A method of operating an aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The method includes sensing, at a first sensor of a sensor arrangement, a first indicia of an article including aerosolizable medium; sensing, at a second sensor of the sensor arrangement spaced a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second indicia of the article; determining a distance between the first indicia and the second indicia; and operating the aerosol generating apparatus based at least on the distance between the first indicia and the second indicia.

Methods and systems are described herein for fluid handling and dispensing liquid substances using vaporization or nebulization in a controlled, safe manner. A dispensing device may be configured to receive one or more cartridges storing different types of vaporizable or nebulizable substances. A controller may be provided to regulate the amount of a given substance dispensed over a defined time period. Optionally, in response to detecting tampering of the dispensing device and/or a liquid cartridge the dispensing device may be disabled and/or a liquid stored in a substance cartridge may be rendered inert.

A patient care system is configured for infusing fluid to a patient. The system includes a plurality of modular fluid infusion pumps that each has a connector for connecting to a modular programming unit or to one another. Systems and methods are configured for verifying that the connectors are reliably performing their functions or communicatively connecting the pumps to one another or to the programming unit.

The hemodialysis system includes a closed loop dialysate flow path which includes a dialyzer and a reservoir for storing dialysate, and a closed loop blood flow path which passes through the dialyzer in the opposite direction as the dialysate flow path. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes pumps for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths, a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of dialysate in the dialysate flow path, and a level sensor for measuring the level of dialysate in the dialysate reservoir. A processor is connected to the flow sensor, reservoir level sensor and pumps to provide a first closed loop control system including the processor, flow sensor and a first dialysate pump, and a second closed loop control system including the processor, level sensor and a second dialysate pump which enable the processor to initiate, monitor and maintain ultrafiltration.

A breathing assistance apparatus is configured with features that improve serviceability of the apparatus. The apparatus can include animations to provide instruction regarding correcting easily-identified fault conditions and to provide instruction regarding routine maintenance routines. The apparatus also can be configured with top level control menus that are obscured in a manner to limit manipulation of the top level control elements by unauthorized users.

Systems and methods for automatically delivering medication to a user. An automated drug delivery system may include a sensor and a wearable automated drug delivery device. The wearable automated drug delivery device may be configured to couple to the skin of a user and may include a controller and a pump. The pump may be configured to output the medication. The controller may be within the wearable automated drug delivery device. The sensor may be coupled to the user and may be configured to collect information regarding the user. The controller of the wearable automated drug delivery device may use the collected information to locally determine an amount of medication to be output from the wearable automated drug delivery device and cause delivery of the amount of medication.

A counting mechanism (100) for a dispenser comprising: a first and a second housing part (110, 120) that are rotatable relative to each other; and a counting ring (130) disposed between the housing parts. The first housing part has a protrusion (111) which abuts the counting ring, holding a portion of the counting ring in contact with the second housing part. The relative rotation of the housing parts causes the protrusion to slide against the surface of the counting ring to drive a rolling movement of the counting ring around the circumference of the second housing part, such that a predefined rotation of the housing parts produces an incremental rotational displacement between the counting ring and second housing part to record a count. The counting mechanism provides a large gear reduction ratio in a compact form which is straightforward to manufacture and provides an accurate and reliable record of counts.

A method of using a nebulizer includes connecting a medicine vial containing a medicine solution to the nebulizer and reading a medicine conductivity and/or pH value from the medicine vial. The conductivity and/or pH of the medicine solution is measured and compared with the medicine conductivity and/or pH value. When the medicine conductivity and/or pH value and the measured conductivity and/or pH of the medicine solution match, the flow rate value and dosage timings are read from the medicine vial; and the mesh is activated at the medicine flow rate value to produce a plume of particles of a medicine solution at the beginning of an inhalation. The active mesh is deactivated to stop making particles by manually or at a calculated time. The activation of the active mesh is restricted to approved users by means of an authentication code or biometric feature information.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

An aerosol generating device for receiving an aerosol generating article includes an electrical circuit including a controller for determining a change in an electrical property of the circuit. The change in the electrical property of the circuit is caused by the user interacting with an aerosol generating article received by the device.