Abstract: An apparatus is provided to prevent water ingress to a medical device with a housing. Such water ingress may originate, for example, from a connected humidifier. The apparatus consists of an endcap including at least one aperture for selective coupling with a compatible accessory. The end cap is constructed from panels which cooperate to provide an internal fluid passageway for diverting water from the point of ingress to the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus configured to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient, including a breathable air outlet, an outside air inlet, and an pneumatic block module, wherein the pneumatic block module includes: a volute assembly including an inlet air passage, a mount for a blower and an outlet air passage; the blower being mounted in the mount such that an impeller of the blower is in a flow passage connecting the inlet air passage and the outlet air passage; a casing enclosing the volute assembly, wherein air passages within the casing connect air ports on the volute assembly, wherein the inlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the outside air inlet and the outlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the air outlet.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a sealing member (42). The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mould having a cavity, a polymer injection port and a gas inlet port (38); (b) injecting a polymer and a blowing agent through the polymer injection port (28) into the cavity of the mould; and (c) introducing gas through the gas inlet port (38) into the cavity of the mould, to form a sealing member (42). The sealing member (42) comprises an internal chamber (44) at least partially bounded by a resiliently deformable enclosing wall formed of the polymer, the enclosing wall including an external surface, the external surface having a form that is determined by the cavity of the mould.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus configured to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient, including a breathable air outlet, an outside air inlet, and an pneumatic block module, wherein the pneumatic block module includes: a volute assembly including an inlet air passage, a mount for a blower and an outlet air passage; the blower being mounted in the mount such that an impeller of the blower is in a flow passage connecting the inlet air passage and the outlet air passage; a casing enclosing the volute assembly, wherein air passages within the casing connect air ports on the volute assembly, wherein the inlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the outside air inlet and the outlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the air outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a respiratory interface device (1) and components thereof. The respiratory interface device (1) comprises a body (2), a frame (3), and an inlet conduit (4). The frame has a front wall (10a), side walls (10b), and side arms (12), and a support platform (11) extending rearwardly from the front wall (10a). An inlet opening (13) is defined in the support platform (11). The body (2) forms a chamber with the support platform (11) and comprises at least one nasal outlet (5), a base opening (7), and at least one further opening (6), through which the support platform (11) extends. The inlet conduit (4) comprises a connector (18) that clamps the body (2) and the support platform (11) together.

Abstract: Specimens for evaluating corrosion protection of substrates due, at least in part, to coatings applied thereupon are described. A specimen (1) comprises: a first coating (10), comprising a first set of layers (11) including a first layer (11A), on a first substrate (12); and a first set of perforations (100), including a first perforation (100A) and a second perforation (100B), in the first coating (10), wherein the first perforation (100A) has a first depth D1 through the first coating (10) and a first dimension W1 transverse to the first depth, wherein the second perforation (100B) has a second depth D2 through the first coating (10) and a second dimension transverse to the second depth D2 and wherein the first dimension W1 and the second dimension W2 are different.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a humidified flow of pressurized breathable gas includes a humidification chamber having a heatable base surface and a humidification tub configured to contain a supply of water. The humidification tub includes a thermally conductive base and is removably positionable at least partially within the humidification chamber and onto the heatable base surface in order to allow for heating of the water in the humidification tub. The humidification chamber is configured to receive the flow of pressurized breathable gas and output the flow of pressurized breathable gas with increased humidity. The flow of pressurized breathable gas is pre-heated before entering the humidification tub by being configured to, after entering the humidification chamber and before entering the humidification tub, flow along at least a portion of the perimeter of the humidification tub.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) passing a feed gas comprising a make-up gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a methanol synthesis loop, (ii) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, (iii) cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, (iv) separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture, (v) passing a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and (vi) recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream, characterised by contacting the crude methanol and a portion of the purge gas in a stripping unit to strip dissolved gases from the crude methanol thereby forming a stripped crude methanol and an enriched gas mixture, and feeding at least a portion of the enriched gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to change the absolute humidity of a flow of air for delivery to an entrance of the airways of a patient, the change being compared to the absolute humidity of ambient air. The apparatus has a reservoir configured to hold a volume of liquid. A heating element creates vapour from the liquid. A chamber is provided to mix the flow of air with the vapour. The apparatus has a body having a first wall structure with a chamber inlet port. A closure element having an air inlet port for pneumatically connecting to a source of the flow of air is secured to the body to provide a sealed gas flow path between the air inlet port and the chamber inlet port, and a liquid trap in the gas flow path.

Abstract: Seed sowing apparatus comprising: a frame defining a leading part supporting a soil opening stage and a trailing part supporting a soil closing stage trailing the soil opening stage, wherein the soil opening stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced seeding units, each seeding unit comprising a soil opening member associated with a respective seed delivery outlet connected to a seed source, wherein each seeding unit is configured to form a respective seeded trench in the ground when the apparatus is in use driven through soil in a forward direction of travel; wherein the soil closing stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced soil deflection members each associated with a respective one of the seeding units, each soil deflection member being spaced laterally from the soil opening member of its respective seeding unit and configured to deflect soil toward the seeded trench formed by the seeding unit.

Abstract: A fluid transportation system and method use a negative pressure driving mode to absorb fluids from a fluid storage assembly and a positive pressure driving mode to load the absorbed fluids into the fluid-using system. At least two working modules are used to transport fluids to the fluid-using system, the process of transporting fluid in each working module being divided into the processes of absorbing fluids into a fluid transfer assembly, and loading fluids into a fluid transfer assembly. The process of absorbing fluids in each working module and the processes of absorbing fluids and/or loading fluids in any other working module overlap at least partially along the time axis. With the present disclosure, the accuracy and speed of fluids transportation are improved, a device utilizing the system and method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biochemical substance analysis system (5) is used to detect biological characteristics of a sample in a flow cell (38), and includes a detection system (51), a scheduling system (53), a biochemical reaction system (55). and a control system (57). The scheduling system (53) is used to schedule the flow cell (38) at different sites, including sites in the detection system (51) and sites in the biochemical reaction system (55). The biochemical reaction system (55) is used to allow the sample to react in the flow cell (38). The detection system (51) is used to detect a signal from the reacted sample to obtain a signal representing the biological characteristics of the sample. The control system (57) is used to control the detection system (51), the scheduling system (53), and the biochemical reaction system (55) to cooperate. The disclosure improves automation degree and flux of the biochemical substance analysis.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a sealing member for a respiratory interface device. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mould having a cavity, a polymer injection port and a gas inlet port; (b) injecting a polymer through the polymer injection port into the cavity of the mould; and (c) introducing gas through the gas inlet port into the cavity of the mould, to form a sealing member of the respiratory interface device, thereby forming a sealing member of the respiratory interface device. The sealing member of the respiratory interface device comprises an internal chamber at least partially bounded by a resiliently deformable enclosing wall formed of the polymer, the enclosing wall including a patient-contacting surface, the patient-contacting surface having a form that is determined by the cavity of the mould and provides an anatomical fit with a patient.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing a digital intervention relating to user interactions. A system may have at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising: receiving input data from at least one client device; accessing a data model configured to determine, based on historical data, risk levels associated with the user interactions; inserting the input data into the data model; receiving, from the data model, an indication that at least one determined risk level associated with the user interactions exceeds a preset threshold; and providing, in response to the at least one determined risk level exceeding the preset threshold, the digital intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjustable flow control valves, for example to an Adjustable Pressure Limiting (APL) valve. The adjustable valve (2) described comprises a valve body (4) comprising a valve seat (6), a valve member (10) movable relative to the valve seat (6), a first valve cap (20), a second valve cap (50) and a biasing element (30) to bias the valve member (10) away from the first valve cap (20). The first valve cap (20) is movable to increase the biasing force applied by the biasing element (30). The second valve cap (50) is engageable with the first valve cap (20) to prevent such movement of the first valve cap (20) beyond a selected position, but to allow movement of the first valve cap (20) in an opposite direction, way from said position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a part lifecycle system. The part lifecycle system includes a part lifecycle apparatus. The part lifecycle apparatus includes a memory. The memory is configured to store multiple part profiles including a first part profile. The part lifecycle apparatus includes a sensor that is configured to determine performance data or lifecycle data of the first part. The part lifecycle apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a baseline performance or a baseline lifecycle of the first part based on the first part profile. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the performance data or the lifecycle data exceeds a threshold based on the baseline performance or the baseline lifecycle of the first part, respectively, and provide an indication to a user that the first part needs maintenance.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in one or more stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit comprising a heat exchange reformer and autothermal reformer in series; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in the heat exchange reformer and one or more further stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas to form a make-up gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: An investment powder which is safer than conventional powders comprising tricalcium phosphate, and being substantially or entirely free of free silica in the respiratory portion yet providing an overall expansion at 750° C. of 1% or higher sufficient to prevent mould cracking during casting. A method of making a casting comprising forming a slurry by mixing a gypsum bonded investment powder with water, pouring the slurry into a stainless steel flask around a low melting point material model, allowing the slurry to set to define a mould, heating the mould to burn out the model and casting material into the mould wherein the stainless steel flask consists of a 400 series martensitic stainless steel.