Abstract: A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir subassembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. Simple removal of an interlock allows a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of the fluid reservoir assembly, and allows the device to then be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button activation assembly is provided which can then be used to release and seat one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.

Abstract: A head mounted virtual image display unit is provided which is compact in size and weight, and incorporates a high performance optical system offering a clear see-through capability. A sliding light shield may be incorporated for those instances when see-through capability is not desired. A focus adjustment may be incorporated to permit the focusing of the image, for example, at a distance of approximately 18 inches to infinity. An adjustable headband may be incorporated that adapts to fit the users head. A flexible boom structure may be incorporated to facilitate fine positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A slider and ball joint mechanism may also be incorporated to facilitate positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A built-in microphone may be incorporated to enable speech input by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum processing system for creating processed substrates having a domed lid on at least the transfer chamber. The lid may be provided either convex to the chamber, thus decreasing the volume of the chamber and the amount of microparticulate matter present in the chamber, or concave to the chamber. The invention also provides features to enhance the use of the domed lid, e.g., structural features that decrease lifting of the edges of the lid upon introduction of a vacuum to the chamber.

Abstract: A wearable, self-contained drug infusion device is disclosed that is capable of achieving the precise flow rate control needed for dose-critical drugs such as insulin. In preferred embodiments of the device, at least two flow channels are utilized in conjunction with a series of valves for providing a user with selectable, constant flow rate control. The device can be made with small dimensions so that it can be worn by the user with a minimum of discomfort and inconvenience. In addition, the simple mechanical nature of the device provides the user with close control over the flow rate, which is required for safe and effective delivery of insulin and other drugs. Also, the absence of electronic components allows the device to be manufactured inexpensively. The device is provided with a first channel that is long and narrow, functioning as a flow restrictor. The first channel is preferably provided in a serpentine pattern.

Abstract: Detecting erosion of refractory thermal insulation or a ceramic shield over a wide area is achieved by monitoring an electrical property of at least one wide area, planar, electrically conductive grid through which a current flows. The grid is located in or under the insulation or shield, with the grid plane and parallel to its hot or impact face, preferably over at least two square feet. When erosion erodes part of the grid, the electrical property changes and indicates that erosion has reached the grid.

Abstract: Detecting erosion of refractory thermal insulation or a ceramic shield over a wide area is achieved by monitoring the gas pressure in at least one wide area planar grid, in or under the insulation or shield and parallel to its hot or impact face. The plane of the grid follows that of the hot or impact face of the shield. The grid is fabricated from one or more hollow conduits in fluid communication and a single fluid conduit connects it to a pressure detector. Using a plurality of grids at different distances from the hot or impact face enables monitoring erosion over time. This enables wide area coverage as much or more than eight square feet in, e.g., a coker, without unduly impairing the integrity of the vessel wall and eliminates the danger of sparks associated with electrical means.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient by way of infusion delivers the preparation at a rate of flow which varies in steps from a substantially constant higher rate, to a stepped-down substantially constant lower rate or rates. The delivery device includes one or more reservoirs, and one or more Belleville springs for applying generally constant pressures to the substance contained in the reservoirs. Each reservoir will have a different constant pressure applied in a mid-range of operation. The reservoirs can be interconnected to each other and to an infusion device in a number of arrangements, including various manifolds and flow restrictors, such that the rate of flow is controlled in steps in accordance with the pressures applied by the springs of the plurality of reservoirs.

Abstract: A sputtering shield for use in a plasma sputter reactor and formed of one or more layers of mesh bent into a desired shield shape is disclosed. The multiple layers are arranged to minimize overlap of mesh apertures to thereby decrease line-of-sight holes through the mesh assembly. A foil may be placed between the outermost two mesh layers to further increase opacity. The mesh may be fixed to solid metal parts, such as flanges, grommets, hemming, or complex parts of the overall shield. The mesh shield provides better adhesion of sputter coated layers, thereby allowing longer use before replacement, and is less expensive to fabricate so that it can be treated as a consumable.

Abstract: A wearable, self contained drug infusion device is disclosed that is capable of achieving the precise flow rate control needed for dose-critical drugs such as insulin. In preferred embodiments of the device, piezoelectrically-actuated valve or pump structures are used in combination with thermal flow sensors and closed-loop control circuits for providing the desired flow rate control. The device has a two-part construction in which the more expensive electronic components are housed in a reusable portion and the fluid delivery components are housed in a separable disposable portion. The invention may also utilize a wireless unit for controlling the operation of the drug infusion device.

Abstract: A device for delivering or withdrawing a substance from a patient includes a support member, a skin penetrating device and an advancing assembly for advancing the skin penetrating device to an operating position. The advancing assembly includes a supply spool for supporting a web having the skin penetrating devices attached thereon and a take up spool for receiving the web with the spent skin penetrating devices. The support has a bottom wall with at least one opening for exposing the skin penetrating device for penetrating the skin of a patient. In one embodiment the skin penetrating devices are micro needles having a length of about 50-2000 microns.

Abstract: A support structure includes a first sheet with perforations having a front surface and a back surface and a second sheet with perforation having a front surface and a back surface. Each-perforation in the first sheet and the second sheet has a portion adjacent to the front surface of the sheet that is wider than a portion of the perforation that is adjacent to the back surface of the sheet. A core made of a first material is formed between the back surface of the first sheet and the back surface of the second sheet and within the perforations to anchor the first sheet and the second sheet to the core. Molded features may be disposed on the front surfaces of the sheets and integrally formed with the core through perforations in the sheets. The support structure may be used in a horizontal base or an end-of-arm tool.

Abstract: A sputtering shield for use in a plasma sputter reactor and formed of one or more layers of mesh bent into a desired shield shape. The multiple layers are arranged to minimize overlap of mesh apertures to thereby decrease line-of-sight holes through the mesh assembly. A foil may be placed between the outermost two mesh layers to further increase opacity. The mesh may be fixed to solid metal parts, such as flanges, grommets, hemming, or complex parts of the overall shield. The mesh shield provides better adhesion of sputter coated layers, thereby allowing longer use before replacement, and is less expensive to fabricate so that it can be treated as a consumable.

Abstract: A support structure includes a first sheet with perforations having a front surface and a back surface and a second sheet with perforation having a front surface and a back surface. Each perforation in the first sheet and the second sheet has a portion adjacent to the front surface of the sheet that is wider than a portion of the perforation that is adjacent to the back surface of the sheet. A core made of a first material is formed between the back surface of the first sheet and the back surface of the second sheet and within the perforations to anchor the first sheet and the second sheet to the core. Molded features may be disposed on the front surfaces of the sheets and integrally formed with the core through perforations in the sheets. The support structure may be used in a horizontal base or an end-of-arm tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to resin intermediates and their preparation. The invention also relates to hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polymers formed from the intermediates and compositions containing the water-dispersible polymers. A preferred composition of the invention is a zero volatile organic content (VOC), ambient-cure enamel composition which contains a hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polyester.

Abstract: The invention relates to resin intermediates and their preparation. The invention also relates to hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polymers formed from the intermediates and compositions containing the water-dispersible polymers. A preferred composition of the invention is a zero volatile organic content (VOC), ambient-cure enamel composition which contains a hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polyester.

Abstract: An abrasive tool includes a first perforated sheet having a front surface and a back surface, and a second perforated sheet having a front surface and a back surface. A first layer of abrasive grains is bonded to the front surface of the first perforated sheet, and a second layer of abrasive grains is bonded to the front surface of the second perforated sheet. A core includes a first wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a second wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of walls each connected to both the inner surface of the first wall and the inner surface of the second wall to space the first wall from the second wall and to form a plurality of hollow spaces within the core. The back surface of the first perforated sheet is disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the first wall and the back surface of the second perforated sheet is disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the second wall.

Abstract: A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

Abstract: A wearable, self-contained drug infusion device is disclosed that is capable of achieving the precise flow rate control needed for dose-critical drugs such as insulin. In preferred embodiments of the device, at least two flow channels are utilized in conjunction with a series of valves for providing a user with selectable, constant flow rate control. The device can be made with small dimensions so that it can be worn by the user with a minimum of discomfort and inconvenience. In addition, the simple mechanical nature of the device provides the user with close control over the flow rate, which is required for safe and effective delivery of insulin and other drugs. Also, the absence of electronic components allows the device to be manufactured inexpensively. The device is provided with a first channel that is long and narrow, functioning as a flow restrictor. The first channel is preferably provided in a serpentine pattern.

Abstract: A device, preferably a micro-device, is molded from a plastic material by injection molding, compression molding or embossing. A microabrader can be molded having microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form an abraded site in the tissue for enhancing drug delivery. The micro-device is molded using a mold assembly having a silicon molding surface. The silicon molding surface can include a recess corresponding to the desired shape and length of the microneedles. The silicon molding surface enables micron and submicron size features to be molded from polymeric materials without the polymeric material adhering to the mold surface. Micro-devices having molded features having micron and submicron dimensions can be rapidly produced without the use of a release agent.

Abstract: An abrasive tool includes a first perforated sheet having a front surface and a back surface, and a second perforated sheet having a front surface and a back surface. A first layer of abrasive grains is bonded to the front surface of the first perforated sheet and a second layer of abrasive grains is bonded to the front surface of the second perforated sheet. A core is made of a first material, the core having a first surface and a second surface, the back surface of the first perforated sheet disposed adjacent to the first surface of the core and the back surface of the second perforated sheet disposed adjacent to the second surface of the core, the core being bonded to the first perforated sheet and the second perforated sheet by forming the core between the first perforated sheet and the second perforated sheet.