Abstract: A filling head (20) for filling a container (22) includes a receptacle (24). The receptacle (24) includes an interior surface (26) configured to receive a powder (28) and having a plurality of openings (34) disposed therein to allow passage of the powder (28); and an exterior surface (52). The exterior surface (52) of the receptacle (24) has a plurality of raised surfaces (54), each of the plurality of raised surfaces having a plurality of openings (56) aligned with at least one of the plurality of openings (34) of the interior surface (26) to allow passage of the powder (28) from the receptacle (24) to the container (22). Methods of filling a container (22) are also provided.

Abstract: An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen location in the GI tract of a mammal includes a receiver of electromagnetic radiation for powering an openable part of the device to an opened position for dispensing of the substance. The receiver includes a coiled wire that couples the energy field, the wire having an air or ferrite core. In a further embodiment the invention includes an apparatus for generating the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus including one or more pairs of field coils supported in a housing. The device optionally includes a latch defined by a heating resistor and a fusible restraint. The device may also include a flexible member that may serve one or both the functions of activating a transmitter circuit to indicate dispensing of the substance; and restraining of a piston used for expelling the substance.

Abstract: A device for dispensing individual doses of powder from respective pockets of a disc-shaped carrier by outwardly rupturing a lidding foil by means of pressure on an opposite side surface, the device providing individual respective deaggregation flow paths for each pocket, split airstreams allowing improved entrainment of powder, a cam mechanism for outwardly rupturing the pockets, an indexing mechanism linked to the cam mechanism and a dose counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling with powder (4) a container (8) having an open end, including positioning an outlet of a hopper (2) containing powder above the open end of the container (8), mechanically agitating the hopper so as to cause powder (4) to be transferred from the hopper to the container and mechanically agitating the container, wherein the steps of mechanically agitating are conducted by at least a predetermined amount sufficient to ensure that the container is filled with powder at a predetermined density.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat sealing a lidding sheet to a base, wherein the apparatus including a press for pressing a lidding sheet onto a sealing surface of a base, the press including a relatively flexible face plate and the apparatus further including a system for applying pressure to the lidding sheet with the face plate, the face plate flexing to conform to the lidding sheet and the underlying profile of the sealing surface of the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing powder into a pocket (32) using a dosator (10) having an elongate cavity with an open end and a plunger (12) opposite the open end moveable along the cavity so as to define, between the plunger (12) and the open end, a space of variable volume, the method including, with the plunger (12) defining a volume greater than that of the pocket (32), inserting the open end into a source of powder so as to fill the volume with powder, positioning the open end over the pocket, driving the plunger so as to expel powder from the open end into the pocket and compress it to a predetermined bulk density and removing the open end from the pocket so as to leave the pocket full of powder with the predetermined bulk density.

Abstract: An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen location in the GI tract of a mammal includes a receiver of electromagnetic radiation for powering an openable part of the device to an opened position for dispensing of the substance. The receiver includes a coiled wire that couples the energy field, the wire having an air or ferrite core. In a further embodiment the invention includes an apparatus for generating the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus including one or more pairs of field coils supported in a housing. The device optionally includes a latch defined by a heating resistor and a fusible restraint. The device may also include a flexible member that may serve one or both the functions of activating a transmitter circuit to indicate dispensing of the substance; and restraining of a piston used for expelling the substance.