69results about How to "Minimizing dead volume" patented technology

A tissue interface device (10) suitable for positioning on or about one or more artificial openings in a biological membrane of an organism and for coupling to a monitor and control unit and a vacuum source. The tissue interface device (10) comprises a housing (100), a sensor channel (130), and a sensor (150). The housing (100) defines an orifice (120), the orifice (120) having an open inlet port (122) on the bottom end (102) of the housing (100) and a distal end (124) that is in fluid communication with the sensor channel (130). The orifice (120) is in fluid communication with fluid that flows from the artificial opening formed in the biological membranes. The sensor channel (130) is for coupling to, and fluid communication therewith, the vacuum source. The sensor (150) is positioned in the sensor channel (130) in a flow path of the fluid for sensing a characteristic of the fluid as it flows out from the artificial opening. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof.

A sweat sensing device includes a plurality of sweat collection pads communicating with a sensor. Each of the pads is activated by a timing circuit which allows one or more of the pads to be activated at a selected time and subsequent deactivated after a defined period of time. This allows for selective collection of sweat from a plurality of pads over a prolonged period of time. An impedance measuring circuit can be employed to determine if one or more of the pads becomes disconnected, in order to avoid irritation. Further, the devices can use a common microfluidic device which both transports sweat activating substance, such as pilocarpine, to the surface of the skin and directs sweat away from the skin to a sensing device.

The present invention relates to an apparatus to dispense a sample for subsequent electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, to a method of fabricating such apparatus and to applications of such apparatus in biological and chemical analysis. The apparatus consists of an electrically non-conductive substrate comprising at least two covered microstructures (generally microchannels) having one extremity formed at the edge of the substrate, one of said microstructures containing the sample to be dispensed into a mass spectrometer by electrospray ionisation and at least a second of said microstructure containing a fluid used as sheath liquid or sheath gas, said at least two microstrctures being formed in such a manner that the sample and the sheath liquid / gas come in contact to each other and / or are mixed directly in the Taylor cone of the spray.

A supercharged combustion engine is provided with a device for exhaust gas feedback, so-called EGR, between the engine's outlet and its inlet. The device incorporates an exhaust gas driven turbine which drives a compressor which in its turn feeds exhaust gases, EGR, from the engine's outlet to its inlet. Valves situated respectively downstream and upstream from the compressor act on the EGR flow on the basis of parameters representing the engine's operating state so that desired EGR is obtained without unfavorable pressure distribution occurring across the compressor.

Provided is a lithium secondary battery having improved discharge characteristics in a range of high-rate discharge while minimizing a dead volume and at the same time, having increased cell capacity via increased electrode density and electrode loading amounts, by inclusion of two or more active materials having different redox levels so as to exert superior discharge characteristics in the range of high-rate discharge via sequential action of cathode active materials in a discharge process, and preferably having different particle diameters.

An integrated cantilever sensor array system that accurately detects and measures the presence of target substances in various environmental conditions. The integrated cantilever sensor array system comprises a cantilever sensor measurement head, a cantilever sensor system for measuring the oscillatory properties of the cantilevers and a measurement chamber. The measurement head includes a cantilever array having at least one cantilever, a light source and a detector positioned to detect incoming light reflected by the cantilevers within the cantilever array. The cantilever sensor system measures the oscillatory properties generated by the cantilevers within the cantilever array. The system includes the cantilever array and a detection system that measures a signal related to the bending of the cantilever. In addition, optional components such as a high frequency clock, Q-Control, may be added to more accurately measure the oscillation of the cantilevers within the cantilever array. The measurement chamber includes a flow cell, a cantilever sensor array mounted within the flow cell. The flow cell is designed to minimize dead volume and unwanted air bubbles within the cell, which may reduce accuracy of measurement.

A device and methods are provided, the device comprising a conductive union disposed in a conductive holder, a first fitting capable of coupling with the holder and fluidly communicating with the conductive union, and a spray tip disposed in the fitting and communicating with the conductive union along an axis. The device also comprises a ferrule and fitting capable of coupling with a second holder and communicating with a second conductive union, a tube disposed in the ferrule and fluidly communicating with the first conductive union and the spray tip along the axis. The assembly also includes an insulating member removably secured to the first and second conductive unions to electrically insulate them when they are electrically connected to first and second voltage levels, respectively.

The fluid-flow device (100) of the invention comprises a stack (30) covered by a closure wafer (20), said stack (30) comprising a support wafer (36), a layer of insulating material (34), and a silicon layer (32). The closure wafer (20) and / or said silicon layer (32) are machined so as to define a cavity (38) between said closure wafer (20) and said silicon layer (32), said support wafer (36) has at least one duct (102) passing right through it, said layer of insulating material (34) presenting at least one zone (35) that is entirely free of material placed at least in line with said duct (102) so as to co-operate with said cavity (38) to define a moving member (40) in said silicon layer (32), the moving member being suitable under the pressure of liquid in said cavity (38) for reversibly moving towards said support wafer (36) until contact is made between said moving member (40) and said support wafer (36).

A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir of variable working volume, at least one deformable wall defining an inside surface, and a dispenser orifice through which the fluid is dispensed while the working volume of the reservoir is being reduced by deforming the deformable wall, the dispenser further comprising a piston element that is in leaktight sliding contact with the inside surface of the deformable wall, said piston element comprising an upstream face that is not in contact with the fluid, and a downstream face that is in contact with the fluid and that forms a displaceable wall of the reservoir, said upstream face being separated from said downstream face by a zone that is in leaktight contact with the inside surface.

A device and methods are provided, the device comprising a conductive union disposed in a conductive holder, a first fitting capable of coupling with the holder and fluidly communicating with the conductive union, and a spray tip disposed in the fitting and communicating with the conductive union along an axis. The device also comprises a ferrule and fitting capable of coupling with a second holder and communicating with a second conductive union, a tube disposed in the ferrule and fluidly communicating with the first conductive union and the spray tip along the axis. The assembly also includes an insulating member removably secured to the first and second conductive unions to electrically insulate them when they are electrically connected to first and second voltage levels, respectively.

The fluid-flow device (100) of the invention comprises a stack (30) covered by a closure wafer (20), said stack (30) comprising a support wafer (36), a layer of insulating material (34), and a silicon layer (32). The closure wafer (20) and / or said silicon layer (32) are machined so as to define a cavity (38) between said closure wafer (20) and said silicon layer (32), said support wafer (36) has at least one duct (102) passing right through it, said layer of insulating material (34) presenting at least one zone (35) that is entirely free of material placed at least in line with said duct (102) so as to co-operate with said cavity (38) to define a moving member (40) in said silicon layer (32), the moving member being suitable under the pressure of liquid in said cavity (38) for reversibly moving towards said support wafer (36) until contact is made between said moving member (40) and said support wafer (36).

Fluid dispensers and methods for dispensing viscous fluids with improved edge definition. Pressurized fluid is periodically supplied in pulses to nozzles in a nozzle plate of a dispensing head as the dispensing head is moved by a multi-axis stage relative to a stationary substrate. Droplets are discharged from the nozzles and impact on the substrate. The droplets coalesce together to define the coating. The discharge from one or more groups of nozzles can be temporarily suspended to avoid coating a component or area on the substrate while adjacent areas continue to receive droplets of the fluid.

An improved chromatograph valve is provided which may be placed in close proximity to a chromatograph in order to avoid temperature variations in the space therebetween. The valve may include a multiple sample slot rotor movable in a single direction to reduce wear upon the rotor and valve body. The rotor sample slots as well as the pairs of sample and carrier gas ports upon the valve body may be diametrically opposed to allow a superior temperature gradient to be created across the valve, the gradient allowing a sample material to enter the valve in a single phase and exit the valve sufficiently volatilized.

A medical unit includes a shielded enclosure (2) in which are accommodated:—elements (13) for supporting a container (12) including a source or a generator of injectable radioactive product (11),—elements (10) for supporting a syringe (6),—a device (3) of the activimeter type, and—a system of pipes (9, 20, 23, 24) associated with at least one valve (15). The syringe support (10), the valve (15) and the radioactive source support (13) are arranged vertically relative to one another, respectively from top to bottom, the syringe support (10) being arranged to support the syringe (6) with the plunger (8) thereof oriented upward. The valve (15) and the syringe plunger (8) can be operated so as to ensure the withdrawal, dilution and injection operations.

A multiple-line connective device for use in a medication infusing system includes a connective device body forming a main flow passage from an inlet to an outlet along a longitudinal axis, the main flow passage including an interior surface having a raised surface feature configured to induce turbulent liquid flow through the main flow passage. One or more branches extend from the connective device body, each defining at least one branch passage in communication with the main flow passage. Each branch passage enters the main flow passage at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis that imparts a flow through the branch passage that has a directional component that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and in the direction from the inlet to the outlet.

A gas release valve for a paintball marker employs a uniquely configured gas flow passage to improve gas flow through the valve and enhance the performance and efficiency of the marker. A short axial intake portion of the gas flow passage meets an angled exhaust portion at an angle of approximately 120°. A transition surface at the intersection of the intake and exhaust portions is at least partially defined by a portion of a sphere. The valve body defines an internal spring chamber in which an elastic o-ring engages a radial groove on the valve stem to hold the valve bias spring in compressed relationship inside the spring chamber. The o-ring also seals the valve stem to the valve body and supports the valve during reciprocation. The disclosed valve configuration improves the efficiency and ease of assembly and disassembly of the gas release valve.

A suction valve coupling structure for a reciprocating compressor is disclosed in which a piston being linearly moved in a cylinder upon receipt of driving force from an electric mechanism unit, according to which gas flows through a gas flow passage formed therein, is coupled by welding to a valve for opening and closing the gas flow passage, thereby strengthening the coupling state of the suction valve. Since the coupling structure is simplified, a dead volume is reduced and a stroke volume is increased, improving compression efficiency. A stroke control of the piston is facilitated to enable a precise control of movement of the piston. In addition, a reliability of the coupling of the suction valve can be improved.

A condenser for a vehicle includes an integrally formed receiver-drier and a plurality of stacked plates. The condenser may be used in an air conditioning having an expansion valve expanding liquid refrigerant, an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion valve through heat-exchange with air, and a compressor receiving from the evaporator and compressing gaseous refrigerant, may be provided between the compressor and the expansion valve, and may circulate coolant supplied from a radiator so as to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor through heat-exchange with the coolant and the refrigerant.

A condenser for a vehicle is used in an air conditioning having an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a compressor, is provided between the compressor and the expansion valve, and circulates coolant supplied from a radiator so as to condense refrigerant supplied from the compressor through heat-exchange with the coolant and the refrigerant.The condenser may include a main heat-radiating portion connected to the radiator to circulate coolant, and adapted to circulate refrigerant from the compressor to condense the refrigerant through heat-exchange with the coolant, a receiver-drier portion integrally formed with the main heat-radiating portion to receive the condensed refrigerant perform gas-liquid separation and moisture removal of the refrigerant, and an overcooling heat-radiating portion circulating low temperature and low pressure gas refrigerant supplied from the evaporator, and overcooling the refrigerant supplied from the receiver-drier portion through heat-exchange with the low temperature and low pressure gas refrigerant.

Disclosed is a bi-directional piston displacement type volumetric fluid flow rate delivery and metering system (calibration standard) and operational method for calibration of fluid flowmeters. The present invention provides reduced uncertainty of delivered volumetric fluid flow rate at meters under test relative to the uncertainty of volumetric fluid flow rate at meters under test provided by prior art bi-directional piston displacement type volumetric fluid flow rate standards given the same nominal cylinder diameters and working fluid and equal dimensional, timing and temperature measurement uncertainties by employing a plurality of metering pistons and cylinders to minimize the connecting volume piping between the metering piston cylinder outlet and meters under test, providing open access to one side of each metering piston to accomplish installation of temperature probes through the pistons into the working fluid and by operational method which minimizes the connecting volume to standard volume ratio.

A pressure sensing section and a sensor element are provided in a housing. A pair of coupling ports 12a and 12b are formed at both ends of the housing so as to be aligned with the piping section. A flow path is formed in approximate convex such that the first flow path which switches the flowing direction of the liquid member from an aligned piping section to the pressure sensing section, the second flow path through which the liquid member flows along the pressure sensing section, and the third flow path 13c which switches the flowing direction of the liquid member from the pressure sensing section to the aligned piping section are connected. By doing this, it is possible to provide an inline pressure sensor in which a dead volume as an undesirable liquid pool can be minimized.

The disclosure relates to an electrode active material including: (a) first particulate of a metal (or metalloid) oxide alloyable with lithium; and (b) second particulate of an oxide containing lithium and the same metal (or metalloid) as that of the metal (or metalloid) oxide, and to a secondary battery including the electrode active material. When the electrode active material is used as an anode active material, reduced amounts of an irreversible phase such as a lithium oxide or a lithium metal oxide are produced during initial charge-discharge of a battery since lithium is already contained in the second particulate before the initial charge-discharge, and thus a dead volume on the side of the cathode can be minimized and a high-capacity battery can be fabricated.

The device and the method are used for optical detection of at least one phase transition between at least two media, which are taken into a line and / or dispensed from the line by an intake and / or dispensing device. A light-emitting transmitter emits light across and onto the line at a measurement point provided for this purpose. A receiver receives the emitted light, which is influenced by media in the line, to form reception signals. At least one waveguide, which is arranged up to the measurement point on the probe, is provided between the transmitter and / or the receiver and the measurement point (M). Due to the fact that the waveguide is arranged in parallel to the line at least in the area near the probe and at least one deflection lens is provided in the area of the measurement point to deflect the light emitted and / or the light to be detected, a phase boundary or state can be detected, and the dead volume is reduced.

Disclosed herein is a linear compressor in which a piston reciprocally moves in a cylinder upon receiving a reciprocating drive force of a linear motor to compress working-fluid, for example, refrigerant, received in the cylinder. The linear compressor comprises the piston adapted to reciprocally move in the cylinder, the piston being internally formed with a suction path, a suction valve to open or close the suction path of the piston to selectively connect the suction path of the piston to the interior of the cylinder, and a suction valve stopper to limit the degree of opening of the suction valve, whereby no excessive stress is applied to the suction valve. This has the effect of eliminating damage and deformation of the suction valve, minimizing vibration and noise due to the opening / closing operations of the suction valve, and maintaining the compression efficiency of the compressor at a constant value.

A polymeric container for storing a drug such as insulin which comprises a hard shell (2) and a flexible film (1), wherein both elements are made from the same material.

A reciprocating compressor is provided that includes a compression chamber inside of a cylinder and a piston inserted therein. The piston includes a head, a skirt extended from a lower end of the head so as to be spaced away from an inside wall of the cylinder, and guide surfaces extended from an outside surface of the skirt. Since the skirt is not in contact with the cylinder, a friction loss between the piston and the cylinder is reduced, and the guide surfaces assist the piston to make stable reciprocation. The head has a projection so as to be inserted into a discharge hole when the piston is at a top dead center. According to this, a dead volume formed when the piston is at the top dead center is reduced, thereby improving an efficiency of the compressor.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for separating articles from a group of articles. The apparatus includes a container for containing one or more articles coupled to a suitable fluidizer for suspending articles within the container and transporting articles to an induction tube. A portal in the induction tube introduces articles singly into the induction tube. A vacuum pulls articles through the induction tube separating the articles from the group of articles in the container. The apparatus and method can be combined with one or more unit operations or modules, e.g., for inspecting articles, assessing quality of articles, or ascertaining material properties and / or parameters of articles, including layers thereof.

The present invention relates to an electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery and the preparation thereof. The electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a core including (a) first particulates consisting of an oxide of a metal (metalloid) capable of alloying with lithium, and (b) second particulates consisting of an oxide containing the same metal (metalloid) together with lithium; and a conductive carbon layer coated on the surface of the core. The electrode active material of the present invention has high capacity and improved electric conductivity, thereby providing good charge and discharge rate capability.