A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card and selection means for allowing a user to select a feature in a few simple steps, preferably in a single step. In one embodiment the card includes a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using conventional reading devices. Each magnetic strip activates a different feature of the card. In another embodiment the card includes a programmable magnetic strip, a plurality of features stored in memory means mounted on the card, a plurality of buttons or contacts, and means for programming the magnetic strip with a different card feature. The card may also include a thin, flexible display.

Selectable multi-purpose card

A nozzle for producing a single-file stream of droplets of a fluid, methods using the nozzle, and an injector, comprising the nozzle of the invention, for providing the single-file stream of droplets of a fluid to a high-vacuum system are described. The nozzle comprises two concentric tubes wherein the outer tube comprises a smoothly converging-diverging exit channel and the outlet end of the first tube is positioned within the converging section of the exit channel.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3727/41/19/195505/pdf

Gas dynamic virtual nozzle for generation of microscopic droplet streams

An aerosol generator (21) includes a flow passage (27) having an inlet (29), and an outlet (31); a heater (33) arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material (37) to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage; a valve (35) to open, and close communication between the source of material; the inlet of the flow passage; and a pressurization arrangement (39) for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power (41) for operating the heater, the valve; and a control device (43) for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater, and the valve. A metering device (463) in an inhaler (401) includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid (408), and a metering chamber (407) configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage (409) in the inhaler.

Aerosol generator and methods of making and using an aerosol generator

An aerosal is formed by supplying a material in liquid form to a tube (23) and heating the tube (23) such that the material volatizes and expands out of an open end (25) of the tube (23). The volatized material combines with ambient air such that volatized material condenses to form the aerosol. An apparatus (21) for generating such an aerosol, and a method for generating such an aerosol, are also disclosed.

Aerosol and a method and apparatus for generating an aerosol

Methods and systems for coating at least a portion of a medical device (e.g., a stent structure) include providing a plurality of coating particles (e.g., monodisperse coating particles) in a defined volume. For example, the particles may be provided using one or more nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure includes at least one opening terminating at a dispensing end. The plurality of coating particles may be provided in the defined volume by dispensing a plurality of microdroplets having an electrical charge associated therewith from the dispensing ends of the one or more nozzle structures through use of a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends and the medical device. Electrical charge is concentrated on the particle as the microdroplet evaporates. With a plurality of coating particles provided in the defined volume, such particles can be moved towards at least one surface of the medical device to form a coating thereon (e.g., using an electric field and/or a thermophoretic effect).

Coating medical devices

A monodisperse aerosol generator forms a stable jet of liquid at a velocity allowing columnar breakup into droplets of uniform size and spacing To prevent degradation of the monodisperse aerosol, it is dispersed by entrainment in a high velocity gaseous stream To provide an interface for direct injection into a mass spectrometer or to interface a liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer, the generator is followed by a desolvation chamber operating at about atmospheric pressure and a multistage pressure reducer which evacuates solvent vapor and gaseous medium to form a high momentum, solvent-depleted solute aerosol beam which is input into the mass spectrometer

Monodisperse aerosol generator

An oscillating capillary nebulizer which is capable of nebulizing a liquid sample flow at micro flow liquid flow rates and which is capable of controlling the particle size and particle size distribution of the nebula. The oscillating capillary nebulizer comprises a pair of coaxial capillary tubes which are friction-fit mounted by way of peek tubing ferrules. The dimensions of the inner and outer capillary tubes are such that an annular spacing is created between the inner surface of the outer capillary tube and the outer surface of inner capillary tube. A liquid sample is introduced into the nebulizer through the inner capillary tube. A gas flow path is provided by the space between the inner and outer capillary tubes. The gas enters the gas flow path through a port in the side of the outer capillary tube. At least the inner capillary tube is made of flexible material. Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner capillary tube is small enough to provide jet flow of the liquid sample at low liquid flow rates. The gas flow velocity, which is a function of the gas flow rate and the size of the annular spacing, is sufficient to cause turbulence of the gas stream around the free end of the inner capillary tube, thereby creating instability in the system. This instability, depending on how the system is set up, will initially cause the inner capillary tube to oscillate. The oscillation causes the generation of a high frequency standing wave along a portion of the length of the inner capillary and a breakup of the liquid jet into uniform liquid drop sizes.

Oscillating capillary nebulizer

An oscillating capillary nebulizer with electrospray which is capable of nebulizing a liquid sample flow at microflow and normal liquid flow rates. The oscillating capillary nebulizer with electrospray comprises a pair of coaxial capillary tubes which are friction-fit mounted by way of peek tubing ferrules. A source of electric potential is connected to the inner capillary for production of an electric field in the vicinity of the distal end of the inner capillary. The dimensions of the inner and outer capillary tubes are such that an annular spacing is created between the inner surface of the outer capillary tube and the outer surface of inner capillary tube. A liquid sample is introduced into the nebulizer through the inner capillary tube. A gas flow path is provided by the space between the inner and outer capillary tubes. The gas enters the gas flow path through a port in the side of the outer capillary tube. At least the inner capillary tube is made of flexible material. Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner capillary tube is small enough to provide jet flow of the liquid sample at low liquid flow rates. The gas flow velocity, which is a function of the gas flow rate and the size of the annular spacing, is sufficient to cause turbulence of the gas stream around the free end of the inner capillary tube, thereby creating instability in the system. This instability, depending on how the system is set up, will initially cause the inner capillary tube to oscillate. The oscillation causes the generation of a high frequency standing wave along a portion of the length of the inner capillary and a breakup of the liquid jet into uniform liquid drop sizes.

Richard F. Browner

Papers

Monodisperse aerosol generator

Oscillating capillary nebulizer

Oscillating capillary nebulizer with electrospray