Abstract: An apparatus comprises a main body member; and a transducer in communication with the main body member, the transducer adapted to receive an acceleration force imparted to the main body member. A method for assessing acceleration forces imparted to an apparatus comprises a main body member and transducer in communication with the main body member, the transducer adapted to receive the external acceleration force imparted to the main body member, wherein the transducer converts the acceleration forces to electrical signals and the acceleration forces are accessed.

Abstract: An axial force measurement apparatus (40) comprises a head member (42) adapted for receiving force imparted by an external force-applying source, and a transducer (44) such as a load cell for measuring the amount of force applied to the head member (42). Electronic circuitry (61) for receiving, processing, storing and/or sending electrical information generated by the transducer is provided either externally to the measurement apparatus (40), or is integrated with the apparatus (40). The apparatus (40) can be used to calibrate the valve crimping station (75) and/or the test firing station (125) of a metered dose delivery canister production line. The apparatus (40) is designed to emulate an actual canister (12).

Abstract: A testing apparatus and method for characterizing the aerodynamic particle size of an atomized medicament emitted from a metered dose inhaler unit during testing with a particle characterization device in which the testing apparatus includes a first clamp of a first fixture in removable clamping and locking engagement with a throat, which is in fluid communication with a particle characterization device, a second clamp in removable clamping and locking engagement with a delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit having a canister, containing atomized medicament, operatively loaded therein, an alignment mechanism that removably couples the first fixture to the second fixture at an aligned position therefore causing the throat to be in fluid communication with the delivery device, and an actuation assembly mounted to the first fixture having means that operatively thrusts the canister into the delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit, thus releasing atomized medicament.

Abstract: An axial force measurement apparatus (40) comprises a head member (42) adapted for receiving force imparted by an external force-applying source, and a transducer (44) such as a load cell for measuring the amount of force applied to the head member (42). Electronic circuitry (61) for receiving, processing, storing and/or sending electrical information generated by the transducer is provided either externally to the measurement apparatus (40), or is integrated with the apparatus (40). The apparatus (40) can be used to calibrate the valve crimping station (75) and/or the test firing station (125) of a metered dose delivery canister production line. The apparatus (40) is designed to emulate an actual canister (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ spectroscopic analysis comprising a flow cell having a region of reasonable flow, the region of reasonable flow having a flow rate less than approximately 20% of the maximum flow rate, and first and second probes having optic cable member ends with a path length in the range of 20 &mgr;m to 1 mm that are disposed in the region of reasonable flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ spectroscopic analysis of a flowable material comprising a flow cell having a flow passage and means for introducing the flowable material into the flow passage, first probe means for transmitting a given wavelength of light into the flow passage, second probe means for detecting the emission light from the flowable material, and control means for providing the light to the first probe means and analyzing the emission light detected by the second probe means. The first and second probe means include optic means that project into a region of reasonable flow in the flow passage. The first and second probe means also have a path length in the range of 1 &mgr;m to 10 mm.

Abstract: An automated biological cell harvesting apparatus including a fluid dispensing head adapted to move to a lowered position and dispense fluid from a plurality of spray ports, a fixed upper tray positioned beneath the fluid dispensing head for supporting a biological filter plate of the type defining a plurality of fluid permeable wells therein, a vertically movable lower tray adapted to move from a lowermost position to a raised position in engagement with the upper tray. A controller is provided for dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing head into the wells of the filter plate, and raising the lower tray into its raised position in engagement with the upper tray and then creating a vacuum between the lower tray and the upper tray to draw the fluid from the filter plate supported on the upper tray into the lower tray for collection in a microplate with a corresponding number of wells or, in the absence of a microplate, for removal of the fluid from the lower tray to a remote common waste collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerosol dispensing apparatus, more particularly to aerosol dispensing valves incorporating a controlled metered dispensing function wherein the metering chamber holding the next aerosolized dose is in fluidic communication with the reservoir allowing homogenous mixing of the next aerosolized dose to be dispensed.