Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mesh-membrane nebulizers are described. The MEMS mesh-membrane nebulizers may include a piezoelectric MEMS mesh membrane. The piezoelectric MEMS mesh membrane may include a piezoelectric active layer patterned with openings for making droplets. One electrode of the piezoelectric MEMS mesh membrane may serve as an electrode for electroplating. Activation of the piezoelectric MEMS mesh membrane may generate droplets suitable for delivery of medicines or other uses.

A cartridge that is releasably connectable with a housing of a microfluidic delivery device is provided. The cartridge has a reservoir for containing a fluid composition and a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir. The microfluidic die is configured to dispense substantially all of the fluid composition in a horizontal direction or downward direction relative to horizontal. The cartridge also includes an air flow channel disposed below the reservoir. The air flow channel extends from a fan to an air outlet. The air flow channel comprises a first region disposed adjacent to a fan, a second region disposed adjacent to the air outlet, and a third region joining the first and second regions. At least the second region is angled upward to the air outlet, relative to horizontal.

The disclosure relates to the field of spray welding, and involves a method and a device for liquid spray welding, as well as the application method thereof. The method for liquid spray welding specifically comprises the following steps: S1: Solder to be spray-soldered is melted under the protection of an inert gas; S2: Then, the melted solder is spray-soldered while using ultrasonic focusing. The device includes a solder conversion mechanism which consists of a container; the cavity in the container is used for placing the solder; a spraying hole is arranged at the bottom of the container to connect with the cavity, and a heating mechanism is mounted along the outer wall of the container; a device for driving the solder spraying is used to control the frequency of an ultrasonic generating mechanism.

A unit dose capsule for use with a sonic generator includes a deformable membrane adapted to releasably engage the distal end of the elongate horn, a nozzle including at least one delivery opening; a nozzle including at least one delivery opening; and a reservoir containing a liquid composition disposed therebetween. When the unit dose capsule is engaged to the distal end of the elongate horn, the nozzle is disposed in an outwardly facing orientation, and the reservoir is in liquid communication with the at least one nozzle. The unit dose capsule can be included in a kit with a handheld misting device comprising a housing having a dispensing window arranged and configured to contain a sonic generator and a power source.

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing oxidation or contamination during a circuit printing operation. The circuit printing operation can be directed to OLED-type printing. In an exemplary embodiment, the printing process is conducted at a load-locked printer housing having one or more of chambers. Each chamber is partitioned from the other chambers by physical gates or fluidic curtains. A controller coordinates transportation of a substrate through the system and purges the system by timely opening appropriate gates. The controller may also control the printing operation by energizing the print-head at a time when the substrate is positioned substantially thereunder.

A fluid diffuser for atomization of essential oils can have a flexible seal used to reduce internal pressure of an air chamber adjacent to the atomizer. It can also use a cover and a sensor to control the operation of the atomizer based on the position of the cover. An atomizer housing portion of the diffuser can be removable and replaceable relative to a lower portion of the housing.

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing oxidation or contamination during a circuit printing operation. The circuit printing operation can be directed to OLED-type printing. In an exemplary embodiment, the printing process is conducted at a load-locked printer housing having one or more of chambers. Each chamber is partitioned from the other chambers by physical gates or fluidic curtains. A controller coordinates transportation of a substrate through the system and purges the system by timely opening appropriate gates. The controller may also control the printing operation by energizing the print-head at a time when the substrate is positioned substantially thereunder.

An aperture plate is manufactured by plating metal around a mask of resist columns having a desired size, pitch, and profile, which yields a wafer about 60 μm thickness. This is approximately the full desired target aperture plate thickness. The plating is continued so that the metal overlies the top surfaces of the columns until the desired apertures are achieved. This needs only one masking/plating cycle to achieve the desired plate thickness. Also, the plate has passageways formed beneath the apertures, formed as an integral part of the method, by mask material removal. These are suitable for entrainment of aerosolized droplets exiting the apertures.

An ejector mechanism, droplet delivery device and related methods or delivering small droplets to the respiratory system of a users disclosed. The ejector mechanism comprises a piezoelectric actuator and an aperture plate, the aperture plate having and a plurality of openings formed through its thickness, wherein at least the fluid entrance side of one or more of said openings is configured to provide a surface contact angle of less than 90 degrees and the piezoelectric actuator is operable to oscillate the aperture plate at a frequency to thereby generate an ejected stream of droplets during use. The droplet delivery device is automatically breath actuated by a user when the differential pressure sensor senses a predetermined pressure change. The ejector mechanism is then actuated to generate a plume of droplets having an average ejected particle diameter within the respirable size range having a diameter of less than about 4 um so as to target the respiratory system of the user.

Nebulizers are used to deliver a medicine to a patient's lungs in the form of an airstream, with fluid comprising the medicine entrained in the airstream. To enable the fluid to be entrained in the airstream, a nebulizer contains an aerosol generator typically comprising a vibratory element (28) with a piezoelectric actuator. There is a need to frequently sterilize the nebulizer. This involves dipping the nebulizer in boiling water for a significant time. It has been found that repeated sterilization cycles can force water through gaps in the vibratory element, and its encapsulation (26), and damage the piezo element. The present invention proposes to more effectively seal the piezo of the vibratory element (28) from the effects of water ingress. In particular, it is proposed to create, at an interface of the vibratory element (28) and the encapsulating element (26), a discontinuity which provides a barrier geometry. Through capillary forces, the progress of water towards the piezoelectric element (12) comprised in the vibratory element (28) is arrested, and the lifetime of the aerosol generator is improved.