Abstract: A construction method and apparatus used to form a surround, container or other structure. Posts have slots into which walls, which may be planks or made up of planks, are inserted and retained. Numerous posts may be used with numerous walls therebetween to form many and varied structures. The finished structure is modular, because the posts and walls are not damaged when the walls mount in the slots. Therefore, if more or fewer posts and/or walls are desired later, one need merely disassemble the structure and add the components desired to the existing structure. The walls may have fittings that attach to the inserted ends that cooperate with structures in the slots formed in the posts so the walls are held from being removed from the slots except along the length of the slots.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metering devices, systems, and methods that mitigate differential thermal expansion/contraction for the efficient, accurate, and reproducible metered delivery of fluids. The present invention allows the net fluid volume and a plunger location within a fluid dispensing container to automatically adjust under the influence of differential thermal expansion/contraction between the fluid and the fluid dispensing container that the fluid is contained within. Further, the present invention allows the metering system drive to sense the adjusted plunger location and allows the metering system drive to re-zero itself to produce an accurate volumetric delivery of fluid from the fluid dispensing container. The metering system includes means for controlling the travel of the metering system drive, and hence the travel of the plunger into the fluid dispensing container, for delivering accurate/precise amounts of the fluid from the fluid dispensing container.

Abstract: An improved Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) nozzle particularly suitable for a handheld pulmonary aerosol inhaler increases the consistent and efficient dispensing of therapeutic liquids by reducing or eliminating wetting through shielding of discharge electrodes. Some versions further eliminate wetting while enhances neutralization of the aerosol through presentation of a corona wind of ions annularly surround the aerosol. Incorporation of improved liquid distribution with consistent pressure drops to each EHD nozzle tip allows horizontal dispensing, and by using dielectric nozzle tips with low surface energy to thereby avoid wicking between dispenses and to advantageously reduce achievable particle size when dispensing. Some versions feature enhanced snap-fit assembly and other manufacturability advantages. One of the unique features of the EHD nozzles is achieved high dose rate (microliters/minute) with low wetting and small particle size (1.0-5 microns), although these properties tend to be mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A squeeze-to-set medical clamp having a first unset position and a second set position is disclosed. The clamp generally includes a primary arm, a secondary arm, a resilient arm connector, a top jaw, a lower jaw, and a deflector. The clamp is generally configured to receive a portion of the human or animal anatomy between the top jaw and the lower jaw when the clamp is in the second set position. In order to transition the clamp from the first unset position to the second set position a force is applied to the primary and secondary arms causing at least one of the top and lower jaws to contact and translate along the deflector until the top jaw and lower jaw are deflected. Next, the force is removed from the primary and secondary arms causing the resilient arm connector to bias the top and lower jaws toward one another.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metering devices, systems, and methods that mitigate differential thermal expansion/contraction for the efficient, accurate, and reproducible metered delivery of fluids. The present invention allows the net fluid volume and a plunger location within a fluid dispensing container to automatically adjust under the influence of differential thermal expansion/contraction between the fluid and the fluid dispensing container that the fluid is contained within. Further, the present invention allows the metering system drive to sense the adjusted plunger location and allows the metering system drive to re-zero itself to produce an accurate volumetric delivery of fluid from the fluid dispensing container. The metering system includes means for controlling the travel of the metering system drive, and hence the travel of the plunger into the fluid dispensing container, for delivering accurate/precise amounts of the fluid from the fluid dispensing container.

Abstract: A medication injector apparatus such as an injection pen. The injection pen includes a resettable, cartridge plunger drive assembly including an axially floating nut, a cartridge plunger engaging screw, and a drive clutch movable with the nut and which when rotated causes the screw to screw through the nut. When a cartridge assembly is mounted to the pen base, the floating nut and drive clutch are shifted proximally such that the drive clutch is in torque transmitting engagement with a rotatable drive member of the pen, such that rotation of that drive member results in drive screw advancement through the nut in the distal direction. When the cartridge assembly is not mounted to the pen base, the floating nut and drive clutch are biased distally to disengage the drive clutch from torque transmitting engagement with the rotatable drive member and to thereby allow the drive screw to be reset proximally through the nut to a position more retracted within the pen base.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve having a valve seat, a valve seal, and valve seal housing. The assembly of the apparatus creates a plurality of inlet, exit, and cross channels enclosed by elastomeric portions of a valve seal. The elastomeric portions of the valve seal create bounded distensible chambers. Pressure exerted by a fluid in excess of the cracking pressure of the seal tends to distend portions of the elastomeric seal and allow flow through and into the chambers. When inflow pressure falls, the elastic rebound of the elastomeric portions of the seal tends to expel fluid from the valve without backflow. Cross channel capacity allows mixing of the fluids. The plurality of, and differentials between, chambers allows one fluid to completely purge the valve of other fluids. The valve may be configured with additional backflow prevention capacities, such as channel variations, secondary elastomeric members, and variations in primary membrane properties.

Abstract: An improved Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) nozzle particularly suitable for a handheld pulmonary aerosol inhaler increases the consistent and efficient dispensing of therapeutic liquids by reducing or eliminating wetting through shielding of discharge electrodes. Some versions further eliminate wetting while enhances neutralization of the aerosol through presentation of a corona wind of ions annularly surround the aerosol. Incorporation of improved liquid distribution with consistent pressure drops to each EHD nozzle tip allows horizontal dispensing, and by using dielectric nozzle tips with low surface energy to thereby avoid wicking between dispenses and to advantageously reduce achievable particle size when dispensing. Some versions feature enhanced snap-fit assembly and other manufacturability advantages. One of the unique features of the EHD nozzles is achieved high dose rate (microliters/minute) with low wetting and small particle size (1.0-5 microns), although these properties tend to be mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve having a valve seat, a valve seal, and valve seal housing. The assembly of the apparatus creates a plurality of inlet, exit, and cross channels enclosed by elastomeric portions of a valve seal. The elastomeric portions of the valve seal create bounded distensible chambers. Pressure exerted by a fluid in excess of the cracking pressure of the seal tends to distend portions of the elastomeric seal and allow flow through and into the chambers. When inflow pressure falls, the elastic rebound of the elastomeric portions of the seal tends to expel fluid from the valve without backflow. Cross channel capacity allows mixing of the fluids. The plurality of, and differentials between, chambers allows one fluid to completely purge the valve of other fluids. The valve may be configured with additional backflow prevention capacities, such as channel variations, secondary elastomeric members, and variations in primary membrane properties.