Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: Apparatus and instruments for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: An apparatus, a closed-loop system and method for measuring the resistance of inhalation systems and/or devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Hybrid inorganic-organic, polymeric alloys prepared by combining atomic layer deposition and molecular layer deposition techniques provide barrier protection against intrusion of atmospheric gases such as oxygen and water vapor. The alloy may be formed either directly on objects to be protected, or on a carrier substrate to form a barrier structure that subsequently may be employed to protect an object. The alloy is beneficially employed in constructing electronic devices such as photovoltaic cell arrays, organic light-emitting devices, and other optoelectronic devices. Also provided are methods for preparing the foregoing alloy, barrier structure, and devices.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: Hybrid inorganic-organic, polymeric alloys are prepared by combining atomic layer deposition and molecular layer deposition techniques provide barrier protection against intrusion of atmospheric gases such as oxygen and water vapor. The alloy may be formed either directly on objects to be protected, or on a carrier substrate to form a barrier structure that subsequently may be employed to protect an object. The alloy thus formed is beneficially employed in constructing electronic devices such as photovoltaic cell arrays, organic light-emitting devices, and other optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin, oxyntomodulin and glucagon-like peptide.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. An inline rod connector is utilized which includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure uses a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: A cassette for supporting a film during a gaseous vapor deposition process includes a central shaft having first and second end plates. A rib on each end plate forms a spiral groove able to accept an edge of a film. Each rib has a cross sectional configuration having substantially linear major edges, a predetermined width dimension and a predetermined average thickness dimension, and a width-to-thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The rib could be substantially rectangular with an optional flow spoiler at the free end or substantially wedge-shaped. The interspoke spacing between end plates is at least three hundred millimeters (300 mm) and is also greater than the width dimension of a film substrate at a gaseous deposition temperature. The width dimension of each rib is between about 0.5% to about 2.0% of the interspoke spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus, a closed-loop system and method for measuring the resistance of inhalation systems and/or devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A vapor deposition apparatus includes an insert within which a material is deposited on the surface of a film. A cassette includes end plates each having a rib that edgewise receive a spiral wrapping of a film at least 300 mm wide. Spaces between turns of the wrapping define a gas flow channel and spaces between adjacent turns of one rib define inlet openings that communicate with the channel. Each rib has a predetermined width dimension, a predetermined average thickness dimension, and a width-to-thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The spacing between end plates is at least 300 mm and is also greater than the film width at deposition temperature. The width dimension of each rib is between about 0.5% to about 2.0% of the end plate spacing. A diverging flow director contacts one end plate to directing gaseous fluid toward the inlet openings in that end plate.

Abstract: A cassette for supporting a film during a gaseous vapor deposition has first and second end plates. A rib on each end plate forms a spiral groove that edgewise receives a spiral wrapping of a film having a width greater than 300 mm. Spaces between turns of the film wrapping define a gas flow channel and spaces between adjacent turns of the rib define a plurality of inlet openings in one end plate that communicate with the channel. Each rib has a predetermined width dimension, a predetermined average thickness dimension, and a width-to-thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The spacing between end plates is at least three hundred millimeters (300 mm) and is also greater than the width dimension of a film substrate at a gaseous deposition temperature. The width dimension of each rib is between about 0.5% to about 2.0% of the end plate spacing.

Abstract: Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: A method of attaching an extension to a bone anchor for use in percutaneous spinal surgery is provided that comprises the steps of: providing a bone anchor including a first portion for attachment to a vertebra and a second portion for attachment to a connecting element, the bone anchor including an extension coupling surface; providing an elongate hollow extension having a distal end and a proximal end, the extension having a rotationally movable anchor engaging member projecting radially from the distal end thereof; placing the distal end of the extension adjacent the bone anchor; and rotating the anchor engaging member to engage the extension coupling surface on the anchor and couple the extension and the bone anchor.