Abstract: A radio-frequency excited carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbon monoxide (CO) gas laser includes two electrodes, which have passivated surfaces, within a sealed housing. Features in a ceramic slab or a ceramic cylinder located between the electrodes define a gain volume. Surfaces of the ceramic slab or the ceramic cylinder are separated from the passivated surfaces of the electrodes by small gaps to prevent abrasion thereof. Reducing compressive forces that secure these components within the housing further reduces abrasion, thereby extending the operational lifetime of the gas laser.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The aerosolization device may include a conduit, an aerosol generator, a restrictor disposed within the conduit, and an indicator mechanism. The conduit may include a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator may include a vibratable mesh. The restrictor may define a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The indicator mechanism may indicate to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range.

Abstract: A radio-frequency excited carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbon monoxide (CO) gas laser includes two electrodes, which have passivated surfaces, within a sealed housing. Features in a ceramic slab or a ceramic cylinder located between the electrodes define a gain volume. Surfaces of the ceramic slab or the ceramic cylinder are separated from the passivated surfaces of the electrodes by small gaps to prevent abrasion thereof. Reducing compressive forces that secure these components within the housing further reduces abrasion, thereby extending the operational lifetime of the gas laser.

Abstract: A method of characterising particles (140) by using a processor (301) to identify a particle boundary (165) of at least one particle (140) in an image (135, 171). The method comprises processing the image (135, 171) using a thresholding method to determine a first boundary (160a) corresponding with the at least one particle (140) and processing the image (135, 171) using an edge detection method to determine a second boundary (160b) corresponding with at the least one particle (140). The first boundary (160a) and second boundary (160b) are combined to create a combined boundary (160). A particle boundary (165) of the at least one particle (140) is determined using the combined boundary. A parameter used by the edge detection method is adaptive, and determined with reference to the image (135, 171).

Abstract: Embodiments provide aerosolization device for providing aerosolized medicament to user. The aerosolization device includes conduit, aerosol generator, fluid receiving chamber, restrictor within the conduit, and indicator mechanism. Conduit has an inner wall and a mouthpiece end for causing an inspiratory flow. Aerosol generator includes a vibratable mesh laterally offset from the inner wall. Fluid receiving chamber receives liquid medicament. At least a portion of chamber is tapered such that liquid medicament is directed onto vibratable mesh for aerosolization. Restrictor defines a plurality of apertures that provide increases in pressure differential that vary with inspiratory flow rate within conduit and provide relatively laminar flow downstream of restrictor. Indicator mechanism indicates a state of flow parameters relative to a predefined range. Aerosol generator is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of liquid medicament only when flow parameters of the inspiratory flow are within range.

Abstract: Embodiments provide aerosolization device for providing aerosolized medicament to user. The aerosolization device includes conduit, aerosol generator, fluid receiving chamber, restrictor within the conduit, and indicator mechanism. Conduit has an inner wall and a mouthpiece end for causing an inspiratory flow. Aerosol generator includes a vibratable mesh laterally offset from the inner wall. Fluid receiving chamber receives liquid medicament. At least a portion of chamber is tapered such that liquid medicament is directed onto vibratable mesh for aerosolization. Restrictor defines a plurality of apertures that provide increases in pressure differential that vary with inspiratory flow rate within conduit and provide relatively laminar flow downstream of restrictor. Indicator mechanism indicates a state of flow parameters relative to a predefined range. Aerosol generator is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of liquid medicament only when flow parameters of the inspiratory flow are within range.

Abstract: A method of characterising particles (140) by using a processor (301) to identify a particle boundary (165) of at least one particle (140) in an image (135, 171). The method comprises processing the image (135, 171) using a thresholding method to determine a first boundary (160a) corresponding with the at least one particle (140) and processing the image (135, 171) using an edge detection method to determine a second boundary (160b) corresponding with at the least one particle (140). The first boundary (160a) and second boundary (160b) are combined to create a combined boundary (160). A particle boundary (165) of the at least one particle (140) is determined using the combined boundary. A parameter used by the edge detection method is adaptive, and determined with reference to the image (135, 171).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and kits for selecting treatments for, and treating, an oral infection in a patient. Oral samples are collected from multiple locations of the patient's oral cavity and include saliva, tongue biofilm, and interproximal biofilm. The samples are analyzed to determine a pathogen profile of the oral cavity, using nucleic-acid based analysis. Based on the pathogen profile, an antibiotic rinse is selected as the treatment of the oral infection.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The aerosolization device may include a conduit, an aerosol generator, a restrictor disposed within the conduit, and an indicator mechanism. The conduit may include a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator may include a vibratable mesh. The restrictor may define a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The indicator mechanism may indicate to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The aerosolization device may include a conduit, an aerosol generator, a restrictor disposed within the conduit, and an indicator mechanism. The conduit may include a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator may include a vibratable mesh. The restrictor may define a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The indicator mechanism may indicate to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range.

Abstract: Embodiments provide aerosolization device for providing aerosolized medicament to user. The aerosolization device includes conduit, aerosol generator, fluid receiving chamber, restrictor within the conduit, and indicator mechanism. Conduit has an inner wall and a mouthpiece end for causing an inspiratory flow. Aerosol generator includes a vibratable mesh laterally offset from the inner wall. Fluid receiving chamber receives liquid medicament. At least a portion of chamber is tapered such that liquid medicament is directed onto vibratable mesh for aerosolization. Restrictor defines a plurality of apertures that provide increases in pressure differential that vary with inspiratory flow rate within conduit and provide relatively laminar flow downstream of restrictor. Indicator mechanism indicates a state of flow parameters relative to a predefined range. Aerosol generator is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of liquid medicament only when flow parameters of the inspiratory flow are within range.

Abstract: A stacked RJ21 receptacle (100) for mating with a mating connector includes a first RJ21 receptacle (2) and a second receptacle (3). An outer shield (1) shields the first and second receptacle. The first and second RJ21 receptacle each has a projecting portion projecting beyond the outer shield. The stacked RJ21 receptacle (100) further includes at least a printed circuit board (5) and a noise suppressing element (4) respectively electrically connecting with the first and second receptacles.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of passivating compound semiconductor surfaces aligned to the {110} crystal planes, and devices incorporating said passivated surfaces.

Abstract: A connector assembly (1) used to interconnect a primary circuit board (4) to an intermediate circuit board (5) includes a one-piece insulated housing (2) and an outer shell (3) partially enclosing outside of the housing (2). The housing (2) has a space (20) formed from a mounting side of the housing (2) to the primary circuit board (4) and a face (22) formed at another mounting side of the housing (2) to the intermediate circuit board (5). A plurality of conductors (25) is retained in the housing and extends from the space (20) to the face (22) and each conductor (25) has one tail portion (251) to be press-fit on the intermediate circuit board (5) and another tail portion to be engaged with a corresponding hole (41) on the primary circuit board (4). The one-piece housing and fewer interfaces are used, and the mounting method and mechanism of the conductors is simplified to reduce the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A solid state photodetector is disclosed comprising a multiplicity of photodetector elements, each element using clamped Geiger mode gain to achieve high sensitivity and high speed. The elements are connected together using a common anode to sum their outputs, allowing operation with gray-scale response over a large total photosensitive area. In the preferred embodiment, high speed performance is achieved by isolating each element from the bias supply by means of an integrated series resistor.

Abstract: A stacked RJ21 receptacle (100) for mating with a mating connector includes a first RJ21 receptacle (2) and a second receptacle (3). An outer shield (1) shields the first and second receptacle. The first and second RJ21 receptacle each has a projecting portion projecting beyond the outer shield. The stacked RJ21 receptacle (100) further includes at least a printed circuit board (5) and a noise suppressing element (4) respectively electrically connecting with the first and second receptacles.

Abstract: A modular jack connector (100) includes a housing (1) defining an inner space (10). A partition (11) is formed within the space. The partition forms with a plurality of fingers (12) and defines a plurality of slots (13) between two adjacent fingers. A plurality of contacts (321, 331) assembled to the housing. Each contact includes a contact engaging portion (3212, 3312) extending through the slots. At least one of the fingers and the contact engaging portions includes a reduced-dimension-portion such that clearance between the contact engaging portion and the slot is increased.

Abstract: An electrical adapter (100) includes a first housing member (1), a second housing member (2) coupled with the first housing member, and a number of first, second and third conductive terminals (312, 322, 332). The first housing member has a first mating face (11) defining a first upper and lower receptacles (111, 112). The second housing member has a second mating face (21) defining a second receptacle (211). The first, second and third conductive terminals (312, 322, 332) respectively have contacting portions (314, 324, 334) extending into corresponding receptacles. Latching means are arranged between the first and second housing members so as to fasten the first housing member and the second housing together.

Abstract: A stacked electrical connector assembly (100) mounted on a main printed circuit board includes an insulative housing (1), an array of USB and modular conductive terminals (24, 222) received in the housing, and a metal outer shell (5) substantially surrounding the insulative housing. The housing defines a USB plug-receiving cavity (101) and a modular plug-receiving cavity (102) stacked beneath the USB plug-receiving cavity. The USB conductive terminals (24) have USB contacting portions (242) exposed in the USB plug-receiving cavity adapted for mating with a USB type plug. The modular conductive terminals (222) have modular contacting portions (223) disposed in the modular plug-receiving cavity adapted for mating with an RJ type plug.

Abstract: A connector assembly (1) mounted on a printed circuit board for mating with the network cable includes a housing (12) configured to form two mating ports (10) for receiving their complementary connectors. A conditioning unit (2) is mounted into the housing (12) to be disposed between the mating ports (10), and includes a common circuit board (21) having conditioning components (22) and two terminal modules (23, 24) surface mounted thereon. Each of the terminal modules (23, 24) has terminals (25) insert-molded therein and is mounted on a different side of the circuit board (21) from each other. At least one flexible latch (18) is formed on the middle portion of a sidewall of the housing (12) and a notch (28) is formed at one edge of the circuit board (21) to be engaged with the latch (18) to fix the conditioning unit (2) in position. Thus, the conditional unit (2) is easily secured to the housing and the latch (18) is easily detached from the notch (28) by a tool.