Abstract: A method for leak testing components including loading a subject component to be tested into a vacuum chamber; securing the subject component by a tooling that seals the inlets of two Circuits; selectively setting a series of valves to provide access to vacuum systems, or to a charge system that can supply tracer gas to the Circuits; pumping a main test chamber to provide a vacuum level suitable for sampling by a mass spectrometer; testing the subject component for continuity ensure there are no blockages within the subject component; charging Circuit 1 with a tracer gas to a desired test pressure; sensing via a mass spectrometer for tracer gas; selectively setting valves to seal off Circuit 2 from a vacuum test chamber; pressurizing Circuit 2 with a tracer gas to a desired test pressure; evacuating the Circuits of the tracer gas; and unloading the subject component from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a microneedle array in a substrate, a drug delivery device comprising one or more microneedles extending upwards from the front surface of the substrate, the microneedles having a generally conical-shaped body defined by a plurality of surfaces sloping upwards from a relatively broad base to a tip, and one or more substances coating the microneedles, the one or more substances being operable to be administered to a patient, wherein the tips of the one or more microneedles are sufficiently sharp to penetrate an outer layer of the skin of the patient, and a method of administering one or more substances to a patient using the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a microneedle array in a substrate, a drug delivery device comprising one or more microneedles extending upwards from the front surface of the substrate, the microneedles having a generally conical-shaped body defined by a plurality of surfaces sloping upwards from a relatively broad base to a tip, and one or more substances coating the microneedles, the one or more substances being operable to be administered to a patient, wherein the tips of the one or more microneedles are sufficiently sharp to penetrate an outer layer of the skin of the patient, and a method of administering one or more substances to a patient using the device.

Abstract: In a fiber optic system, a method for aligning an incoming beam of light and a target fiber that does not use light travelling down the core of the fiber to make adjustments to the relative positions of the beam of light and the fiber. According to the method of the invention, cladding mounted light detectors detect light in the cladding as the beam of light sweeps across the fiber, and a minimum amount of light detected in the cladding is established during the course of the sweeps. The relative positions of the beam of light and the fiber are then adjusted so that the light detected in the cladding corresponds to the minimum detected during the sweeps.