There is disclosed a fluid-transfer article which is suitable for use as part of an aerosol-generating system of a type which may be used as a smoking substitute. The fluid-transfer article comprises a first region for holding an aerosol precursor and for transferring said aerosol precursor to an activation surface of a second region of said article, said activation surface being disposed at an end of said article configured for thermal interaction with a heater of an aerosol-generation apparatus. The activation surface includes at least one arcuate surface portion and is configured such that, when the fluid transfer article is arranged with respect to a said heating surface for thermal interaction therebetween, the or each said arcuate surface portion opposes said heating surface and is concave towards said heating surface.

A droplet delivery device and related methods for delivering precise and repeatable dosages to a subject for pulmonary use is disclosed. The droplet delivery device includes a housing, a reservoir, and ejector mechanism, and at least one differential pressure sensor. The droplet delivery device is automatically breath actuated by the user when the differential pressure sensor senses a predetermined pressure change within housing. The droplet delivery device is then actuated to generate a stream of droplets having an average ejected droplet diameter within the respirable size range, e.g, less than about 5 μm, so as to target the pulmonary system of the user.

There is provided a cartridge (100) for use in an aerosol-generating system (10) for the generation of an aerosol comprising nicotine salt particles. The cartridge (100) comprises a first compartment (110) containing a nicotine source (210) comprising a first carrier material (211) impregnated with nicotine, the first compartment (110) having a first air inlet (132) and a first air outlet (133). The first compartment (110) defines a first airflow path (217) extending across a first surface (213) of the first carrier material (211) between the first air inlet (132) and the first air outlet (133). The cartridge (100) also comprises a second compartment (120) containing an acid source (220) comprising a second carrier material (221) impregnated with an acid, the second compartment (220) having a second air inlet (134) and a second air outlet (135). The second compartment (220) defines a second airflow path (227) extending across a first surface (223) of the second carrier material (221) between the second air inlet (134) and the second air outlet (135). The first compartment (110) and the second compartment (220) are arranged in parallel within the cartridge (100). A thickness of at least one of the first carrier material (211) and the second carrier material (221) varies in a direction along the first airflow path (217) or the second airflow path (227) respectively.

A collapsible inhaler for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser that is operable to dispense a metered dose of medicament therefrom, the inhaler including: an inlet member being adapted to receive an MDI dispenser and having an inlet therein; an outlet member having an outlet therein, a conduit which is pliable and has a distal end associated with the inlet member and a proximal end associated with the outlet member, a support associated with the pliable conduit that is adjustable between an expanded state and a contracted state whereby in the contracted state the inlet member is positioned proximate the outlet member, while in the expanded state the support supports the pliable conduit and combined with the inlet member being spaced from the outlet member that defines a chamber, so that in use a metered dose of medicament can be dispensed from the MDI dispenser through the inlet in the inlet member to mix with air in the chamber and be inhaled by a patient through the outlet in the outlet member, wherein the inhaler further includes a lockout mechanism for inhibiting operation of the MDI dispenser when the support and conduit are in the contracted state and not inhibiting operation of the MDI dispenser when the support and conduit are in the expanded state.

A carrier assembly for a spray device, which carrier assembly comprises a carrier member adapted to be mounted in a cartridge adapter of a spray device, which carrier member has a proximally directed first surface, and a through-hole placing the first surface in fluid communication with the second surface; a micro nozzle having an outlet surface, an inlet surface, and a channel placing an inlet orifice at the inlet surface in communication with an outlet orifice at the outlet surface and wherein the micro nozzle is accommodated and attached to the carrier member such that the outlet orifice is aligned with the through-hole, and wherein the carrier member comprises vent holes formed to allow air to flow between the second surface and the first surface.

The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a housing (10), which housing is arranged to accommodate a medicament container (20); a power unit (88) comprising: a drive force element (98), an actuation unit (90, 102) operably connected to said drive force element (98); which actuation unit (90, 102) is movable, upon activation of said drive force element (98), for expelling a dose of medicament from said medicament container (20); a monitoring unit (130) provided with an electrical power source (140) for operating said monitoring unit (130). The invention is characterised in that the medicament delivery device further comprises an activation element (160) operably connected to said actuation unit (90, 102), to said monitoring unit (130) and to said electrical power source (140), wherein said activation element (160) is arranged to allow connection between said electrical power source (140) and said monitoring unit (130) when said actuation unit (98, 102) is moved.

The invention relates to a liquid store for an inhaler (10), in particular for an electronic cigarette product, having an outlet end (53) which can be fluidically connected to a heating element (60) in order to evaporate liquid (50) supplied to the heating element (60) from the liquid store (18). The liquid store (18) has at least one air inlet end (52) and at least one channel (51). The channel (51) extends from the air inlet end (52) to the outlet end (53) through the liquid store (18), wherein the channel (51) is designed to transfer the liquid (50) stored in the liquid store (18) to the outlet end (53) through the channel (51) by means of capillary forces.

A compact infusion device that is easily portable and inexpensive, can be used safely, and can provide a technique alternative to intravenous drip. The portable compact infusion device includes a fluid drive, a fluid holding portion, a drug solution holding channel, and a support, wherein the fluid drive includes a porous body that allows generation of electroosmotic flow and a pair of rubber electrodes each containing electroconductive material and having a communicating portion, the porous body being sandwiched between the communicating portions of the pair of rubber electrodes to form a sandwiched structure.

An electronic cigarette includes an atomizer having a coil-less heating element. The coil-less heating element may include a heating section and two leads electrically connected to the heating section. The heating section is made of one or more fiber materials. The two leads may be made of conductive materials that can conduct liquid to the heating section. Alternatively, the heating element may include one or more fiber materials with two conductive sections, and a heating section between the conductive sections. The heating section has a significantly higher electrical resistance than the conductive sections. The different electrical resistances may be achieved by modifying the fiber materials with a material (e.g. metals) having higher electronic conductivity. Different electrical resistances may also be achieved by modifying the shape of the fiber materials to provide the conductive sections with a larger cross-section, and the heating section with a smaller cross-section.

Methods and systems of catheterization include a flexible catheter adapted for insertion into a heart of a living subject. The catheter has a lumen for passing an electrically conductive fluid therethrough, which is propelled by a peristaltic pump. A fluid reservoir connected to the lumen supplies the fluid to the catheter. Electrocardiogram circuitry is connectable to the subject for monitoring electrical activity in the heart. An electrically conductive cable diverts induced charges in the fluid from the catheter electrodes, for example by shorting to a rotating element in the peristaltic pump.