Abstract: A method and corresponding control system for operating a tracker mechanism that supports a solar collector so as to enhance the effectiveness of wind-displaced cleaning elements on the solar collector surface. A controller (16) receives information indicative of current wind conditions, determines a cleaning orientation of the solar collector (10) that will enhance cleaning of the collector surface by the wind-displaced cleaning element (100) under the current wind conditions, and actuates at least one actuator (12) to bring the solar collector to the cleaning orientation. Also provided is a cleaning system for solar collectors which provides advantageous mechanical properties in the mounting of wind-displaceable cleaning elements to minimize localized stress at the attachment points which might lead to tearing and which facilitates replacement of the cleaning elements.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Abstract: A wind-cleaned photovoltaic solar panel (10) has an array of photovoltaic cells (12) under a panel surface (14). A two-dimensional array of cleaning elements (18) are anchored to the panel surface at cleaning-array locations (20) on the panel surface, at least one of which is spaced away from edges of the panel. Each of the cleaning elements (18) is an elongated wind-displaceable element having a length less than 50 percent of a width of the panel surface (14).

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Abstract: An adapter (50) for achieving intradennal dosed delivery of a liquid by use of a dosed drug delivery device including a reservoir having a pierceable septum, the adapter having a connector including an attachment configuration (22) for sliding a recess of the adapter onto a projection of the dosed drug delivery device and a hollow needle (25) deployed for piercing the septum. At least one microneedle (10) projects from the connector. A flow path arrangement (28) interconnects the needle and the hollow microneedle(s). The recess is shaped to restrict the microneedle(s) to only a finite number of rotational orientations relative to the axis of the device. The connector and/or the needle is adapted for application of a sealant to prevent leakage of the liquid.

Abstract: An injection system applicable to off-the-shelf syringes having a microneedle hub may reduce dead space and isolate the drug fluid from the microneedle chip to avoid compatibility issues. An insert may be disposed inside a male luer fitting and extend so that it is also disposed inside the female luer fitting using an insert. A septum may isolate the drug fluid from the microneedle chip in the hub prior to activation and the septum may, after activation, seal the triangular space in the hub to prevent leakage of fluid back to the syringe.

Abstract: An intradermal mini-needle interface has a penetration limiter providing a skin contact edge and a hollow hypodermic needle having a beveled penetrating portion protruding forward beyond the skin contact edge by no more than 3 mm. At least one skin contact surface defines a skin contact plane parallel to, or at a shallow angle to, the needle axis. The skin contact plane intersects the skin contact edge substantially at a base of the penetrating portion. Preferably, the penetration limiter is asymmetric under rotation about the needle axis.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier.

Abstract: An adapter for achieving intradermal dosed delivery of a liquid by use of a dosed drug delivery device including a reservoir having a pierceable septum, the adapter having a connector including an attachment configuration for attachment to the dosed drug delivery device and a hollow needle deployed for piercing the septum. A liquid delivery interface, linked to the connector, includes a straight skin contact edge and one or more hollow microneedle adjacent thereto. The microneedle projects away from the skin contact edge. A flow path arrangement interconnects the needle and the at least one hollow microneedle.

Abstract: A device (100, 200) for superficial abrasive treatment of the skin includes a skin interface element (102, 202) with a number of protrusions (106, 206) projecting to a height above a substrate (104, 204) of no greater than 200 microns. A vibration generating mechanism (108, 208) is mechanically linked to the skin interface element (102, 202) so as to generate vibratory motion of the skin interface element (102, 202).

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from. the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier.

Abstract: A microneedle device for transporting fluid through a surface of a biological barrier, the device including a fluid transport configuration, an abutment member and a displacement device. The fluid transport configuration includes a substrate having a substantially planar surface having a plurality of microneedles projecting therefrom. The abutment member has an abutment surface for abutting the biological barrier. The displacement device is configured for generating a relative lateral sliding movement between the surface of the biological barrier and the fluid transport configuration in a sliding direction of the microneedles The microneedles are arranged so that a leading microneedle defines an effective area which is effective void of another microneedle. The effective area is defined as an area marked out by translating the base area of the leading microneedle, by the height of the leading microneedle, in a direction opposite to the sliding direction.

Abstract: Method and device for therapeutic or aesthetic treatment of the skin performs a combination of dermabrasion to mechanically modify at least an outer layer of the skin in a first region and phototherapy. The device preferably employs a skin interface element with projections protruding from a substrate which is moved in a vibratory motion by a vibration generating mechanism. This is combined with an illumination system deployed to direct a therapeutically relevant dosage of light towards a surface of the skin against which the skin interface unit is in contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for intradermally delivering one or more biologically active agents such as vaccines and therapeutic agents into the dermis layer of the skin of a subject to obtain systemic delivery or an immune response using a microneedle drug delivery device containing the agent to be delivered. The methods employ a microneedle device with a row of hollow microneedles. The microneedles penetrate the skin of the subject and assume an anchored state in which the microneedles are anchored in the skin and project laterally from the device. A pivotal motion is then performed with the device so that the skin in which the microneedles are engaged is lifted above the initial plane of the surface of the skin while the biologically active agent is delivered. The methods of the invention elicit increased humoral and/or cellular response as compared to conventional vaccine delivery routes, facilitating dose sparing.

Abstract: A microneedle device for delivery or sampling of fluids to or from intradermal layers of the skin of a mammalian subject includes a skin contact configuration defining an orientation of the device and a number of microneedles The microneedles are deployed relative to the skin contact configuration so that, when deployed against the skin, a first region of a peripheral surface of the microneedle is deployed roughly parallel to the initial plane of the skin. A fluid flow bore intersects the first region of the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A microstructure for transferring a substance through the surface of the skin, comprising a substrate having a first and a second side and at least one microstructure projecting from the second side of the substrate. The micrstructure has at least one hollow. The hollow is isolated from the fluid connection with the first side of the substrate. The hollow is configured such that, when the microstructure is inserted through the surface of the skin, at least part of the substance is transferred through the surface of the skin in the hollow.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier.