Abstract: A method of designing a clock distribution network in an integrated circuit, the method including: creating a clock distribution network with all cells having a maximum drive strength; supplying parameters of the clock distribution network to a timing analysis tool; in the timing analysis tool, analyzing the timing of the clock distribution network in an iterative process including manipulating the drive strength of at least one cell in the clock distribution network and assessing whether there is an improvement in the timing, wherein the iterative process ceases where there is no improvement in the timing; and outputting a list of cells for which the drive strength was changed.

Abstract: A method of replacing standard cells with high speed cells in the design of a circuit using a computer program, said application specific integrated circuit design comprising a plurality of high speed cells and a plurality of standard cells, said high speed cells and standard cells being arranged to form a plurality of paths on said application specific integrated circuit, said method comprising the steps of: timing said plurality of paths identifying cells occurring on paths for which timing targets are not met; upgrading at least one of said identified cells to a high speed cell.

Abstract: A steerable single or multi-compartment, sled-shaped, inflatable kite having a pair or series of substantially longitudinal gas chambers as beams, which kite, when inflated, is generally in the form of a tapered rectangle with a triangular keel attached to each outside gas chambers (and optionally attached to each of any inside gas chambers), there being a non-inflatable area between the longitudinal gas chambers that provides sail area and/or additional sail area.

Abstract: A method of replacing standard cells with high speed cells in the design of a circuit using a computer program, said application specific integrated circuit design comprising a plurality of high speed cells and a plurality of standard cells, said high speed cells and standard cells being arranged to form a plurality of paths on said application specific integrated circuit, said method comprising the steps of: timing said plurality of paths identifying cells occurring on paths for which timing targets are not met; upgrading at least one of said identified cells to a high speed cell.

Abstract: There is provided an in-line roller skate frame, consisting of a main frame (which connects directly to the skate boot) and a pair of bogeys which pivot within the mainframe on transverse axes. Each bogey will hold a pair of wheels, one outer wheel and one inner wheel per bogey. Each bogey will be acted on by a return spring, actuating when there is no weight being applied to the wheels & pivoting the bogey such that the outer wheels descend and the inner wheels ascend. At full rotation, said bogeys will have pivoted to an extent that the inner wheels do not protrude below the side wall members of the main frame.

Abstract: A handrail assembly 1 for a staircase or the like comprises a base rail R and a handrail 2 each preferably having at least one substantially flat surface (2a, FIG. 18), at least one upright post 3 and a bracket 4 to connect one rail 2 to the upright post 3, the post-to-rail bracket 4 having a base 40 for engagement with the substantially flat surface (2a, FIG. 18) of the rail 2 and a deformable portion 45 to accommodate different inclinations of the rail 2 relative to the post 3. An assembly 1 may further comprise a connector 5 to interconnect the handrail 2 with a rail 6, the connector 5 preferably having a first hollow portion with an internal cross-sectional shape to match the cross-section of the handrail 2, the handrail 2 extending at least partially into the first hollow portion.

Abstract: Scheduling circuitry, for use for example in an ATM network unit to schedule cell transmissions, includes a master calendar (1) for holding entries corresponding respectively to events (cell transmissions) that are to occur within a preselected master-calendar scheduling range (SR), and a slave calendar (12) for holding entries corresponding respectively to events that are to occur beyond that scheduling range. When an event is to be scheduled, calendar control circuitry (24) makes an entry corresponding thereto in the slave calendar (12) if the interval between a current time and a desired scheduling time for the event exceeds said scheduling range. The entry in the slave calendar includes timing information representing the desired scheduling time. The calendar control circuitry monitors the entries in the slave calendar (12) and causes an entry therein whose corresponding event becomes within the scheduling range to be transferred to the master calendar (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to drugs delivery devices, in particular, those for dispensing a metered dose of medicament. There is provided apparatus (10, 110) for dispensing a medicament wherein at least a portion of one or more of the surfaces of components of the apparatus which come into contact with the medicament during storage or dispensing has a layer of a poly-para-xylylene polymer also known as parylene bonded to at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inhalation apparatus for dispensing an inhalable substance and, in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for use in the delivery of therapeutic substances to the human lung. There is provided and apparatus for dispensing an aerosol of electrostatically charged droplets including a housing having an open end duct in which are located a first electrode having an upper surface lying in a generally longitudinal plane of the duct and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode. The apparatus further includes means for delivering a metered quantity of liquid to the upper surface of the first electrode for atomization, and charging means for applying a higher potential to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode to effect atomization.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing impurities from an elastomer intended for medical or pharmaceutical use, which includes a step of performing a first solvent extraction process on the elastomer by contacting the elastomer with a first extracting solvent in a non-supercritical state to substantially remove impurities from the elastomer, thereby leaving a residue of said first extracting solvent in the elastomer. The elastomer is there after subjected to a second solvent extraction process, by contacting the elastomer with a second extracting solvent, which is a supercritical fluid or a mixture of super critical fluids, in order to remove substantially reduce the concentration of the residue of the first extracting solvent remaining in the elastomer after the first solvent extraction process.

Abstract: A method of cleaning or purifying elastomers and elastomeric articles which are intended for medical or pharmaceutical use is disclosed. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention has applicability to elastomers which are used in metering valves for pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs).

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus which defines an outlet through which a metered dose of liquid from a reservoir is dispersed as an atomized spray. A droplet of liquid is metered onto a perforate membrane which is vibrated by way of a piezoelectric transducer such that atomized droplets are dispensed through the holes formed in the membrane. At each actuation of a delivery device, which provides the metered quantity of liquid, the transducer is actuated so as to vibrate the membrane for a period greater than the dispensing period required for the droplet to be dispensed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for dispensing pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: A gas supply (30) supplies pressurized gas to a nozzle (1) such that a flow of gas is discharged through an aperture (77) defined between a lip (3) of the nozzle and a vibrating diaphragm (9). A liquid dispenser (42) introduces a metered quantity of liquid into the gas flow such that the liquid droplets are atomized by the vibrating diaphragm. The diaphragm is held under tension so that it is vibrated by the gas flow. The supply of gas may be a manually operated displacement or diaphragm pump or may be a pressurized gas container. Metered doses may be dispensed for oral inhalation without providing external energy source for the vibration of the diaphragm.