Nicholas J Miller

US Patent:

6435004, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Sep 11, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/152164

Inventors:

Nicholas C. Miller - White Bear Lake MN 55110

International Classification:

G01N 33497

US Classification:

73 233, 73 232, 73 2801, 7386303, 738655

Abstract:

A measuring system and process for measuring the size distribution of particles in an aerosol with a time-varying flow utilizing a measuring instrument that utilizes a time-invariant flow rate is provided. The process includes employing a vacuum source to establish a constant flow through the measuring instrument. The vacuum generated by the vacuum source is used to draw an aerosol stream through an inlet incorporating a second stream of relatively particle free gas. The first and/or the second stream may be adjusted so that at any instant of time, the sum of the two streams is a constant value equal to the flow rate through the measuring instrument.

US Patent:

57720851, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Mar 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/612593

Inventors:

Andrew M. Bryant - Loughborough, GB3
Nicholas C. Miller - White Bear Lake MN
Peter D. Hodson - Trowell, GB3

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B65D 8300

US Classification:

2224022

Abstract:

A metered dose dispensing valve is described that is particularly suitable for dispensing metered volumes of a pressurised aerosol formulation. The valve comprises a chamber, and a valve stem extending into the chamber and movable relative to the chamber between non-dispensing and dispensing positions. The valve stem has a configuration and the chamber has an internal configuration such that a metered volume is defined therebetween and such that during movement between its non-dispensing and dispensing positions the valve stem sequentially: (i) allows free flow of aerosol formulation into the chamber, (ii) defines a closed metered volume for pressurised aerosol formulation between the external surface of the valve stem and internal surface of the chamber, and (iii) moves with the closed metered volume within the chamber without decreasing the volume of the closed metered volume until the metered volume communicates with an outlet passage thereby allowing dispensing of the metered volume of pressurised aerosol formulation.

US Patent:

46242511, Nov 25, 1986

Filed:

Sep 13, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/650096

Inventors:

Nicholas C. Miller - White Bear Lake MN

Assignee:

Riker Laboratories, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820014

Abstract:

An apparatus for administering a nebulized substance to a subject comprising a nebulizer and a valve assembly which permits continuous and constant flow of pressured gas through the nebulizer even when the apparatus is not being used to administer the substance to a subject. This steady state operation of the nebulizer provides for administration of a controlled dose of the substance. A method for administering a controlled dose to a subject is also described.