Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising: an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing; a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; and an optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an inhaler apparatus comprising interior surfaces having contact with a medicament for inhalation, the interior surfaces including an interior surface of a mouthpiece and a substrate with medicament deposited thereon, at least one of such interior surfaces comprising indentations or raised areas therein, the raised areas having valleys therebetween. In certain preferred embodiments, the interior surface is a surface on a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, and in other preferred embodiments, the interior surface is an interior surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. In addition to providing surface topology for minimizing the area of contact between the medicament and the surfaces of the inhaler, the surfaces are preferably made of a material having a low surface energy, and more preferably, also having, when uncharged, no substantial van der Waals or electrostatic interaction with the medicament.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:

Abstract: Provided is a method using a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising: an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing; a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; and an optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: A spraying device for dispensing electrostatic liquid droplets includes a container holding a liquid at one end, and having a nozzle assembly with an aperture at another end. The nozzle assembly includes a longitudinal hollow tube terminating in a metallic structure. The metallic structure includes a metallic base plate having at least one aperture formed therein for fluid communication with the hollow tube. The longitudinal hollow tube includes an end inserted in the liquid. A charge accumulator disposed in the liquid accumulates electrostatic charges. A wire conductor between the base plate and the charge accumulator transfers the electrostatic charges from the liquid to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A substrate is robotically picked up at a station and transported to a measuring station to measure the distance to a reference. The substrate is aligned to a robot before measurement. The measured substrate is then transported to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic powder/grain deposition station where the powder/grains are controllably deposited on the substrate to predetermined thicknesses over a plurality of powder/grain collection zones. The deposited powder/grains are then measured to determine the thickness and area covered by the deposited powder/grains at each collection zone. The substrate is then transported to a lamination station and each collection zone of powder/grains is welded to a cover substrate. The system remembers which collection zones are out of specification so that they can be later selectively discarded.

Abstract: A substrate is roboticaly picked up at a station and transported to a measuring station to measure the distance to a reference. The substrate is aligned to a robot before measurement. The measured substrate is then transported to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic powder/grain deposition station where the powder/grains are controllably deposited on the substrate to predetermined thicknesses over a plurality of powder/grain collection zones. The deposited powder/grains are then measured to determine the thickness and area covered by the deposited powder/grains at each collection zone. The substrate is then transported to a lamination station and each collection zone of powder/grains is welded to a cover substrate. The system remembers which collection zones are out of specification so that they can be later selectively discarded.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an inhaler apparatus comprising interior surfaces having contact with a medicament for inhalation, the interior surfaces including an interior surface of a mouthpiece and a substrate with medicament deposited thereon, at least one of such interior surfaces comprising indentations or raised areas therein, the raised areas having valleys therebetween. In certain preferred embodiments, the interior surface is a surface on a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, and in other preferred embodiments, the interior surface is an interior surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. In addition to providing surface topology for minimizing the area of contact between the medicament and the surfaces of the inhaler, the surfaces are preferably made of a material having a low surface energy, and more preferably, also having, when uncharged, no substantial van der Waals or electrostatic interaction with the medicament.

Abstract: Provided is a method of moving a charged particle from a first position at which it is retained by a first electrode to a second position at which it is retained by a second electrode, the method comprising: applying a potential to the second electrode to attract the particle; and applying a potential to a guide electrode offset from the particle at the first position, wherein the applied potential is effective to reduce the attraction of the particle to the first position sufficiently to allow the potential applied at the second electrode to be effective to move the particle from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an inhaler apparatus comprising interior surfaces having contact with a medicament for inhalation, the interior surfaces including an interior surface of a mouthpiece and a substrate with medicament deposited thereon, at least one of such interior surfaces comprising indentations or raised areas therein, the raised areas having valleys therebetween. In certain preferred embodiments, the interior surface is a surface on a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, and in other preferred embodiments, the interior surface is an interior surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. In addition to providing surface topology for minimizing the area of contact between the medicament and the surfaces of the inhaler, the surfaces are preferably made of a material having a low surface energy, and more preferably, also having, when uncharged, no substantial van der Waals or electrostatic interaction with the medicament.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing;a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; andan optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an inhaler apparatus comprising interior surfaces having contact with a medicament for inhalation, the interior surfaces including an interior surface of a mouthpiece and a substrate with medicament deposited thereon at least one of such interior surfaces comprising indentations or raised areas therein, the raised areas having valleys therebetween. In certain preferred embodiments, the interior surface is a surface on a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, and in other preferred embodiments, the interior surface is an interior surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. In addition to providing surface topology for minimizing the area of contact between the medicament and the surfaces of the inhaler, the surfaces are preferably made of a material having a low surface energy, and more preferably, also having, when uncharged, no substantial van der Waals or electrostatic interaction with the medicament.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to an inhaler apparatus with a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, the substrate being configured for electronic release of the medicament. In preferred embodiments, the inhaler comprises a conductive layer and a dielectric layer thereon. In preferred embodiments, the inhaler further comprises a second conductive layer positioned above the substrate without having contact with the substrate. In certain preferred embodiments, the voltage source is connected to the conductive layer in the substrate and the second conductive layer above the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic dispenser for propelling objects toward a substrate, together with methods of use of the dispenser. The acoustic dispenser uses a source of acoustic vibration and a membrane for the application of acoustic vibration wherein the objects are propelled from the membrane to a substrate. The acoustic dispenser and the methods of the invention can be used with numerous types of objects. In some embodiments, the objects are particles in a dry powder, which can include, for example, a pharmaceutically active ingredient. In other embodiments, the objects are beads, which preferably have an average diameter of about 100 to about 300 microns. Additionally, the acoustic dispenser can be used with more than one type of object, for example, two types of objects such as beads and dry powder.