Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

In exemplary implementations, a target rod is actuated. The target rod is part of a set of threaded, elongated rods, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to each other. The set of rods has an interior region and a perimeter region. Actuators induce vibrations in a set of perimeter rods. These vibrations are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the vibrations are transmitted to interior rods, causing a target rod in the interior region to rotate about, and translate along, the longitudinal axis of the target rod. The target rod undergoes stick-slip motion relative to adjacent rods.

Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

A linear actuator comprises a roller screw mechanism guided in rotation with respect to a structure by two angular-contact ball bearings, the roller screw mechanism comprising rollers interposed between an endless screw and two tapped rings which are joined together in rotation and free in translation. Each tapped ring is secured to an inner ring of a ball bearing. The linear actuator further comprises a single preloading device capable of applying load between two outer rings of the angular-contact ball bearings respectively, thereby simultaneously allowing the loading of the roller screw mechanism and the rotational guidance of the roller screw mechanism with respect to the structure.

An adjusting device for adjusting two vehicle parts relative to each other is provided. The adjusting device comprising a first guide rail, which is longitudinally extended along a longitudinal axis and which is formed by a base and lateral legs connected to the base, a second guide rail, which is movably arranged on the first guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis, an adjusting mechanism, which is arranged between the legs on the first guide rail and which comprises a spindle nut, which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis in order to drive the adjusting device, a spindle, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the second guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis and which engages with the spindle nut in such a way that, when the spinal nut is rotated, the first guide rail is moved along the longitudinal axis relative to the second guide rail, and a fastening device for fastening the adjusting mechanism to the first guide rail.

An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

An actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fixed member and a free member. The free member is operatively engaged with the fixed member so that the free member is moveable with respect to the fixed member. The actuator also includes means for moving the free member with respect to the fixed member. An elastic element operatively associated with the free member and the fixed member is operable to store energy without a change in an overall length of the actuator.

An electric linear motion actuator includes an outer ring member provided around a central shaft, and planetary rollers disposed between the central shaft and the outer ring member. One of the central shaft and the outer ring member serves as an input member which is rotatable and immovable in the axial direction and rotated by an electric motor, while the other serves as an output member which is rotationally stationary and movable in the axial direction. The input member has a peripheral surface formed with a plurality of annular ribs which are equal in pitch. Each planetary roller has a radially outer surface formed with annular grooves which are equal in pitch to the annular ribs and in which the annular ribs are engaged. The output member has a peripheral surface formed with a helical rib which is equal in pitch to the annular grooves of the planetary rollers.

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.