Abstract: This disclosure addresses the problem of preventing sediment laden water (“sediment slurry”) resulting from hydraulic collection of nodules from the seabed from entering the riser and lift system that carries the nodules to the surface as a slurry. An example includes collecting nodules from the seabed by hydraulic suction, separating the nodules utilizing an inverse hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for presentation delivery. The mechanism delivering a presentation content to a group of users and receives a plurality of questions concerning the presentation content from the group of users. The mechanism stores the plurality of questions in a question history database and clusters the plurality of questions in the question history database into one or more question clusters. The mechanism determines a topic for each of the one or more question clusters to form one or more question topics and generates feedback for updating the presentation content based on the one or more question topics.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards compositions comprising ascorbic acid or ascorbate salt and an imaging agent, and related methods. In some embodiments, the imaging agent comprises pyridaben or a pyridaben analog attached to an imaging moiety.

Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a distal region and at least one folded portion extending along the distal region. The introducer also includes a reinforcing member having a length and including at least one spine extending along the length of the reinforcing member. The introducer also includes a sheath disposed along at least a portion of the introducer, wherein the sheath includes at least one perforation, wherein material adjacent to the at least one folded portion is removed from a distal portion of the introducer to form a tip region. The introducer also includes a tip member disposed along the tip region.

Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug delivery device and method of preventing drying out and drooling of an ejection head for the drug delivery device. The device includes a drug delivery device body; a fluid outlet nozzle attached to the drug delivery device body; and a fluid jet ejection cartridge containing a liquid pharmaceutical drug disposed in the drug delivery device body. A fluid ejection head is attached to the fluid jet ejection cartridge and the fluid ejection head is in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlet nozzle. An elongate, serpentine air flow path is provided between and outer surface of the fluid jet ejection cartridge and an inner surface of the fluid outlet nozzle. The elongate, serpentine air flow path provides a reduced pressure differential adjacent to a surface of the fluid ejection head upon use of the drug delivery device and provides a humidification zone.

Abstract: A cartridge having a reservoir for fluid, a tower with an interior chamber, wherein the tower has a first end proximate the reservoir, a second end distal the reservoir, a port in the second end of the tower, and an interior for conducing the fluid from the reservoir. A first rib and a second rib extend along a length of the tower, in the interior of the tower. Both the first and second ribs have second ends that are substantially adjacent the second end of the tower, and the first rib has a first end that extends along the length of the tower toward the first end of the tower further than a first end of the second rib. At least one of the first and second ribs at least partially overlaps a first via within the port and is spaced apart from the first via by a gap.

Abstract: An open fluid droplet ejection cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed by digital fluid dispense system and a method for digitally dispensing fluids. The open fluid droplet ejection cartridge includes a cover having one or more openings therein, fluid funnels pending from each of the one or more openings in the cover, a chamber separator attached to the fluid funnels for directing fluid to one or more fluid chambers, a fluid overflow chamber for fluid overflow from the one or more fluid chambers, fluid vias associated with each of the one or more fluid chambers, and a plurality of fluid ejection devices adjacent to the fluid vias on a single semiconductor substrate in fluid flow communication with the fluid vias.

Abstract: A unitary, molded fluid reservoir body to which a fluid ejection head substrate is attached. The unitary, molded fluid reservoir body includes one or more discrete fluid chambers therein. Each of the one or more fluid chambers have an open top, side walls, and sloped bottom walls attached to the side walls, wherein each of the one or more fluid chambers terminates in a fluid supply via, and wherein the sloped bottom walls have an angle ranging from about 6 to about 12 degrees relative to a plane orthogonal to the sidewalls. An ejection head support face is disposed opposite the open top for attachment of a single fluid ejection device to the ejection head support face for ejecting fluid provided from the one or more chambers through the one or more fluid supply vias.

Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug delivery device and method of preventing drying out and drooling of an ejection head for the drug delivery device. The device includes a drug delivery device body; a fluid outlet nozzle attached to the drug delivery device body; and a fluid jet ejection cartridge containing a liquid pharmaceutical drug disposed in the drug delivery device body. A fluid ejection head is attached to the fluid jet ejection cartridge and the fluid ejection head is in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlet nozzle. An elongate, serpentine air flow path is provided between and outer surface of the fluid jet ejection cartridge and an inner surface of the fluid outlet nozzle. The elongate, serpentine air flow path provides a reduced pressure differential adjacent to a surface of the fluid ejection head upon use of the drug delivery device and provides a humidification zone.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug delivery device. The drug delivery device includes a device body, a fluid outlet nose cone attached to the drug delivery device body, and a fluid jet ejection cartridge containing a liquid pharmaceutical drug is disposed in the drug delivery device body. A fluid ejection head is attached to the fluid jet ejection cartridge and the fluid ejection head is in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlet nose cone. The fluid outlet nose cone has a plurality of air flow channels open to an ambient atmosphere for providing a pressure differential between an inner area of the fluid outlet nose cone adjacent to the fluid ejection head and the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A cartridge for jetting a fluid. A reservoir holds and provides the fluid. A tower with an interior chamber receives the fluid from the reservoir and provides the fluid. The tower has a first end proximate the reservoir, a second end distal the reservoir, a port in the second end of the tower, and an interior for conducing the fluid from the reservoir. A first rib and a second rib extend along a length of the tower between the first and second ends of the tower, in the interior of the tower. Both the first rib and the second rib have second ends that are substantially adjacent the second end, and the first rib has a first end that extends along the length of the tower toward the first end of the tower further than a first end of the second rib. A jetting head has a first via for receiving the fluid from the port and expressing the fluid from the cartridge. At least one of the first rib and the second rib at least partially overlaps the first via within the port and is spaced apart from the first via by a gap.

Abstract: A unitary, molded fluid reservoir body to which a fluid ejection head substrate is attached. The unitary, molded fluid reservoir body includes one or more discrete fluid chambers therein. Each of the one or more fluid chambers have an open top, side walls, and sloped bottom walls attached to the side walls, wherein each of the one or more fluid chambers terminates in a fluid supply via, and wherein the sloped bottom walls have an angle ranging from about 6 to about 12 degrees relative to a plane orthogonal to the sidewalls. An ejection head support face is disposed opposite the open top for attachment of a single fluid ejection device to the ejection head support face for ejecting fluid provided from the one or more chambers through the one or more fluid supply vias.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing cartridge includes a housing body having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, a fluid chamber, and a hollow throat portion. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the hollow throat portion. The proximal end wall provides a proximal termination of the fluid chamber and the distal end wall provides a distal termination of the hollow throat portion. A plurality of electrical contacts face proximally from the proximal end wall. The fluid dispensing cartridge includes a fluid jetting chip that has a plurality of fluid jetting nozzles.

Abstract: The e-vaping method includes providing a reservoir within a housing, the reservoir being configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation, first configuring ejectors to eject droplets of the pre-vapor formulation towards a vaporizing heater, the ejectors being in fluid communication with the reservoir, and second configuring a vaporizing heater to vaporize at least some of the droplets.

Abstract: The e-vaping device includes a housing, a vaporizing heater within the housing, and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. At least one ejector is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The at least one ejector is configured to eject droplets of the pre-vapor formulation towards the vaporizing heater. The vaporizing heater is configured to vaporize at least some of the droplets. The method operates the e-vaping device.

Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a housing having an exterior wall and a chamber. The exterior wall has a first opening. The chamber has an interior space and has a port coupled in fluid communication with the first opening. A stir bar is located in the chamber. The stir bar has a rotational axis. A guide portion is located in the chamber. The guide portion includes a confining member having a guide opening that defines an interior radial confining surface that engages the stir bar, wherein the guide opening facilitates a radial movement of the stir bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing cartridge includes a housing body having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, a fluid chamber, and a hollow throat portion. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the hollow throat portion. The proximal end wall provides a proximal termination of the fluid chamber and the distal end wall provides a distal termination of the hollow throat portion. A plurality of electrical contacts face proximally from the proximal end wall. The fluid dispensing cartridge includes a fluid jetting chip that has a plurality of fluid jetting nozzles.