Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation includes an inhaler body for receiving a canister having a dispensing valve. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the canister from a rest position in which the valve is closed to an actuating position in which the valve is open. A resetting mechanism is provided for resetting the drive mechanism. A return mechanism is provided for returning the canister from the actuating position to the rest position, wherein the return mechanism comprises a damping system that is configured to enable the canister to automatically return from the actuating position to the rest position within a predetermined time period. A method of operation of an inhaler is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aids or devices with optical elements which include a partially reflective surface, which allow examination or recordal of a patient who is fixated on a visual target, with said examination or recordal occurring along the same axis as the line of sight. The invention also allows for a target more personalised and customised to the patient's needs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aids or devices with optical elements which include a partially reflective surface, which allow examination or recordal of a patient who is fixated on a visual target, with said examination or recordal occurring along the same axis as the line of sight. The invention also allows for a target more personalised and customised to the patient's needs.

Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation is disclosed. The inhaler comprises the following components. An inhaler body for receiving a canister having a dispensing valve. A drive mechanism comprising a biasing means such as a spring and a moving component such as a yoke, the drive mechanism for driving the canister, when received in the inhaler body, from a rest position in which the valve is closed to at least an actuating position in which the valve is open. The drive mechanism drives the canister when the biasing means is released from a loaded configuration to move the moving component from a first position to a second position. A resetting mechanism, for example a mouthpiece cap arrangement for pushing upwardly on the yoke, for resetting the drive mechanism by moving the moving component from the second position to the first position and reloading the biasing means to the loaded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for providing a focussed visual state of a subject is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fast focus switchable lens (6) for alternately focusing an image at (i) a first position at a first distance behind a second position and at (ii) a third position at a second distance in front of the second position, wherein the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance. A refraction correction lens system (12) adjusts the second position.

Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation is disclosed. The inhaler comprises a dispensing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism being configured to dispense a dose of medicament on actuation. The inhaler further comprises a dose counting mechanism comprising a counter and a translating member. The translating member comprises a pawl. The counter comprises a first count wheel, a second count wheel and an intermediate wheel engaged with the second count wheel and in selective engagement with the first count wheel. When the inhaler is fired to dispense a dose of medicament, the dispensing mechanism moves the translating member in a substantially linear direction. The pawl thus rotates the first count wheel, and as the first count wheel rotates, the intermediate wheel is selectively engaged thereby selectively rotating the second count wheel to count the doses of the inhaler.

Abstract: A package for a dispensing device, comprising a protection pouch arranged to enclose the dispensing device. The protection pouch comprises a base section that is arranged to support the dispensing device in the general vertical direction, and the package comprises a support member arranged to essentially elevate the base section of the pouch from a support surface.

Abstract: A package for a dispensing device, comprising a protection pouch arranged to enclose the dispensing device. The protection pouch comprises a base section that is arranged to support the dispensing device in the general vertical direction, and the package comprises a support member arranged to essentially elevate the base section of the pouch from a support surface.

Abstract: A package for a dispensing device, comprising a protection pouch arranged to enclose the dispensing device. The protection pouch comprises a base section that is arranged to support the dispensing device in the general vertical direction, and the package comprises a support member arranged to essentially elevate the base section of the pouch from a support surface.

Abstract: A dispensing device package including a protective enclosure containing a dispensing device, e.g. an inhaler. The protective enclosure includes at least one rigid enclosure member, which in some implementations defines a recess to house a section of the dispensing device.

Abstract: A dispensing device package including a protective enclosure containing a dispensing device, e.g. an inhaler. The protective enclosure includes at least one rigid enclosure member, which in some implementations defines a recess to house a section of the dispensing device.

Abstract: A dispensing device package including a protective enclosure containing a dispensing device, e.g. an inhaler. The protective enclosure includes at least one rigid enclosure member, which in some implementations defines a recess to house a section of the dispensing device.

Abstract: A package for a dispensing device, comprising a protection pouch arranged to enclose the dispensing device. The protection pouch comprises a base section that is arranged to support the dispensing device in the general vertical direction, and the package comprises a support member arranged to essentially elevate the base section of the pouch from a support surface.

Abstract: A call distribution system, suitable for use in a network supporting a telemarketing call center, maintains call counts at a global data server and at a number of transaction servers which are connected in common to the global data server. A choice is made of either the global count or the local count to be used in addressing a distribution map which determines the destination for a particular call. The distribution map may be a minimum error map which minimizes the deviation from a planned distribution ratio wherever a call sequence is terminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying collocates in a phrase to be processed comprises input means for inputting the phrase to be processed, processing means for determining, for each word in the phrase, whether a word is a collocate and output means for outputting the phrase. The processing means is adapted to identify collocates belonging to a first collocation in a first manner in the output phrase, and to identify collocates belonging to a second collocation in a second manner in the output phrase. The second manner is different from the first manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrical stunning and killing poultry comprises a conveyor (31) and means for applying electrical voltage across the heads of the birds (3; 37; 42). In one embodiment, means are also provided for applying a voltage between the bird's head and rear by means of a further electrode (4). In this case, a two stage stun and kill process is used, with the bird being stunned by a voltage applied to it across its head and then killed by a voltage applied between its head and rear, causing fibrillation of the heart. The apparatus may also include means (5; 34) for restraining the bird's heads and/or facilitating contact of the bird's heads with the electrodes. The electrodes themselves may take a number of forms, including dry resilient foam covered by a conductive wire mesh, or a number of parallel sprung pins, or a rail along which the bird's heads slide, or a conductive endless belt. A pair of manual stunning tongs (61) is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrical stunning and killing poultry comprises a conveyor (31) and means for applying electrical voltage across the heads of the birds (3; 37; 42). In one embodiment, means are also provided for applying a voltage between the bird's head and rear by means of a further electrode (4). In this case, a two stage stun and kill process is used, with the bird being stunned by a voltage applied to it across its head and then killed by a voltage applied between its head and rear, causing fibrillation of the heart. The apparatus may also include means (5; 34) for restraining the bird's heads and/or facilitating contact of the bird's heads with the electrodes. The electrodes themselves may take a number of forms, including dry resilient foam covered by a conductive wire mesh, or a number of parallel sprung pins, or a rail along which the bird's heads slide, or a conductive endless belt. A pair of manual stunning tongs (61) is also described.