Abstract: A device for injecting a medicament is provided. The device has a housing with a container within it which can hold a medicament. At its proximal end the container has a needle and a stopper. The device includes a plunger which at one end can engage the stopper. At the opposite end, the plunger can engage a first resilient member to move the stopper within the container to inject the medicament from the container. The device includes a collar with distal and proximal ends, the distal end engaging with a carriage and causing its rotation and the proximal end engaging with a second resilient member. The second resilient member can engage with a skin sensor which has distal and proximal ends. At the proximal end, the skin sensor can contact an injection site. The housing has a cap which can reduce or prevent movement of the skin sensor.

Abstract: A device for injecting a medicament is provided. The device has a housing with a container within it which can hold a medicament. At its proximal end the container has a needle and a stopper. The device includes a plunger which at one end can engage the stopper. At the opposite end, the plunger can engage a first resilient member to move the stopper within the container to inject the medicament from the container. The device includes a collar with distal and proximal ends, the distal end engaging with a carriage and causing its rotation and the proximal end engaging with a second resilient member. The second resilient member can engage with a skin sensor which has distal and proximal ends. At the proximal end, the skin sensor can contact an injection site. The housing has a cap which can reduce or prevent movement of the skin sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dose counting mechanisms for medicament inhaler devices, for example metered-dose inhaler (MDI) devices. In particular, the invention relates to a counter comprising a counting component (20,620), a locking element (46,646) for resisting movement of the counting component (20,620), and a distinct driving element (70,670) for driving movement of the counting component (20,620). The locking and driving elements are actuated by movement of a common element to move the locking element (46,646) out of engagement with the counting component (20,620) and to move the driving element (70,670). The driving element (70,670) applies a motive force to the counting component (20,620) before the locking element (46,646) fully disengages from the counting component (20,620).

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for polishing a running base that comprises a blade with two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by an intermediate section; the polishing apparatus comprising: a support body, and blade alignment guide means; wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing surface which comprises: a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions of the intermediate section; and wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more pairs of first and second blade alignment guides, which first and second blade alignment guides in each pair are separated from each other by the polishing surface, and further wherein the blade alignment guide means is adapted to receive and/or guide and/or constrain a running base so that when the intermediate section between the two edges of the running base is brought into contact with the polishing surface, there is no contact between the polishing surface and any part of the two opposing blade edges of the runn

Abstract: My powder inhalers are described. The dry powder inhaler includes an air inlet, a reservoir and an airway assembly. A mouthpiece airway is connected to a first airway of the airway assembly. An airway head is attached to the airway assembly and it extends into the reservoir cavity. In certain embodiments, the airway head has a sharpened or beveled edge. At least one airway assembly opening is present in the airway assembly for connecting the reservoir cavity to the first airway. Methods for dispensing dry powder into an airway of a dry powder inhaler and inhaling dry powder from a dry powder inhaler is also disclosed. Embodiments of a dry powder inhaler having a two-stage air movement are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices (100) for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature vortex mechanisms for directing air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain an amount of a dry powder dose for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature replaceable dry powder cartridges (200). The DPI devices also feature a retractable configuration for storage and for accidental dispensing of dry powder. The DPI devices dispense dry powder in controlled dosages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhaler devices (701), and in particular to devices provided with medicament carriers containing individual pockets or blisters of powdered medicament covered by a lidding sheet such as a lidding foil. A common actuator (710) is provided for controlling movement of an indexing system (712,714) for advancing/indexing a dose and an opening system (790,791) for opening a dose such that progression of the opening system (790,791) is disproportional to progression of the indexing system (712,714) during movement of the common actuator (710).

Abstract: A counting device for counting mechanical inputs comprising: a rotatably mounted first counting wheel arranged to rotate by a predetermined amount for every input that is to be counted; and, a second counting wheel in mechanical communication with the first counting wheel, and at least in part overlapping the first counting wheel, wherein the second counting wheel and/or the first counting wheel are at least in part transparent; whereby the mechanical communication between the first counting wheel and the second counting wheel comprises a rotation mechanism configured to drive the second counting wheel a predetermined amount when a predetermined number of inputs has been reached.

Abstract: A counting device for counting mechanical inputs comprising: a rotatably mounted first counting wheel arranged to rotate by a predetermined amount for every input that is to be counted; and, a second counting wheel in mechanical communication with the first counting wheel, and at least in part overlapping the first counting wheel, wherein the second counting wheel and/or the first counting wheel are at least in part transparent; whereby the mechanical communication between the first counting wheel and the second counting wheel comprises a rotation mechanism configured to drive the second counting wheel a predetermined amount when a predetermined number of inputs has been reached.

Abstract: The present invention provides in part dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature exchangeable cartridges having drum mechanisms that prepare metered doses of dry powder, and are able to direct air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain and deagglomerate a dose of dry powder for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature a reservoir of dry powder advanced by a plunger, as well as a gauge that advances with the plunger to indicate the amount of dry powder remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for polishing a running base that comprises a blade with two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by an intermediate section; the polishing apparatus comprising: a support body, and blade alignment guide means; wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing surface which comprises: a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions of the intermediate section; and wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more pairs of first and second blade alignment guides, which first and second blade alignment guides in each pair are separated from each other by the polishing surface, and further wherein the blade alignment guide means is adapted to receive and/or guide and/or constrain a running base so that when the intermediate section between the two edges of the running base is brought into contact with the polishing surface, there is no contact between the polishing surface and any part of the two opposing blade edges of the runn

Abstract: The present invention provides in part dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature exchangeable cartridges having drum mechanisms that prepare metered doses of dry powder, and are able to direct air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain and deagglomerate a dose of dry powder for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature a reservoir of dry powder advanced by a plunger, as well as a gauge that advances with the plunger to indicate the amount of dry powder remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: A counting device for counting mechanical inputs comprising: a rotatably mounted first counting wheel arranged to rotate by a predetermined amount for every input that is to be counted; and, a second counting wheel in mechanical communication with the first counting wheel, and at least in part overlapping the first counting wheel, wherein the second counting wheel and/or the first counting wheel are at least in part transparent; whereby the mechanical communication between the first counting wheel and the second counting wheel comprises a rotation mechanism configured to drive the second counting wheel a predetermined amount when a predetermined number of inputs has been reached.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a body having a first member and a second member relatively movable between open and closed configurations. Each member is positionable within an opening in tissue to provide access to an interior space of a patient. Each member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The top surfaces are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the closed configuration. The trailing ends are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the open configuration. In the open position, the first and second members define a passage therethrough to permit access to the interior space for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a body having a first member and a second member relatively movable between open and closed configurations. Each member is positionable within an opening in tissue to provide access to an interior space of a patient. Each member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The top surfaces are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the closed configuration. The trailing ends are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the open configuration. In the open position, the first and second members define a passage therethrough to permit access to the interior space for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a body having a first member and a second member relatively movable between open and closed configurations. Each member is positionable within an opening in tissue to provide access to an interior space of a patient. Each member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The top surfaces are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the closed configuration. The trailing ends are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the open configuration. In the open position, the first and second members define a passage therethrough to permit access to the interior space for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.

Abstract: A method of preventing setting a dose which exceeds an amount of medication contained in a medication receptacle of a medication delivery device. The device comprising a piston rod comprising a second stop element, a drive device for moving the piston rod, and a dose setting member for setting a dose. The method comprising the steps of moving a dose limiting member which comprises a first stop element axially with respect to the piston rod during dose setting, and utilizing the first and second stop elements to stop an axial movement of the dose limiting member in the proximal direction when the first and second stop elements catch, limiting a movement of the dose setting member for increasing a set dose of medication. The dose limiting member and the piston rod only interact directly, when the first and second stop elements catch.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a body having a first member and a second member relatively movable between open and closed configurations. Each member is positionable within an opening in tissue to provide access to an interior space of a patient. Each member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The top surfaces are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the closed configuration. The trailing ends are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the open configuration. In the open position, the first and second members define a passage therethrough to permit access to the interior space for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.