Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for use in an aerosol-generating system is provided, the aerosol-generating device including a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article; a heat exchanger having a first portion proximate to the cavity and a second portion distal to the cavity for capturing heat from a lighter; and a retractable cover, wherein the retractable cover is movable from a first position in which the retractable cover covers the second portion of the heat-exchanger to a second position in which the second portion of the heat exchanger is exposed for heating by a lighter and wherein the retractable cover is configured to automatically return from the second position to the first position when the second portion of the heat exchanger reaches a threshold temperature.

Abstract: An inhalation device includes a mouthpiece and a heater having a rigid planar substrate which supports at least one resistive element portion applied over a first region of at least one surface of the substrate, and a pair of contacts each connected to the at least one resistive element portion at one end of the contacts and applied over a second region of the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate supports an aerosolizable composition deposited on the substrate above the resistive element portion of the heater. The mouthpiece has at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate rear and front ends thereof respectively. The heater is disposed within the mouthpiece with at least portions of the contacts being both exposed and accessible so that an electrical connection can be readily achieved when the rear end of the mouthpiece is connected to the inhalation device.

Abstract: An inhalation device includes a mouthpiece and a heater having a rigid planar substrate which supports at least one resistive element portion applied over a first region of at least one surface of the substrate, and a pair of contacts each connected to the at least one resistive element portion at one end of the contacts and applied over a second region of the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate supports an aerosolizable composition deposited on the substrate above the resistive element portion of the heater. The mouthpiece has at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate rear and front ends thereof respectively. The heater is disposed within the mouthpiece with at least portions of the contacts being both exposed and accessible so that an electrical connection can be readily achieved when the rear end of the mouthpiece is connected to the inhalation device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing an analyte detecting device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing; a penetrating member driver; a cartridge containing a plurality of penetrating members; a display on the cartridge; a linear slider on the housing, the slider coupled to a rod; and the rod moving with the slider, the rod having at least one roller. The device uses the linear motion of the slider to rotate the cartridge, punch open a new cavity and load a new penetrating member.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for use in an aerosol-generating system is provided, the aerosol-generating device including a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article; a heat exchanger having a first portion proximate to the cavity and a second portion distal to the cavity for capturing heat from a lighter; and a retractable cover, wherein the retractable cover is movable from a first position in which the retractable cover covers the second portion of the heat-exchanger to a second position in which the second portion of the heat exchanger is exposed for heating by a lighter and wherein the retractable cover is configured to automatically return from the second position to the first position when the second portion of the heat exchanger reaches a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Scales include at least one transducer, a weighing pan arranged such that weight applied to the weighing pan is referred to the transducer, and electronics which receive an output from the transducer and drive a display to provide a user with a visible indication of the weight applied to the weighing pan. The transducer and electronics are contained in a sealed enclosure defined at least in part by a flexible water-tight membrane which is able to move and thereby (a) to accommodate changes of volume of the sealed enclosure without creating a pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the sealed enclosure and (b) to accommodate movement of the weighing pan. The water-tight membrane may include a double film comprising a saturated salt solution between two films.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing an analyte detecting device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing; a penetrating member driver; a cartridge containing a plurality of penetrating members; a display on the cartridge; a linear slider on the housing, the slider coupled to a rod; and the rod moving with the slider, the rod having at least one roller. The device uses the linear motion of the slider to rotate the cartridge, punch open a new cavity and load a new penetrating member.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system using a low-pressure liquid nitrogen supply, which requires only 0.5 to 15 bar of pressure to provide adequate cooling power for treatment of typical breast lesions. The pressure may be provided by supplying lightly pressurized air into the dewar, by heating a small portion of the nitrogen in the dewar, or with a small low pressure pump.

Abstract: A cryoprobe for use in cryosurgery and other applications comprising a rigid outer tube, an inner coolant inlet tube a short rigid penetrating segment extending distally from the distal end of the outer tube and a helical-shaped baffle having a heating element disposed about the outer surface of the inlet tube. The baffle is adapted to produce turbulent fluid flow improving heat transfer and is able to warm target tissue during rapid freezing and thawing cycles.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system using a low-pressure liquid nitrogen supply, which requires only 0.5 to 1 bar of pressure to provide adequate cooling power for treatment of typical breast lesions. The pressure may be provided by supplying lightly pressurized air into the dewar, by heating a small portion of the nitrogen in the dewar, or with a small low pressure pump.

Abstract: A cryoprobe having an exhaust heater placed in fluid communication with exhausting cryogen to heat the cryogen prior to being vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the presence of one or more chromophores in a tissue sample, comprises a light source for projecting light to illuminate an area of such tissue sample, a photo-receptor for receiving light remitted by the illuminated area of tissue, and spectroscopic analyser means for monitoring the remitted light, a comparator having means for comparing variations in the intensity and spectral characteristics of the remitted light with respect to the intensity and spectral characteristics of the projected light at different wavelengths and with a record of the intensity and spectral characteristics of light remitted by a reference sample of such tissue and means for emitting a control signal in response to any such variations. Methods of analyzing tissue histology, especially skin histology, are discussed, and a mathematical model is proposed for the analysis and comparison of the remitted light with a reference sample.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.