Abstract: A microstructured passage module for aerosolizer is disclosed. The module includes a plate overlaid by a cover, an entrance, an exit, a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of pillars. The protrusions and pillars project from and are integral parts of the plate. Further, the plate can be divided into a first zone proximate to the entrance and a second zone proximate to the exit. The protrusions are arranged into parallel rows in a direction from the entrance to the exit and form parallel passages therebetween in the first zone for the liquid to flow along. The protrusions in each column are spaced from one another by tunnels. The pillars are interposingly disposed in the second zone and define certain channels therebetween. Moreover, a plurality of pillars further disposed in the passages increase a flow resistance for the liquid flowing through the passages.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a die that contains a substrate, an interconnection structure, active connectors and dummy connectors. The interconnection structure is disposed over the substrate. The active connectors and the dummy connectors are disposed over the interconnection structure. The active connectors are electrically connected to the interconnection structure, and the dummy connectors are electrically insulated from the interconnection structure.

Abstract: An assembly method of an apparatus suitable for pressurized liquid transfusion is disclosed. In one step, a nozzle is to be inserted into the through hole of an elastomeric ring. Because the dimension of the nozzle is larger than the through hole, the internal wall of the elastomeric ring is tensioned and deformed so as to fit the nozzle. In one step, the elastomeric ring along with the nozzle is inserted into a receptacle. The dimension of the outer contour of the elastomeric ring needs to be decreased so as to be accommodated by the receptacle. Due to the flexibility of the elastomeric ring, it resumes at least partially to its original shape. Therefore, proper seal is created and maintained between the elastomeric ring and the nozzle such that leakage and pressure loss may be prevented. The foregoing is capable of working under high-pressured environment for prolonged use.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for pressurized liquid transfusion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a nozzle assembly enclosed by the combination of a casing and a check nut. The nozzle assembly includes an elastomeric ring and a nozzle received by the combination of a cap and a receptacle. The elastomeric ring surrounds the nozzle and a proper seal is created therebetween. The dimension of the internal contour of the elastomeric ring is a bit smaller than the nozzle. The elastomeric ring is stretched so as to receive the nozzle. Additional processing may be applied to the elastomeric ring to achieve a different type of proper seal. Pressurized liquid passes through the apparatus so as to be transfused. The aforementioned seal serves to avoid leakage or pressure loss at the apparatus so as to avoid undesired aerosolization effects of an aerosolizer the apparatus is installed in.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid container, an adaptor detachably engaged with the liquid container, and a driving element accommodated by the adaptor. A perforated membrane, through which a liquid can pass through, is disposed at an exit of the liquid container. Moreover, the perforated membrane faces the driving element. The driving element includes a substrate coupled with a piezoelectric element. The substrate includes an aperture that corresponds to the perforated membrane when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged so as to receive liquid. Moreover, when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged, the perforated membrane is in contact with the substrate at the proximity of the aperture, which is about the substrate's center. The adaptor is configured to contact the substrate's periphery only. The resulting apparatus generates aerosol at a desired efficiency with less energy needed.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid container, an adaptor and a driving element. The liquid container includes a perforated membrane through which a liquid can permeate. The liquid container further includes a first mating element. The adaptor includes a second mating element. The driving element includes a piezoelectric element coupled to a substrate. The driving element is accommodated by the adaptor and the substrate includes an aperture and a projection. The first and second mating elements are adapted to detachably and slidably mate with each other such that the aperture of the substrate aligns proximately to the center of the perforated membrane. The first and second mating elements are further adapted for relative movement along a sliding axis. The projection is adapted to press against the perforated membrane.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus includes a vial, a cap assembly and a receptacle. The vial stores liquid medicament and includes a puncturable seal held in position by a retaining ring. The cap assembly includes an actuator with an interior bore extending therethrough, a perforated membrane coupled to the actuator, a fastener and a first mating element. The fastener is adapted to detachably secure the cap assembly to the vial such that the perforated membrane aligns with the puncturable seal. The receptacle receives the cap assembly with the vial. The receptacle includes a driving element and a second mating element capable of mating with the first mating element. The driving element aligns and communicates with the perforated membrane when the receptacle engages the cap assembly. The actuator pierces the puncturable seal to displace the liquid medicament through the interior bore to the perforated membrane and the driving element to generate aerosol.

Abstract: An assembly method of an apparatus suitable for pressurized liquid transfusion is disclosed. In one step, a nozzle is to be inserted into the through hole of an elastomeric ring. Because the dimension of the nozzle is larger than the through hole, the internal wall of the elastomeric ring is tensioned and deformed so as to fit the nozzle. In one step, the elastomeric ring along with the nozzle is inserted into a receptacle. The dimension of the outer contour of the elastomeric ring needs to be decreased so as to be accommodated by the receptacle. Due to the flexibility of the elastomeric ring, it resumes at least partially to its original shape. Therefore, proper seal is created and maintained between the elastomeric ring and the nozzle such that leakage and pressure loss may be prevented. The foregoing is capable of working under high-pressured environment for prolonged use.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus with interchangeable parts is disclosed. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a holder for accommodating a structure plate and an oscillation generator. The structure plate includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, a projection extending from the face of the inlet surface, and a through hole. The through hole penetrates the structure plate. The oscillation generator is coupled with and vibrates the structure plate. A reservoir for providing a liquid medicament is also disclosed. The reservoir is detachably engaged with the holder and includes a membrane with a plurality of orifices. During aerosolization, the liquid medicament passes through the plurality of orifices. When the reservoir is engaged with the holder, the membrane of the reservoir is in contact with the projection extending from the face of the inlet surface. In addition, the oscillation generator vibrates the membrane through the projection on the inlet surface.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for pressurized liquid transfusion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a nozzle assembly enclosed by the combination of a casing and a check nut. The nozzle assembly includes an elastomeric ring and a nozzle received by the combination of a cap and a receptacle. The elastomeric ring surrounds the nozzle and a proper seal is created therebetween. The dimension of the internal contour of the elastomeric ring is a bit smaller than the nozzle. The elastomeric ring is stretched so as to receive the nozzle. Additional processing may be applied to the elastomeric ring to achieve a different type of proper seal. Pressurized liquid passes through the apparatus so as to be transfused. The aforementioned seal serves to avoid leakage or pressure loss at the apparatus so as to avoid undesired aerosolization effects of an aerosolizer the apparatus is installed in.

Abstract: A microstructured passage module for aerosolizer is disclosed. The module includes a plate overlaid by a cover, an entrance, an exit, a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of pillars. The protrusions and pillars project from and are integral parts of the plate. Further, the plate can be divided into a first zone proximate to the entrance and a second zone proximate to the exit. The protrusions are arranged into parallel rows in a direction from the entrance to the exit and form parallel passages therebetween in the first zone for the liquid to flow along. The protrusions in each column are spaced from one another by tunnels. The pillars are interposingly disposed in the second zone and define certain channels therebetween. Moreover, a plurality of pillars further disposed in the passages increase a flow resistance for the liquid flowing through the passages.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus includes a vial, a cap assembly and a receptacle. The vial stores liquid medicament and includes a puncturable seal held in position by a retaining ring. The cap assembly includes an actuator with an interior bore extending therethrough, a perforated membrane coupled to the actuator, a fastener and a first mating element. The fastener is adapted to detachably secure the cap assembly to the vial such that the perforated membrane aligns with the puncturable seal. The receptacle receives the cap assembly with the vial. The receptacle includes a driving element and a second mating element capable of mating with the first mating element. The driving element aligns and communicates with the perforated membrane when the receptacle engages the cap assembly. The actuator pierces the puncturable seal to displace the liquid medicament through the interior bore to the perforated membrane and the driving element to generate aerosol.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid container, an adaptor and a driving element. The liquid container includes a perforated membrane through which a liquid can permeate. The liquid container further includes a first mating element. The adaptor includes a second mating element. The driving element includes a piezoelectric element coupled to a substrate. The driving element is accommodated by the adaptor and the substrate includes an aperture and a projection. The first and second mating elements are adapted to detachably and slidably mate with each other such that the aperture of the substrate aligns proximately to the center of the perforated membrane. The first and second mating elements are further adapted for relative movement along a sliding axis. The projection is adapted to press against the perforated membrane.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid container, an adaptor detachably engaged with the liquid container, and a driving element accommodated by the adaptor. A perforated membrane, through which a liquid can pass through, is disposed at an exit of the liquid container. Moreover, the perforated membrane faces the driving element. The driving element includes a substrate coupled with a piezoelectric element. The substrate includes an aperture that corresponds to the perforated membrane when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged so as to receive liquid. Moreover, when the liquid container and the adaptor are engaged, the perforated membrane is in contact with the substrate at the proximity of the aperture, which is about the substrate's center. The adaptor is configured to contact the substrate's periphery only. The resulting apparatus generates aerosol at a desired efficiency with less energy needed.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus with interchangeable parts is disclosed. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a holder for accommodating a structure plate and an oscillation generator. The structure plate includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, a projection extending from the face of the inlet surface, and a through hole. The through hole penetrates the structure plate. The oscillation generator is coupled with and vibrates the structure plate. A reservoir for providing a liquid medicament is also disclosed. The reservoir is detachably engaged with the holder and includes a membrane with a plurality of orifices. During aerosolization, the liquid medicament passes through the plurality of orifices. When the reservoir is engaged with the holder, the membrane of the reservoir is in contact with the projection extending from the face of the inlet surface. In addition, the oscillation generator vibrates the membrane through the projection on the inlet surface.

Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods to disperse mucin and/or actin using nanoparticles wherein the average diameter of the nanoparticles is less than about 1000 nm.

Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods to aggregate mucus using a plurality of positively charged nanoparticles. There are also provided compositions and methods for inducing contraception in the subject.

Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods to disperse mucin and/or actin using nanoparticles wherein the average diameter of the nanoparticles is less than about 1000 nm.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions for differentiating an isolated embryonic stem cell or an isolated embryoid body into neuronal progenitor cells and methods for using same.