Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.

A conveying device for conveying a viscous material from a container includes a follower plate that can be inserted into the container, and a pump by means of which the viscous material can be conveyed through the follower plate. Moreover, a measuring chamber for accommodation of a measuring sample of the viscous material is provided. The measuring chamber includes a closable material inlet opening for this purpose. A closable disposal line leads away from the measuring chamber. Moreover, a closable material return line extends from the measuring chamber via the follower plate into the container. The conveying device also includes a controller that is designed and can be operated appropriately such that it determines the compressibility of each of multiple measuring samples. The controller opens the disposal line or the material return line to the measuring sample present in the measuring chamber as a function of the compressibility thus determined.

A fluid dispenser with a fluid pump for dispensing fluid on movement of an actuator, and an air pump for delivering a stream of air through at least one sound generator on movement of the actuator. The sound generator produces at least two sounds as the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position, with each sound produced in a different time period during a cycle of operation, or differing from the other sound in respect of one or more detectable sound characteristics, such as duration, frequency, temporal alignment, amplitude, and/or timbre. The time period of each sound is a function of the relative location of the actuator between the first and second positions.

Presented and described herein is a stroke system (1) for dosing a fluid from a container (3), comprising a piston pump (5) with a piston (7), so that a fluid can be dosed from a container (3) by displacement of the piston (7), and a temperature control device (29) for controlling the temperature of the fluid to be dosed by means of the stroke system (1).

The invention relates to a proportional volumetric doser (10) comprising a motor (20) to which a pump (30) is connected, which pump (30) comprises a tubular sleeve (80) inside which a cylinder (85) is housed in which a small doser piston (62) slides, mechanically connected to an output shaft of the motor (20), wherein an inner surface of the cylinder (85) and the small piston (62) partially define a dosing chamber (48) of an auxiliary fluid to be mixed in the motor (20) in a prefixed amount with the main fluid, where said cylinder (85) has a threaded outer portion that meshes with a threaded portion of a ring nut (70) so that a rotation of the ring nut (70) causes an axial translation of the cylinder (85) and the variation of the volume of the dosing chamber (48), said proportional volumetric doser (30) being characterized in that the sleeve (80) comprises a locking system (100) configured to mechanically lock the cylinder (85) with respect to the tubular sleeve (80) by creating a shape constraint.

A fluid dispenser with a fluid pump for dispensing fluid on movement of an actuator, and an air pump for delivering a stream of air through at least one sound generator on movement of the actuator. The sound generator produces at least two sounds as the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position, with each sound produced in a different time period during a cycle of operation, or differing from the other sound in respect of one or more detectable sound characteristics, such as duration, frequency, temporal alignment, amplitude, and/or timbre. The time period of each sound is a function of the relative location of the actuator between the first and second positions.

Systems and methods for the injection/dispensing of fluid material in a volumetrically accurate and repeatable manner via an injection cell that interconnects two reservoirs of the fluid material. The injection cell has a normally closed dispensing valve that is opened for dispensing of the fluid material during a compression cycle, and closed during a return cycle. Opening and closing of the dispensing valve is effected using either or both of pressurized air and/or a motorized linkage. During the compression cycle, independent longitudinal displacements of a piston cylinder and a piston within the injection cell act to first open the dispensing valve and subsequently eject fluid material within the piston cylinder via the opened dispensing valve. The piston cylinder and piston are returned to an initial state that facilitates reloading of the injection cell from the reservoirs and closes the dispensing valve during a return cycle.

Metering equipment (A) for food products, including metering means (Di) defined by plunger means (Pi) and nozzle dispenser means (Ui) connected to said plunger-cylinder means (Ci, Pi) and suitable for dispensing volumetric quantities of said product; many-ways-valve distributing means (Vi) connected to said plunger-cylinder means (Ci, Pi) and to said nozzle dispenser means (Ui) placed in-between; said valve means (Vi) are being formed by a shaft (K) provided with a series of pass-through holes and suitable for turning around an own central lengthwise axis (X) inside the cylinder (Z) casing and for translating in a horizontal direction parallel to said central axis (X).

A pipetting unit (2) with capacitive liquid detection comprises: a pressure tube (10); a shield (12) disposed around the pressure tube (10); a coupling (14) for temporarily attaching a pipetting tip (4) to the pipetting unit (2), wherein when the pipetting tip (4) is connected, an electrical connection is established between the pressure tube (10) and the pipetting tip (4); and an electric circuit (20) coupled to the pressure tube (10) and the shield (12), wherein the electric circuit (20) is configured to apply a time-variable electrical signal to the pressure tube (10), said time-variable electrical signal permitting a capacitive detection of a contact between the pipetting tip (4) and a pipetting liquid (112) when the pipetting tip (4) is connected, and wherein the electric circuit (20) is configured to connect the shield (12) to ground.

An initial positioning system and method for liquid measuring and taking. The system comprises a measuring passage, a variable pressure chamber, and a piston, an initial end of the measuring passage being in communication with the upper part of the variable pressure chamber; the piston reciprocates in the variable pressure chamber to cause a change between positive pressure and negative pressure in the variable pressure chamber; the initial positioning system further comprises a pressure relief port located on the wall of the variable pressure chamber and capable of communicating with the outside of the variable pressure chamber; when the piston is located at the pressure relief port, and the inside and outside of the variable pressure chamber are in communication, the maximum volume of the liquid that can be accommodated in the variable pressure chamber is not smaller than one third of the total volume of the variable pressure chamber.