Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion zone where a gas is introduced and fuel is combusted and at least one sensor for measuring a predetermined condition in the gasifier. A grate subsystem contains the fuel and includes at least one grinding mechanism. A controller is responsive to the at least one sensor and controls the grinding mechanism by activating the grinding mechanism if the predetermined condition exists to reduce the collection of non-fuel products on the grate subsystem.

Abstract: A dispenser for mixing and dispensing a liquid chemical concentrate from a container with a dilutent. The dispenser includes a rotatable and slideable eductor assembly. Both a high and low flow rate can be obtained with simultaneous adjustment of concentration of the chemical concentrate. The dispenser has a high degree of accuracy of the amount of dilution of the chemical concentrate as well as positive positioning of the high and low flow rate. The dispenser also provides for proper selection of concentrate during operation and has a lock-in feature during operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for improving performance of parallel database query plans are described. An exchange operator is positioned in a query tree. A child operator of the exchange operator is parallelized into a plurality of parallel child operators, each of the parallel child operators coupled to the exchange operator in a respective branch of a plurality of parallel branches of the query tree. An output of each of the plurality of parallel child operators may be buffered at the exchange operator. Furthermore, child operators of the plurality of parallel child operators may also be parallelized. Query plans of any form and containing any number of operators may be parallelized in this manner. Any number of parallel branches may be used, independent of the number of operators in the original plan. The parallelized query plans achieve effective load balancing across all branches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dermal flowable-composition dispenser that includes a body for retaining a supply of the composition, an application portion having an application surface, and a conduit connecting the supply chamber with the application surface for facilitating the reproducible delivery of a predetermined dose of the composition to the application surface. The application surface includes a concave application surface and a front side having an upper rim enclosing the application surface and forming a depression that has a volume that is greater than or equal to the volume of the predetermine dose. Also, the application surface is configured and dimensioned such it can receive the patient's skin to allow for removal of the predetermined dose of the composition, and wherein the concave application surface is shaped such that the entire application surface contacts the patient's skin when the application surface is pressed thereagainst.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus including an adapter assembly and a catheter assembly. The adapter assembly includes ventilator, respiratory, access, and flush ports. The access port includes a conduit defining a passageway. The flush port projects from the conduit and is fluidly open to the passageway at an outlet. The catheter assembly includes a catheter assembled to a fitting. The fitting includes a hub and a tube, with the tube defining an exterior surface, an interior surface forming a lumen, a circumferential groove in the exterior surface, and a plurality of apertures fluidly open to the lumen and the circumferential groove. The tube is sized to be slidably received within the passageway such that upon final assembly, a fluid pathway is formed between the flush port and a distal end of the catheter via the flush port outlet, the circumferential groove, the plurality of apertures, and the lumen.

Abstract: A minimally invasive tracheal fluid removal device and corresponding method of use for removing accumulated subglottic secretions in an intubated patient's endotracheal tube. The device may be configured as a dual-track or single-tube suction guidance system. This device presents a significant improvement over the art as it eliminates the need to reintubate the patient each time the suction mechanism is removed to be cleaned.

Abstract: Modifications of an inhaler and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, an inhaler may include one or more systems and/or methods that function to inhibit a child from accessing medicant from an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a child from accessing an opening of an inhaler from which medicants are dispensed. In some embodiments, a system may inhibit a child from removing a cap for an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a child from actuating an activation mechanism for an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a user and/or a child from accidentally actuating an activation mechanism for an inhaler multiple times possibly resulting in an overdose. A system may function to inhibit an activation mechanism for an inhaler from actuating after the activation mechanism has been actuated a predetermined number of times. An inhaler may include a security fitting which functions to permanently plug an inhaler once a prescribed user is finished with the inhaler.

Abstract: An inhaler device (1) contains, or is capable of accepting, a plurality of doses of a medicament to be dispensed from the inhaler (1). To ameliorate the problem of double dosing from the inhaler (1), the device further comprises prevention means (26, 28, 40) for preventing, at least temporarily, the dispensing of a dose of medicament, and detection means (32) for detecting the inhalation of a previously dispensed dose of medicament. When the detection means (32) detects the inhalation of the previously dispensed dose of medicament, it releases the prevention means (26, 28, 40), allowing the device to dispense a further dose of medicament. The detection means (32) may be a pressure sensor, and the prevention means (26, 28, 40) may operate by causing a disengagement of an actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler, including a powder dispersion engine with one or more beads in a dispersion chamber, an airflow path leading into the dispersion chamber, an elongated tape with spaced apart blisters, each blister holding a dose of a dry powder, and blister opening mechanism that sequentially opens the blisters on the elongated tape and releases the dose of each blister into the airflow path.

Abstract: A dispenser for mixing and dispensing a liquid chemical concentrate from a container with a dilutent. The dispenser includes a rotatable and slideable eductor assembly. Both a high and low flow rate can be obtained with simultaneous adjustment of concentration of the chemical concentrate. The dispenser has a high degree of accuracy of the amount of dilution of the chemical concentrate as well as positive positioning of the high and low flow rate. The dispenser also provides for proper selection of concentrate during operation and has a lock-in feature during operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for improving performance of parallel database query plans are described. An exchange operator is positioned in a query tree. A child operator of the exchange operator is parallelized into a plurality of parallel child operators, each of the parallel child operators coupled to the exchange operator in a respective branch of a plurality of parallel branches of the query tree. An output of each of the plurality of parallel child operators may be buffered at the exchange operator. Furthermore, child operators of the plurality of parallel child operators may also be parallelized. Query plans of any form and containing any number of operators may be parallelized in this manner. Any number of parallel branches may be used, independent of the number of operators in the original plan. The parallelized query plans achieve effective load balancing across all branches.

Abstract: A dispenser for mixing and dispensing a liquid chemical concentrate from a container with a dilutent. The dispenser includes a two piece slideable eductor assembly, one of which is also rotatable. Both a high and low flow rate can be obtained with simultaneous adjustment of concentration of the chemical concentrate. The dispenser has a high degree of accuracy of the amount of dilution of the chemical concentrate as well as positive positioning of the high and low flow rate. The dispenser also provides for proper selection of concentrate during operation and has a lock-in feature during operation.

Abstract: A database system and methodology for generalized order optimization is described.

Abstract: An auto-injector for dispensing a predetermined dose of medicament is disclosed. The auto-injector includes a needle cover operative to engage an injection site. The needle cover is configured to move from a retracted position prior to a medicament dispensing operation to an extended locked position after the medicament dispensing operation. Any residual activation force remaining after the medicament dispensing operation is contained within the auto-injector and is not directed to the needle cover, thus attenuating, if not eliminating, any kickback effect.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler, including a housing having an airflow path leading from an inlet, past a powder release location, to a mouthpiece; a drive spool engaged with a capstan adjacent to the powder release location; a spring biasing a ratchet into engagement with the drive spool; and a breath trigger in the airflow path. The breath trigger is moveable from a first position, wherein the breath trigger holds the ratchet, to a second position, wherein the breath trigger releases the ratchet to allow the ratchet to turn the drive spool.

Abstract: A method for operating a dry powder inhaler, the dry powder inhaler having a dose tape having spaced apart doses of a powder pharmaceutical, each dose being in a respective sealed blister. The inhaler includes a breath actuated blister opening system that sequentially opens a blister on the tape. The method involves routing the dose tape between first and second rotating elements; spring biasing the first rotating element to turn in a first direction; holding the first rotating element from rotating against the spring biasing; and releasing the first rotating element, and allowing it to rotate a fraction of one rotation, when air flows adjacent to the first rotating element.

Abstract: A resettable training device and method for training a user on the operation of an auto-injector for dispensing a medicament are provided. The user can operate the training device to simulate an auto-injector operation and then reset the training device to repeat the injector operation. The training device includes a housing, a cover member slidably received within the housing between a retracted operative position and an extended inoperative position, a spring member for biasing the cover member into the extended position, an actuation assembly that controls the movement of the cover member from the retracted position to the extended position in response to activation of the trainer by the user, a safety pin, and in some embodiments at least one releasable locking assembly to prevent movement of the cover member from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip.

Abstract: A dose tape for use in a dry powder inhaler has blisters formed in a formpack layer. A lidstock layer is attached over the formpack layer, to seal a dose of dry powder within each of the blisters. A tear strip is attached to the lidstock layer over each of the blisters. Pulling on the tear strip shears out an area of the lidstock over the blister, unsealing the powder contents.

Abstract: A radiopaque diagnostic kit, tool and method for helping a practitioner define an optimal anatomical location of a patient to perform diagnostic and interventional procedures.