Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins. The apparatus includes a source of foam and a dispensing device which has an inlet in communication with the source of foam, a usable foam outlet, and a waste bleed outlet. The waste bleed outlet communicates with the inlet and with the useable foam outlet, and has a higher resistance to flow of foam than that of the usable foam outlet. The useable foam outlet may be blocked off such that foam may flow through the high resistance waste bleed outlet, and the usable foam outlet may be opened such that foam may flow through the usable foam outlet.

Abstract: A delivery device, in particular a breath-actuated nasal delivery device, for delivering substance, in particular one of a liquid, as a suspension or solution, or a powder containing a medicament, especially systemic or topical pharmaceuticals, or a vaccine to the nasal airway of a subject.

Abstract: A dose-indicator device for using with a dispenser device for dispensing fluid or powder, in particular a pharmaceutical, so as to indicate the number of doses that have been emitted or that remain to be emitted from the dispenser device, the indicator device comprising a first rotary disk (10) and a second rotary disk (20) that is preferably opaque, said first disk (10) including indicator numbers and/or symbols (11) that are disposed in peripheral manner about the axis of rotation (X) of said first rotary disk (10) around at least two concentric circles, and said second disk (20) including at least one viewing window (21).

Abstract: An inhaler comprising: at least one cover element (11, 12); individual reservoirs formed on a substrate; support means (50) that are movable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir-opening means (80); displacement means (30) for displacing said reservoir substrate in a first direction, said reservoir substrate also being displaceable between said non-dispensing position and said dispensing position in which said opening means open a respective reservoir; loading means (51) for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position; blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position; trigger means (60) that are actuated by inhalation; and connection means (1000) for displacing said reservoir substrate in said first direction when said at least one cover element is displaced, said connection means being activated while said movable support means are being displaced towards said dispensing position while the user is inhaling, an

Abstract: An inhaler comprising: a body; at least one cover element that is movable between a closed position and an open position; individual reservoirs formed on a reservoir substrate; movable support means that receive said reservoir substrate and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; and an indicator device for indicating doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed, said indicator device comprising: a rotary indicator element that supports indicator means, such as numbers, colors, and/or symbols; and an actuator that co-operates with said movable support means so as to cause said rotary indicator element to turn when said movable support means return from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dose unit within an inhaler housing. As the dose unit is pushed into the inhaler housing, a container on the dose unit is opened, releasing a pharmaceutical powder into the housing. The user inhales on a mouthpiece, drawing the powder and air into a dispersion chamber. The powder disperses in air, and the powder/air mixture is inhaled. The inhaler is inexpensive, compact, and simple to use.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler includes a chamber housing containing a powder dispersion chamber. A chamber tube extends from the dispersion chamber into the mouthpiece. A cover or cup is rotatably attached to the chamber housing. A dose of a dry powder is contained at a powder location in the chamber housing. An air passageway leading from the powder location to the dispersion chamber is closed off by the cover. When the cover is rotated to an open position, the air passageway is opened. The user inhales on the mouthpiece drawing air through the powder location, the air passageway, the dispersion chamber and the chamber tube, through the mouthpiece and into the users lungs. The unit dose of dry powder is stored directly in, or is part of, the inhaler.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising: at least one cover element (11, 12) that is movable between a closed position and an open position; individual reservoirs formed on a reservoir substrate; movable support means (50) that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir opening means (80) for opening a respective reservoir in the dispensing position; loading means (800) for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position; blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position; and trigger means (60) for releasing said blocking means; said loading means including an elastically-deformable loading element (51) that co-operates with a cam surface (910) that is connected to said at least one movable cover element; and said cam surface comprising a first portion that is adapted to load said loading means, and a second portion that co-operates with said loaded loading means.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler includes a chamber housing containing a powder dispersion chamber. A chamber tube extends from the dispersion chamber into the mouthpiece. A cover or cup is rotatably attached to the chamber housing. A dose of a dry powder is contained at a powder location in the chamber housing. An air passageway leading from the powder location to the dispersion chamber is closed off by the cover. When the cover is rotated to an open position, the air passageway is opened. The user inhales on the mouthpiece drawing air through the powder location, the air passageway, the dispersion chamber and the chamber tube, through the mouthpiece and into the users lungs. The unit dose of dry powder is stored directly in, or is part of, the inhaler.

Abstract: A method whereby vendors and purchasers settle invoices and account for sales taxes, integrated with the drawing, accepting, guaranteeing, endorsing, discounting, presenting, and cash settlement of electronic bills of exchange in all traded currencies (Ebill). Ebills are activated automatically as a direct consequence of the approval of one or more invoices for payment. Acceptance is against a guarantee with a managed credit risk limit or endorsed Ebills. Settlement is also activated by matching a purchase order to a goods received or delivery note or bill of lading. A single instance of each invoice and Ebill is held for all functions required by vendors, purchasers, risk managers, Ebill traders, discounters, guarantors and banks. Trading accounts are represented by a single ledger instance with automated updating of their back-office ledgers. Settlement reconciliation is supported by messages related to individual transactions and by quantified debit advice notes reconciled with credit notes.

Abstract: A dose-indicator device for using with a dispenser device for dispensing fluid or powder, in particular a pharmaceutical, so as to indicate the number of doses that have been emitted or that remain to be emitted from the dispenser device, the indicator device comprising a first rotary disk (10) and a second rotary disk (20) that is preferably opaque, said first disk (10) including indicator numbers and/or symbols (11) that are disposed in peripheral manner about the axis of rotation (X) of said first rotary disk (10) around at least two concentric circles, and said second disk (20) including at least one viewing window (21).

Abstract: A system includes one or more compacting wall retraction mechanisms for retracting one or more compacting walls of a compactable lightweight concrete block mold having at least two compacting walls. The compacting wall retraction mechanism(s) facilitate release of a compacted lightweight concrete block from the compactable lightweight concrete block mold. The system can include a mold feed conveyor, and a table for receiving the compactable lightweight concrete block mold from the mold feed conveyor. The system can include one or more tube extraction and re-insertion mechanisms for extracting or inserting tubes of a compactable mold. The system can include one or more end wall lock release mechanisms for releasing end walls to remove a molded block from the mold. Mold assembly and disassembly can be controlled by an electronic or computerized controller.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete mixture (e.g., comprising cement and polystyrene foam) is introduced into a compactable mold having a mold cavity defined by plural wall structures including at least two compacting wall structures. After introducing the lightweight concrete mixture into the compactable mold, the compacting wall structures are moved such that the lightweight concrete mixture is compacted in the mold cavity. The respective positions of the plural compacting wall structures can be maintained during curing of the lightweight concrete mixture such that the lightweight concrete mixture is held under compression during curing. A compactable mold may also include one or more tubes for forming tube-shaped cavities within a building block formed in the mold. Tubes can form intersecting cavities within the building block. Tubes can remain stationary while the compacting walls are moved, even when the tubes are attached to a compacting wall.

Abstract: A compactable mold comprises a main mold frame structure and plural wall structures including two end wall structures and two side wall structures. The plural wall structures define a mold cavity for forming a block from a mixture introduced into the mold cavity. At least two of the plural wall structures are movable wall structures for compacting the mixture. A described compactable mold has end walls and side walls that are shaped for forming tongue and groove features on a compacted block, and the end walls and side walls are movable such that a formed block can be released easily from the mold. A described compactable mold comprises at least one tube attached to at least one of the compacting wall structures. The compacting wall structures are operable to compact the mixture by moving toward the center of the mold cavity while the at least one tube remains stationary.

Abstract: Improved call forwarding methods and apparatus are described. Dialing of multiple call forwarding locations in parallel is supported. Distinguishing between fax and voice calls and using different forwarding numbers for each type of call is also supported. Forwarding of facsimiles by E-mail as an alternative or in addition to forwarding by phone is also supported. Call forwarding security features such as requiring an answering party to enter a PIN before being connected to the calling party are also described. The call forwarding services can be implemented in the PSTN using AIN techniques avoiding the need to purchase or upgrade customer premise equipment to receive the call forwarding service. Alternatively, the call forwarding methods may be implemented using customer premise equipment such as a PBX.