Abstract: A system for producing and packaging fluid may comprise a water distillation device. The system may further comprise a mixing circuit coupled to an output of the water distillation device and including a source of concentrate. The mixing circuit may include a plurality of flow controllers configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the mixing circuit so as to generate a preset fluid. The system may further comprise an enclosure including an antechamber and a packaging compartment. The system may further comprise a reservoir dispenser in the packaging compartment having a feed plate and a housing block. The reservoir dispenser may include a bias member which urges the feed plate toward the housing block. The system may further comprise a filling station in the packaging compartment including a filling nozzle coupled to the mixing circuit. The system may further comprise a sealing station in the packaging compartment having a ram and a sealing member dispenser.

Abstract: A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.

Abstract: A hand-held aerosolized inhaler that delivers an aerosolized solution to the user on demand when he or she inhales is provided. A pressure or flow sensor within the invention detects the change in air flow as the user inhales and triggers spraying the aerosol solution only when the inhaled breath stream will optimally entrain the sprayed aerosol. The pressure or flow sensor sends an electronic signal to turn on or off liquid and air pumps as the user breathes. Liquid, or liquid and air are pumped to the nozzle inside the invention to create an aerosolized mixture.

Abstract: An obturator as part of a biopsy system enhances use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by indicating location of a side aperture in an encompassing cannula. The cannula (e.g., detached probe, sleeve sized to receive a core biopsy probe) includes a side aperture for taking a tissue sample. When the obturator is inserted in lieu of the biopsy device into the cannula, a notch formed in a shaft of the obturator corresponds to the side aperture. A dugout trough into the notch may further accept aqueous material to further accentuate the side aperture. In addition, a series of dimensionally varied apertures (e.g., wells, slats) that communicate through a lateral surface of the shaft and that are proximal to the side aperture receive an aqueous material to accentuate visibility in an MRI image, even in a skewed MRI slice through the cannula/obturator.

Abstract: Self Contained Aerosol Dual Delivery System (SCADDS) is a pocket-sized inhaler for delivering inhaled therapeutic or recreational aerosols simultaneously and separately via oral and nasal routes. A handle assembly has a removable mouthpiece, cartridge penetration needles, puncture needle protective cover, a shuttle, a cam, valves and conduits from the penetration needles to the individual nozzles for oral and nasal inhalation. A cartridge contains separate reservoirs of solutions for oral and nasal inhalation. The reservoirs, impermeable bags with fluid and dissolved gas in solution, are punctured when the cartridge is attached to the handle assembly. Inhalation slides the shuttle toward the mouthpiece and opens the valves to release solution. The oral aerosol is inhaled into the lungs while the nasal aerosol provides a pleasant aroma.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: Self Contained Aerosol Dual Delivery System (SCADDS) is a pocket-sized inhaler for delivering inhaled therapeutic or recreational aerosols simultaneously and separately via oral and nasal routes. A handle assembly has a removable mouthpiece, cartridge penetration needles, puncture needle protective cover, a shuttle, a cam, valves and conduits from the penetration needles to the individual nozzles for oral and nasal inhalation. A cartridge contains separate reservoirs of solutions for oral and nasal inhalation. The reservoirs, impermeable bags with fluid and dissolved gas in solution, are punctured when the cartridge is attached to the handle assembly. Inhalation slides the shuttle toward the mouthpiece and opens the valves to release solution. The oral aerosol is inhaled into the lungs while the nasal aerosol provides a pleasant aroma.

Abstract: Self Contained Aerosol Dual Delivery System (SCADDS) is a pocket-sized inhaler for delivering inhaled therapeutic or recreational aerosols simultaneously and separately via oral and nasal routes. A handle assembly has a removable mouthpiece, cartridge penetration needles, puncture needle protective cover, a shuttle, a cam, valves and conduits from the penetration needles to the individual nozzles for oral and nasal inhalation. A cartridge contains separate reservoirs of solutions for oral and nasal inhalation. The reservoirs, impermeable bags with fluid and dissolved gas in solution, are punctured when the cartridge is attached to the handle assembly. Inhalation slides the shuttle toward the mouthpiece and opens the valves to release solution. The oral aerosol is inhaled into the lungs while the nasal aerosol provides a pleasant aroma.

Abstract: A heating system for a mechanical compressive shrinkage apparatus in which a continuously flowing liquid heat exchange medium is caused to flow in series through each of the components required to be heated. Heat is input to the flowing medium in accordance with the temperature of one of the components to be heated, preferably the first in the series. Uniformity and constancy of both absolute and relative temperatures of the series-connected components is achieved. A mixture of water and propylene glycol alcohol is an advantageous heat exchange medium for the purpose, which allows operation at lower pressure without the maintenance problems of a system using, for example, oil as the exchange medium.

Abstract: A drinking cup and a cup holder having mating radially extending flanges and tabs permitting the cup to be inserted into and removed from the holder in one rotative position of the cup and in a second rotative position of the cup permitting engagement of the flanges and tabs to secure the cup and holder together.

Abstract: A device is provided for modifying the temperature of a breathing or other as supplied through a conduit. A heat exchanger is mounted in-line with the conduit. A thermoelectric device has first and second thermally conductive plates separated by at least one thermoelectric couple. The first thermally conductive plate is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. A phase change material is in thermal contact with the second thermally conductive plate. A voltage is applied to the thermoelectric couple(s) to maintain the first and second thermally conductive plates at different temperatures. The phase change material changes from a first phase to a second phase at a phase change temperature that is selected to be between the different temperatures of the first and second thermally conductive plates.

Abstract: A back-reinforced two-piece upper torso assembly for an articulated diving uit. The upper torso assembly includes a lower hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's upper trunk, an upper hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's head and being seated upon the lower hollow rigid body, and a clamping and sealing mechanism releasably coupling the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body about adjacent seated portions thereof so as to form a watertight joint therebetween wherein the upper hollow rigid body can rotate relative to the lower hollow rigid body. The upper torso assembly also includes a reinforcement structure connecting the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body along adjacent rear portions thereof so as to permit a lifting load applied to the assembly during water entry and exit to transfer to the lower hollow rigid body in such manner as to avoid stressing the watertight joint therebetween.

Abstract: A suction drum dryer, for knitted fabrics and the like, is provided with an adjustable width bellows mechanism for masking side margins of the drums not occupied by the fabric web. Ambient air draw into the suction drums is thus caused to flow substantially exclusively through the material to be processed. Significantly improved operating efficiencies are realized, as well as significantly higher production output from a given piece of equipment.

Abstract: A mechanical compressive shrinkage machine, especially for tubular and open width knitted fabrics, and of the type comprising feeding and retarding rollers cooperating with entry side and exit blades forming a compressive shrinkage zone between the rollers, is provided with novel and improved adjusting mechanisms. For each of the blades, there is a separate adjusting mechanism, each comprising, at each side of the machine, an in-line fluid cylinder, a technician-accessible independent adjustment, and a rotatable eccentric. The rotatable eccentrics on each side are carried by a common shaft, which is accessible externally and provides an operator-controlled adjustment. After initial setup of the machine by a skilled technician, adjustment of the machine by the production operator is effected by rotation of a control shaft, effecting simultaneous movement of the control linkage at opposite sides of the machine.

Abstract: A masonry clip used to align successive courses of bricks when laying an internal wall comprising an extension attached to form a right angle to a retainer leg with a slot cut into the extension to permit the visual alignment of the clip tied to a guide line on predetermined marks on expendable furring strips set in place behind the wall being laid.