Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a pharmaceutical dry powder combined dose for the prophylaxis or treatment of a respiratory disorder in a mammalian host by inhalation of a metered dry powder combined dose of finely divided dry medication powders. At least one dry powder medicament is selected from a first group of bronchodilating medicaments and at least one dry powder medicament from a second group of anti-inflammatory medicaments.

Abstract: A method as well as a therapeutic metered combined dose are disclosed for a combined administration of medicinal dry powders. A metered medicinal dry powder combined dosage comprising at least two medicaments of separate dry powder formulations is prepared, whereby the metered powder quantity per medicament is deposited in a dose forming step creating the medicinal combined dose. The deposits of the at least two medicaments are suitably kept separated from each other, such that the medicaments cannot detrimentally interact after forming of the combined dose, and the medicinal combined dose is introduced into an inhaler device for a delivery of the powder dose during the course of a single inhalation.

Abstract: A powder distribution device for transporting and mixing a fine powder with a gas is disclosed. The device presents a distribution member forming a connection between a source of fine powder and a discharge opening. The distribution member has a first inlet portion (10) and an outlet portion (12) for a stream of a first gas (1) mixed with the fine powder. The main body of the distribution member constitutes a porous body portion (16) being surrounded by a second gas (2). If a pressure gradient is created between the second gas (2) and the first gas (1), i.e. the first gas (1) being at a slightly lower pressure, the second gas (2) will leak trough the porous body (16) and thereby preventing powder, in the mix of the first gas and fine powder, from sticking or clogging within the distribution member, which thereby forms an active non-sticking wall relative to of the fine powder.

Abstract: A method and a process are disclosed for preparation of medical electro-powders. The electro-powder results from preparations of chemical and biological substances to form electro-powders suitable for electrostatic charging and dosing for functionality in a dry powder inhaler device. The electro-powder resulting from the method and process forms an active powder substance or a dry powder medical formulation with a fine particle fraction representing of the order 50% or more of the content having a size ranging between 0.5-5 &mgr;m and provides electrostatic properties with an absolute specific charge per mass after charging of the order 0.1×10−6 to 25×10−6 C/g and presenting a charge decay rate constant Q50>0.1 sec with a tap density of less than 0.8 g/ml and a water activity aw of less than 0.5.

Abstract: A method and a device for quick neutralization of a created electrostatic field formed by a multitude of basically charged particles includes a medication powder (180) deposited onto a defined target area (160) of a substrate member (140) in the course of a dose forming process. A charge generator emits charges, which are directed towards the target area of the substrate member such that the electric field created by the accumulated charges from the deposited particles is neutralized by the added charges. Various elements may be used to generate neutralizing charges, but an ion source (195) is most efficient in achieving neutralization of the dose charge and the substrate. The source may be applied so that the dose (180) and the target area (160) are exposed to the emitted charges during the entire or part of the dose forming process.

Abstract: A method and a device involving an electric iris diaphragm/shutter are disclosed for controlling particle transfer of electrically charged medication powder particles from a source to a defined target area, of a substrate. Spatial distribution of particles onto the target area is achieved by an electro-dynamic field technique (320) applied to the distribution and deposition of particles in a dose forming process. An electric iris diaphragm/shutter (130) is located between a particle generator (110) and the substrate (140) such that all particles must pass the iris diaphragm for being transferred to the substrate. By adjusting amplitude and frequency of a superimposed AC potential (136) charged particles will oscillate in the created AC field such that only small light particles will emerge from the iris diaphragm/shutter for further transfer in the dose forming process.

Abstract: A dosing device of an inhaler for administration of a pharmaceutical composition during a prolonged time period is disclosed. The principle of the inspiratory administration is basically utilizing known techniques for administering of the pharmaceutical composition, whereby the fine powder to be administered is gathered as extended doses (15, 16) of powder onto a surface of a dosing member. The disposable dosing member (10) contains a number of prefabricated dose strings to be accessed. A dosing element (7) having an adapted opening moves along an extended string of the dosing member during the administration to in this manner prolong the time period, during which the pharmaceutical composition is released from the dosing member (10) into an air-stream of the inhaler during the inspiration. The relative motion of the dosing element (7) is either obtained by rotating the dosing member itself or moving the dosing element along the surface of the dosing member.

Abstract: A method and a device involving an electric iris diaphragm/shutter are disclosed for controlling particle transfer of electrically charged medication powder particles from a source to a defined target area, of a substrate. Spatial distribution of particles onto the target area is achieved by an electro-dynamic field technique (320) applied to the distribution and deposition of particles in a dose forming process. An electric iris diaphragm/shutter (130) is located between a particle generator (110) and the substrate (140) such that all particles must pass the iris diaphragm for being transferred to the substrate. By adjusting amplitude and frequency of a superimposed AC potential (136) charged particles will oscillate in the created AC field such that only small light particles will emerge from the iris diaphragm/shutter for further transfer in the dose forming process.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically milking an animal, comprising at least one teatcup having a teat entrance end (17a), and a movable arm (6, 40) for moving the teatcup toward a teat of an animal to be milked and attaching it thereto. The teat entrance end of the teatcup is arranged, while being moved by the movable arm (6, 40) toward the teat, to be held in relation to the movable arm (6, 40) at a level which is different from that of the teat entrance end (17a) of a further teatcup, when held in relation to the movable arm.

Abstract: A method and a process are disclosed for optimizing an electrostatically dosed dry powder inhaler (EDPI) for utilization of a prepared pre-metered electro-dose consisting of a electro-powder. An arrangement is set-up for measuring parameters affecting a systemic delivery or local lung delivery of a pre-metered electro-dose from and DPI including analysis of dose de-agglomeration, particle size distribution as well as dose-to-dose variation together with pressures times and flows. A dry powder inhaler, DPI, is adjusted for a systemic or a local lung setting with respect to activation pressure and closing pressure having a DPI with a 20 to 60 liters/minute inhalation air flow for systemic delivery setting and 20 to 80 liters/minute for a local lung setting. Furthermore the de-agglomeration power is adjusted between 0.1 and 6 watts to be used in the DPI by optimizing the pressure drop and inhalation flow rate by changes to the mouthpiece and/or the device member and their relation to each other.

Abstract: A powder distribution device for transporting and mixing a fine powder with a gas is disclosed. The device presents a distribution member forming a connection between a source of fine powder and a discharge opening. The distribution member has a first inlet portion (10) and an outlet portion (12) for a stream of a first gas (1) mixed with the fine powder. The main body of the distribution member constitutes a porous body portion (16) being surrounded by a second gas (2). If a pressure gradient is created between the second gas (2) and the first gas (1), i.e. the first gas (1) being at a slightly lower pressure, the second gas (2) will leak trough the porous body (16) and thereby preventing powder, in the mix of the first gas and fine powder, from sticking or clogging within the distribution member, which thereby forms an active non-sticking wall relative to of the fine powder.

Abstract: A powder distribution device for transporting and mixing a fine powder with a gas is disclosed. The device presents a distribution member forming a connection between a source of fine powder and a discharge opening. The distribution member has a first inlet portion (10) and an outlet portion (12) for a stream of a first gas (1) mixed with the fine powder. The main body of the distribution member constitutes a porous body portion (16) being surrounded by a second gas (2). If a pressure gradient is created between the second gas (2) and the first gas (1), i.e. the first gas (1) being at a slightly lower pressure, the second gas (2) will leak trough the porous body (16) and thereby preventing powder, in the mix of the first gas and fine powder, from sticking or clogging within the distribution member, which thereby forms an active non-sticking wall relative to of the fine powder.

Abstract: An inhaler device and a method in which powder for inhalation is jetted off a prepared device surface containing a defined pre-metered quantity of finely divided powder. The jetting function is obtained by a directed air stream pushing or cutting free a medical powder applied to a carrier surface and by creating a stream of air dispersing the powder into inspiratory air at the moment it is being inhaled. The inhaler device includes active (air permeable) porous walls for preventing finely divided powder from sticking to the inner faces of the inhaler device by creating a pressure gradient across the active wall, thus forcing a small flow of air through the active wall thereby keeping the powder from sticking to the inner faces.

Abstract: A method and a device involving an electric iris diaphragm/shutter are disclosed for controlling particle transfer of electrically charged medication powder particles from a source to a defined target area, of a substrate. Spatial distribution of particles onto the target area is achieved by an electro-dynamic field technique (320) applied to the distribution and deposition of particles in a dose forming process. An electric iris diaphragm/shutter (130) is located between a particle generator (110) and the substrate (140) such that all particles must pass the iris diaphragm for being transferred to the substrate. By adjusting amplitude and frequency of a superimposed AC potential (136) charged particles will oscillate in the created AC field such that only small light particles will emerge from the iris diaphragm/shutter for further transfer in the dose forming process.

Abstract: A method and a device for quick neutralization of a created electrostatic field formed by a multitude of basically charged particles comprising a medication powder (180) deposited onto a defined target area (160) of a substrate member (140) in the course of a dose forming process. A charge generator emits charges, which are directed towards the target area of the substrate member such that the electric field created by the accumulated charges from the deposited particles is neutralized by the added charges. Various elements may be used to generate neutralizing charges, but an ion source (195) is most efficient in achieving neutralization of the dose charge and the substrate. The source may be applied so that the dose (180) and the target area (160) are exposed to the emitted charges during the entire or part of the dose forming process.

Abstract: A method and a device involving an electric iris diaphragm/shutter for controlling particle transfer of electrically charged medication powder particles from a source to a defined target area or areas, of a chuck member. Spatial distribution of particles onto the target area or areas is achieved by an electro-dynamic field technique applied to the distribution and deposition of particles in a dose forming process. An electric iris diaphragm/shutter is located between a particle generator and the electrostatic chuck member such that all particles must pass the iris diaphragm for being transferred to the electrostatic chuck. By adjusting amplitude and frequency of a superimposed AC potential charged particles will oscillate in the created AC field such that only small light particles will emerge from the iris diaphragm/shutter for further transfer in the dose forming process.

Abstract: An inhaler device and a method are disclosed in which powder for inhalation is jetted off a prepared device surface containing a defined pre-metered quantity of finely divided powder. The jetting function is obtained by a directed air stream (16) having the characteristic of an air jet pushing or cutting free a medical powder applied to a carrier surface (10) and by creating a stream of air dispersing the powder into a the inspiratory air (3) at the moment it is being inhaled. An inhaler device utilizing the present method is preferably further provided with active (air permeable) porous walls (4) for further preventing finely divided powder from sticking to the inner faces of the inhaler device by creating a pressure gradient across the active wall, thus forcing a small flow of air through the active wall thereby keeping the powder from sticking to the inner faces (4).

Abstract: An continuous dry powder inhaler arrangement is disclosed, the arrangement being provided with electrostatically dosed medical powder onto an exchangeable dosing member like a cassette or the like for respiratory administration of medicaments into the deep or upper lung airways. The inhaler presents a compact integrated device (8) with a case having a sliding lid (17), which can be set in an open position exposing a mouthpiece (19) or in a closed position. The arrangement further provides dose (18b/18c) counters and a cassette counter (34). In the state with open lid (17) the device is ready to deliver a prepared pre-metered dose of medical powder upon an inhalation via the exposed mouthpiece (19). Medical drugs are in advance dosed as medical powder and carried by an exchangeable dosing means and constitute dry powder substances or dry powder medical formulations prepared for continuous dosing during a preset period of operation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a field emission display (100) includes the steps of providing a cathode plate (102), providing an anode plate (104), providing a spacer substrate (160) made from a bulk spacer material (109), cutting the spacer substrate (160) to define a spacer (108) having a surface (107), passivating the surface (107) of the spacer (108) using the bulk spacer material (109) to form a passivation layer, and disposing the spacer (108) between the cathode plate (102) and the anode plate (104). A field emission display (100) which includes a cathode plate (102) having a plurality of electron emitters (124), an anode plate (104) opposing the cathode plate (102), and a spacer (108) extending between the cathode plate (102) and anode plate (104). The spacer (108) has a passivation layer made from bulk spacer material (109).

Abstract: Shears for cutting metal sheet include first and second jaws pivotably interconnected by a jaw joint. The jaws have respective cutting edges located forwardly of the jaw joint, and which are arranged to cross one another at a crossing point which moves during a cutting operation. The cutting edges are configures to cross one another at a substantially constant angle during a cutting operation. The second jaw includes an extension extending rearwardly of the jaw joint. The first jaw has a rigidly attached first gripping handle. A second gripping handle is pivotably connected to the first handle by a handle joint located rearwardly of the jaw joint. The second handle engages a surface of the extension by a sliding contact, whereby a distance between the jaw joint and the sliding contact increases during a cutting operation.