Abstract: An aerosol-generating apparatus includes a mouthpiece, an aerosolizing thermal reactor, and an air preheating passage. The aerosolizing thermal reactor has an air inlet upstream of an aerosol outlet, and includes an aerosolizable substance chamber and a thermal distribution casing. The thermal distribution casing surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber and includes a laminate material with an at least three-layer construction including a metal middle layer between a metal outer layer and a metal inner layer. The thermal conductivity of the metal inner layer is at least double that of each of the metal outer and inner layers. The air preheating passage is located downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosolizable substance chamber, and surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber. The air preheating passage is defined by an air gap between the chamber outer wall and the metal inner layer.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating apparatus includes a mouthpiece, an aerosolizing thermal reactor, and an air preheating passage. The aerosolizing thermal reactor has an air inlet upstream of an aerosol outlet, and includes an aerosolizable substance chamber and a thermal distribution casing. The thermal distribution casing surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber and includes a laminate material with an at least three-layer construction including a metal middle layer between a metal outer layer and a metal inner layer. The thermal conductivity of the metal inner layer is at least double that of each of the metal outer and inner layers. The air preheating passage is located downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosolizable substance chamber, and surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber. The air preheating passage is defined by an air gap between the chamber outer wall and the metal inner layer.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating apparatus includes a mouthpiece, an aerosolizing thermal reactor, and an air preheating passage. The aerosolizing thermal reactor has an air inlet upstream of an aerosol outlet, and includes an aerosolizable substance chamber and a thermal distribution casing. The thermal distribution casing surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber and includes a laminate material with an at least three-layer construction including a metal middle layer between a metal outer layer and a metal inner layer. The thermal conductivity of the metal inner layer is at least double that of each of the metal outer and inner layers. The air preheating passage is located downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosolizable substance chamber, and surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber. The air preheating passage is defined by an air gap between the chamber outer wall and the metal inner layer.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating apparatus includes a mouthpiece, an aerosolizing thermal reactor, and an air preheating passage. The aerosolizing thermal reactor has an air inlet upstream of an aerosol outlet, and includes an aerosolizable substance chamber and a thermal distribution casing. The thermal distribution casing surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber and includes a laminate material with an at least three-layer construction including a metal middle layer between a metal outer layer and a metal inner layer. The thermal conductivity of the metal inner layer is at least double that of each of the metal outer and inner layers. The air preheating passage is located downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosolizable substance chamber, and surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber. The air preheating passage is defined by an air gap between the chamber outer wall and the metal inner layer.

Abstract: A beverage container includes a base, a stem, and a bowl. The base has a base lateral dimension parallel to the horizontal supporting plane. The stem extends upwardly from a stem lower end coupled to the base to a stem upper end. The stem has a heat pipe extending between the stem lower end and the stem upper end. The stem has a stem lateral dimension smaller than the base lateral dimension. The bowl is coupled to the stem upper end and extends upwardly of the stem. The bowl defines a liquid chamber having an upper opening. Other beverage containers, systems, methods, and heat transfer pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beverage container includes a base, a stem, and a bowl. The base has a base lateral dimension parallel to the horizontal supporting plane. The stem extends upwardly from a stem lower end coupled to the base to a stem upper end. The stem has a heat pipe extending between the stem lower end and the stem upper end. The stem has a stem lateral dimension smaller than the base lateral dimension. The bowl is coupled to the stem upper end and extends upwardly of the stem. The bowl defines a liquid chamber having an upper opening. Other beverage containers, systems, methods, and heat transfer pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless physiological monitoring system. The system includes at least one wireless sensor and a monitoring device which are linked to one another of a wireless fashion for measuring physiological signals of a patient. The at least one wireless sensor is located on the patient and may comprise a wireless surface electrode assembly or a wireless needle assembly. The system may also comprise a wireless stimulator synchronized with the wireless sensor for performing certain diagnostic tests, such as nerve conduction velocity tests, for example. The wireless sensor preferably includes active, reference and common conductors. The common conductor can be used to measure the common mode voltage of the patient in the vicinity of the testing, and this voltage can then be subtracted from the measured active and reference voltages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a mask assembly for use in treatment systems for treating obstructive sleep apnea using continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). The mask assembly comprises a mask or nasal interface for supplying gas to the nose of a wearer of the mask assembly. The mask assembly also comprises a strap or harness attached to the mask for securing the mask assembly to the wearer and sensors located on the mask assembly for measuring physiological signals of the wearer. These physiological signals are communicated to a monitoring unit which, in association with a CPAP device, serves to determine the efficacy of the CPAP treatment and to vary operational parameters of the treatment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless physiological monitoring system. The system includes at least one wireless sensor and a monitoring device which are linked to one another of a wireless fashion for measuring physiological signals of a patient. The at least one wireless sensor is located on the patient and may comprise a wireless surface electrode assembly or a wireless needle assembly. The system may also comprise a wireless stimulator synchronized with the wireless sensor for performing certain diagnostic tests, such as nerve conduction velocity tests, for example. The wireless sensor preferably includes active, reference and common conductors. The common conductor can be used to measure the common mode voltage of the patient in the vicinity of the testing, and this voltage can then be subtracted from the measured active and reference voltages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to needles having more than one electrode and which are particularly suited for use in electromyography. One embodiment relates to a tripolar needle having three concentric electrodes. The tripolar needle is formed by providing a needle blank having first and second concentric electrodes and forming a third concentric electrode around the needle blank. The tripolar needle has an outer diameter which is substantially constant along the shaft of the needle, except at the tip, where the needle is sharpened.