Abstract: The invention concerns a RFID tag (1) configured to transmit a predetermined code (3K) as a RF backscattered radiation (2) in response to an impinging RF signal (41). The RFID tag (1) is configured to react to an impinging signal at a predetermined reference frequency (23) with a reference backscattered signal (2R). The RFID tag (1) is also configured and to react to an impinging signal (41) at any of a group of transmission frequencies (21, 22) with coding backscattered signals (2F-G) whose amplitudes (20A, 20B) relative to the amplitude (20R) of the reference backscattered signal define the code (3K). The invention further concerns a RFID reader (4), a kit (5) and a method for transmitting a message from a device (1) to a reader (4) as a RF backscattered radiation (2) in response to an impinging RF signal (41).

Abstract: Ultrasound surgical apparatus are disclosed, including: medical ultrasound handpieces with proximally mounted ultrasound radiators configured to create a distally-focused beam of ultrasound energy, in combination with distal guide members for control of focal point depth; medical ultrasound handpieces with proximally mounted ultrasound radiators configured to create a distally-focused beam of ultrasound energy, in combination with distal rolling members for manipulability and control of focal point depth; medical ultrasound handpiece assemblies with coupled end effectors providing a probe with a probe dilation region configured to have an average outside diameter that is equal to or greater than the average outside diameter of a probe tip and neck; as well as junctions to an ultrasonically inactive probe sheath; medical ultrasound handpiece assemblies with coupled end effectors having positionable, ultrasonically inactive probe sheath ends slidably operable to both cover and expose at least a probe tip; and u

Abstract: Ultrasound surgical apparatus are disclosed, including: medical ultrasound handpieces with proximally mounted ultrasound radiators configured to create a distally-focused beam of ultrasound energy, in combination with distal guide members for control of focal point depth; medical ultrasound handpieces with proximally mounted ultrasound radiators configured to create a distally-focused beam of ultrasound energy, in combination with distal rolling members for manipulability and control of focal point depth; medical ultrasound handpiece assemblies with coupled end effectors providing a probe with a probe dilation region configured to have an average outside diameter that is equal to or greater than the average outside diameter of a probe tip and neck; as well as junctions to an ultrasonically inactive probe sheath; medical ultrasound handpiece assemblies with coupled end effectors having positionable, ultrasonically inactive probe sheath ends slidably operable to both cover and expose at least a probe tip; and u

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device comprising a self-sensing respiratory treatment device comprising: power supply means; a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture; electronic control means operable to control said actuator; liquid supply means; valving means; wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing respiratory treatment device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal, wherein said actuator is a piezoelectric actuator, and the respiratory treatment degvice further comprising: a mouthpiece, and a fluidic interface, wherein said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator being arranged to detect a breathing pattern of a user through said mouthpiece.

Abstract: A release device for releasing a flowable preparation includes an electrical energy source, a control unit connected to the energy source, a sensor unit, a release element and an acoustic transducer. The sensor unit is a piezoelectric element suitable for picking up sound waves and/or structure-borne noise from the surrounding environment and converting them into a sensor signal which is converted in the control unit into a control signal for the release element. The release element is the same piezoelectric element and is supplied with electrical signals from the control unit and sprays at least one first preparation from at least one first container. The acoustic transducer is the same piezoelectric element and is supplied with electrical signals from the control unit, which electrical signals are converted by the piezoelectric element into audible acoustic signals in a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Abstract: A self-sensing dispensing device comprising: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control said actuator, liquid supply means for connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to said liquid dispensing element, valving means for allowing or blocking liquid to flow from said reservoir to said liquid dispensing element, wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal.

Abstract: The present liquid dispenser comprising a self-sensing dispensing device, fabric softener comprising a power supply means; a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing; electronic control means operable to control said actuator; liquid supply means; valving means for allowing or blocking liquid to flow from said reservoir through said liquid supply means to said liquid dispensing element, wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal; wherein said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator are arranged to detect presence or movement of an object in the proximity of said piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A liquid droplet spray device for ejecting a liquid as a spray of droplets has a cartridge (15) with a nozzle arrangement (13) to eject droplets, which is vibrated by a piezo element (23a) through the agency of an actuating element (23). A resonance chamber is disposed between an inner wall (15a) of the cartridge and the actuating element (23) such that the cartridge inner wall (15a) is separated by a gap having a length B from the actuating element (23), the cartridge inner wall (15a) being cap-shaped and extending along the side surfaces of the actuating element (23) and being frictionally attached to the side surfaces along a distance A. The resonance chamber (10) improves the efficiency of transmission of vibrations to the cartridge.

Abstract: A self-sensing dispensing device comprising: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control said actuator, liquid supply means for connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to said liquid dispensing element, valving means for allowing or blocking liquid to flow from said reservoir to said liquid dispensing element, wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device comprising a self-sensing respiratory treatment device comprising: power supply means; a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture; electronic control means operable to control said actuator; liquid supply means; valving means; wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing respiratory treatment device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal, wherein said actuator is a piezoelectric actuator, and the respiratory treatment device further comprising: a mouthpiece, and a fluidic interface, wherein said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator being arranged to detect a breathing pattern of a user through said mouthpiece.

Abstract: The present liquid dispenser comprising a self-sensing dispensing device, fabric softener comprising a power supply means; a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing; electronic control means operable to control said actuator; liquid supply means; valving means for allowing or blocking liquid to flow from said reservoir through said liquid supply means to said liquid dispensing element, wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal; wherein said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator are arranged to detect presence or movement of an object in the proximity of said piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: Adaptive piezoelectric actuator control system, including: a power supply, a piezoelectric actuator, a driver driving the actuator, a signal generator providing a frequency signal to the driver, a user interface allowing user input of operating conditions, memory storing parameters of the actuator, and system control means controlling the power supply, driver generator and memory so operating frequency of the actuator is monitored and regulated, wherein the driver comprises test means providing a test signal to the actuator, voltage measurement means measuring voltage applied to the actuator caused by the test signal and voltage applied to the actuator caused by the frequency signal, the system control means receiving a response signal in response to the test, and receiving voltages measured by the voltage measurement means, and comprising signal analysis means creating a response signal envelope and controlling the generator to generate a frequency signal corresponding to the envelope maximum.

Abstract: The present self-sensing dispensing device includes: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control the actuator, liquid supply means connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to the liquid dispensing element, valving means allowing or blocking liquid to flow from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element, wherein the actuator operates to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing the actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the valving means and the actuator based on the reception of the command signal.

Abstract: Adaptive piezoelectric actuator control system, including: a power supply, a piezoelectric actuator, a driver driving the actuator, a signal generator providing a frequency signal to the driver, a user interface allowing user input of operating conditions, memory storing parameters of the actuator, and system control means controlling the power supply, driver generator and memory so operating frequency of the actuator is monitored and regulated, wherein the driver comprises test means providing a test signal to the actuator, voltage measurement means measuring voltage applied to the actuator caused by the test signal and voltage applied to the actuator caused by the frequency signal, the system control means receiving a response signal in response to the test, and receiving voltages measured by the voltage measurement means, and comprising signal analysis means creating a response signal envelope and controlling the generator to generate a frequency signal corresponding to the envelope maximum.