Abstract: A system and method for detection and monitoring of medical conditions and physical and/or cognitive impairments are provided. In embodiments, the system of the present invention utilizes inertial measurements and, in some embodiments, imaging to quantify body movements and conditions. In embodiments, the present system incorporates one or more inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, a camera, computer vision, and a series of standardized body movements. In additional embodiments, the present system incorporates one or more IMU sensors and a series of standardized body movements without the use of a camera or computer vision. In embodiments, the present system creates and stores a personalized “digital twin” of a patient or subject's functional musculoskeletal capabilities. Such digital twin acts as a reference model of the patient or subject.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for the detection of dental caries. The apparatus generates longitudinal ultrasound waves that may be applied to any accessible surface of a tooth. The reflected ultrasound pulse echoes are collected and correlated with the incident pulse. The ultrasound pulse echoes from the front and rear surface of a dental cavity may be distinguished from other echoes, and provided in visual display to inform as to the size and location of the cavity.

Abstract: Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

Abstract: Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. In one embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling. The system includes a container handling mechanism that includes a container block defining a container receptacle, and a cap carrier defining a cap receptacle. The system also includes a dosing portion having a dosing plate defining a dosing hole. The dosing plate is movable between two positions so that when the dosing plate is in the first position the dosing hole is positioned to receive a dose of powder. When the dosing plate is in the second position, the dosing hole is positioned to dispense the dose of powder into the container receptacle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. In one embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling. The system includes a container handling mechanism that includes a container block defining a container receptacle, and a cap carrier defining a cap receptacle. The system also includes a dosing portion having a dosing plate defining a dosing hole. The dosing plate is movable between two positions so that when the dosing plate is in the first position the dosing hole is positioned to receive a dose of powder. When the dosing plate is in the second position, the dosing hole is positioned to dispense the dose of powder into the container receptacle.

Abstract: Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

Abstract: Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. In one embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling. The system includes a container handling mechanism that includes a container block defining a container receptacle, and a cap carrier defining a cap receptacle. The system also includes a dosing portion having a dosing plate defining a dosing hole. The dosing plate is movable between two positions so that when the dosing plate is in the first position the dosing hole is positioned to receive a dose of powder. When the dosing plate is in the second position, the dosing hole is positioned to dispense the dose of powder into the container receptacle.

Abstract: Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. In one embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling. The system includes a container handling mechanism that includes a container block defining a container receptacle, and a cap carrier defining a cap receptacle. The system also includes a dosing portion having a dosing plate defining a dosing hole. The dosing plate is movable between two positions so that when the dosing plate is in the first position the dosing hole is positioned to receive a dose of powder. When the dosing plate is in the second position, the dosing hole is positioned to dispense the dose of powder into the container receptacle.

Abstract: In a communications system, a method is described for controlling the excess usage of a finite resource through which information flows by a plurality of sources having an "excess" state. For each source a determination is made as to whether the source is in the excess state. If the excess information rate is less than a predetermined fair information rate, the information is passed to the resource. If the excess information rate is greater than the fair information rate, the information is discarded.

Abstract: In a method implementing redundancy in LAN/WAN bridging/switching elements, LAN/WAN traffic is sent to active and inactive elements using multicast techniques. The active element bridges the data traffic and the inactive drops it.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding lepidopteran gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) gated chloride channels. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acids encoding lepidopteran GABA gated chloride channels are isolatable from Heliothis virescens. The invention further provides recombinant lepidopteran GABA gated chloride channels and methods for identifying agonists and antagonists to a lepidopteran GABA gated chloride channels.