and means for supporting the base component of the capsule being arranged such that when the device is operated by suction at the mouthpiece an air flow is established from the entry ports to the outlet port directly across the aperture in the base component of the capsule causing the particles of powdered medicament in the base co