Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: The present invention includes controlled release dosage forms and methods of designing and manufacturing dosage forms to obtain specific release profiles, for example, zero-order release profiles, escalating release profiles or decreasing release profiles. The dosage forms of the present invention can include spatial variation of API concentration in the dosage form and can include nested regions. Dosage forms according to the present invention may be manufactured by any appropriate method for obtaining the internal structure as disclosed herein for producing zero-order release profiles and increasing or decreasing release profiles. The invention further includes methods of manufacturing such dosage forms, such as by three-dimensional printing, possibly also including compression of the dosage form after three-dimensional printing. The invention further includes methods of designing such dosage forms.

Abstract: A uniaxially compressed dosage form manufactured by three-dimensional printing that preserves the predetermined internal architecture of the dosage form while producing an improved surface finish. The compression compacts the dosage form, eliminating at least some of the void space that remains at the end of conventional three-dimensional printing. Surface finish obtained as a result of the uniaxial compression process can be essentially equal to that obtained from conventional tablet pressing. Additionally, the internal structure or spatial variation of composition of the dosage form is preserved during the pressing operation, with geometric shrinkage occurring mostly in the direction of the axis of pressing. Further, as a result of compression, a greater quantity of API can be packed into a given final volume of dosage form.

Abstract: A device for controlling or altering the temperature of a liquid at the point of dispensing. A temperature-altering device is thermally coupled to a dispensing device to compensate for heat dissipated into the liquid as it passes through the dispensing device during dispensing. The dispensing device may be for example, a miniature solenoid valve (microvalve), a piezoelectric printhead, or the like. According to aspects of the invention, a temperature-altering device provides or reduces heat at the point of dispensing in order to alter, control or maintain a constant temperature of the dispensed liquid. As a result, improvement is obtained in the consistency of the fluid regime of the dispensed droplet stream. The temperature-altering device may be a thermoelectric device capable of moving heat either from or to the dispensing structure, or may be a heater.

Abstract: A method of cleaning surfaces using a mixed phase cleaning mixture of an aqueous solution and a flow of gas sufficient to produce droplets of the liquid which are entrained by the gas for a time sufficient to clean tubing of various lengths and geometries and porous membranes to remove biofilm, debris and contaminants.

Abstract: A method of cleaning surfaces using a mixed phase cleaning mixture of an aqueous solution and a flow of gas sufficient to produce droplets of the liquid which are entrained by the gas for a time sufficient to clean tubing of various lengths and geometries and porous membranes to remove biofilm, debris and contaminants.

Abstract: A wetting-resistant nozzle for accurately and precisely dispensing small volumes of liquids. The nozzle comprises an internal flowpath, and an external surface that recedes from the discharge point at an angle greater than 90 degrees, and an exceptionally low surface energy for the external surface. The low surface energy material may exist as a coating on top of a shaped substrate. A flat land region may be included and may have sharp edges, one of which may define the boundary of the low surface energy region. Another embodiment includes the low surface energy material as a bulk material through which a hole is drilled. The internal flowpath inside the nozzle may be smoothly tapered. Liquid being dispensed tends not to advance past the edge of the low surface energy region, which may coincide with a geometrically sharp edge. Such nozzles provide improved dispensing of liquids that have both low surface tension and low viscosity, such as organic solvents.

Abstract: The rapid design and manufacture of biomedical devices such as implants, oral dosage pills and implantable pharmaceuticals employs electronic data and modeling transmissions via a computer network. Patient information and patient-specific radiological data is captured and transmitted via a computer network to a design and/or manufacturing site. A multi-dimensional digital model is created based on the radiological data and patient information. Communications interchanges between a clinical/diagnostic site and a design/manufacturing site permit modification of the digital model until approved. The approved digital model is converted into machine instructions to construct the biomedical device. Alternatively, the digital model is employed in a best fit selection of a biomedical device from a pre-existing set of biomedical devices or machine-instructions. Transmittal of data over computer networks is further directed to the use of a Website to perform various client-interaction and follow-up tasks.

Abstract: A method of rapid design and manufacture of biomedical devices using electronic data and modeling transmissions, wherein such transmissions are transferred via a computer network. The method includes capturing patient-specific diagnostic imaged data, converting the data to a digital computer file, transmitting the converted data via the computer network to a remote manufacturing site, converting the computer file into a multi-dimensional model and then into machine instructions, and constructing the biomedical implant. The present invention is further directed to the preparation of rapid-prototyped pharmaceutical forms, including oral dosage pills and implantable pharmaceuticals, with transmittal of such data over computer networks being used to significantly increase the cost effectiveness and responsiveness, and is further directed to the use of a website to perform various client-interaction and follow-up tasks.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled chamber, such as an inerted oven for soldering, in which the buoyancy-induced motion of gas at the opening of the chamber is suppressed by adjusting the densities of gases. In one embodiment the inertant gas is chosen to be a mixture of inert gases such that the density of warm gas inside the oven approximately equals the density of the external atmosphere. In another embodiment, a buffer region of density-matched warm air is provided between the warm inertant inside the oven and the external atmosphere. The result is reduction in the consumption of inertant.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing high pressure fluid from an associated pressure vessel has connecting means for connecting to the pressure vessel, a support sleeve which has an axial and a radial opening, a sealing disc, supporting means which may be a trap door, a rotatable column, or a support plug and a protractor or retractor for selectively removing the supporting means and thus opening the sealing means. The sealing means can also be opened spontaneously, operating as a relief valve.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing pressurized fluid from an associated pressure vessel has sealing means for use in sealing an opening in the associated pressure vessel, supporting means for supporting the sealing means, first opening means for selectively opening the sealing means by removing the supporting means and, damping control means for damping the supporting means and also regulating the release of the high pressure fluid. To release pressurized fluid from the pressure vessel, the supporting means is removed out of supporting relationship with a sealing means. Next the supporting means is moved along its axis without damping, then with damping and, finally, with relatively light damping.

Abstract: An inflator includes a vessel for a source of gas under pressure. A pulse shaping valving means in the form of a Belleville washer or a sliding valve actuated by a Belleville washer operates to shape the pulse of gas flowing out of the vessel. Other than for a brief initial moment the flowrate of gas has a slower value over time followed by an instantaneous more rapid value followed by a tapering off.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator is operable over a wide range of initial temperatures and such that the dependence of its total output as a function of initial temperature is substantially reduced.A vessel contains gas under pressure and has a seated outlet for the gas which is adapted to open upon command and permit passage of the gas therethrough.A thermal reservoir element is provided.A first exiting flowpath directs gas so that it substantially bypasses or avoids thermal contact with the thermal reservoir element.A second exiting flowpath directs whatever gas does not leave through the first exiting flowpath through the thermal reservoir element so that the gas has substantial thermal contact with the thermal reservoir element.A temperature-dependent flow control means varies the amount of gas passing through each of the aforementioned flowpaths.

Abstract: A double-pancake coil having first and second pancakes may comprise a plurality of conductor means, each conductor means having a different grade and having one or more conductors, wherein each pancake of said double-pancake coil is comprised of inner and outer turns; wherein said inner turns are comprised of at least one of said conductor means wound about an axis and nested within one another; wherein said outer turns are comprised of said inner conductor means and at least one other conductor means co-wound about said inner turns and nested within one another; wherein each of said conductor means is wound along said axis from said first pancake to said second pancake at a different turn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high efficiency non-tracking solar collector device of the type in which a reflector, lens or like concentrating apparatus concentrates received energy along a path, locus or band, the location of which varies within a range during the course of the solar collecting period of the day responsive to the inclination of the sun relative to the reflector. The device is characterized by the provision of a collector assembly which includes an energy absorptive receptor surface spaced from the reflector in accordance with the focal length thereof, the receptor surface defining a boundary of a plurality of parallel paths or conduits within which heat transfer fluid is caused to flow.