Modeling, Identification and Control of a Thermal glue based temporary fixing system : Application to the Micro-Robotic field.

International audienceThe purpose of this paper is to present a temporary fixing system based on a thermal glue that is well-adapted to micro-robotics. In the paper, ths system is used to design a tool changer but can be generalized to other micro-robotic applications. A thermal modeling and an identification procedure are presented to propose a strategy to control the system. This system takes place into a micromanipulation station to gain flexibility, space and complexity. Indeed, to perform sequences of micromanipulation tasks (i.e. micro-assembly sequences), only one manipulator, able to use sequentially several end-effectors, has to be used instead of several dedicated to one specific task

Flexible micro-assembly system equiped with an automated tool changer.

International audienceThis paper deals with the design, fabrication and experimental validation of several modules of a micro-assembly system. On one hand, a microgripper is integrated in a four degrees of freedom system. On the other hand, a tool changer is designed. It enables to exchange automatically the tip part of the microgripper and then dedicated tools can be used to achieve specific tasks. The principle of this tool changer relies on a thermal glue whose phase (liquid or solid) is controlled by heat generators. This system is based on the modeling of thermal phenomena in the tools during a cycle of tool exchange. A compliant system is added to limit micromanipulation forces applied during assembly tasks like insertions. Finally, the successful assembly of several microcomponents is detailed, highlighting the capabilities and benefits of the whole system

Temporary fixing systems for applications in Microrobotics.

International audienceThis paper focuses on temporary fixing systems for microrobotics. Several solutions from the art are presented and compared : solutions based on mechanical bending, electromagnetic elements, electrostatic forces, glues, polymers or Van der Waals forces. From this analysis, we designed and developed a new system based on thermal glue (that permits to exchange the tip part of a microgripper) for microassembly stations. This system brings a high flexibility and compactness for microrobotic applications

Development and pre-validation of a high sensitive method for the determination of levonorgestrel in human plasma by SPE/LC/MS-MS

Peer reviewe

A micromanipulation cell including a microtools changer.

International audienceThis paper describes the structure of a flexible micromanipulation cell designed to perform precise pick and place operations of objects with typical sizes from 20 to 500 ¹m. This cell is composed of three linear stages (X-Y-Z), a four degrees of freedom microgripper and a microtools changer

Investigation of potential substandard dry powder inhalers on EU and North African markets – Evaluation of the delivered and fine particle doses

peer reviewedPurpose: Discovery of falsified Symbicort® 320/9 Turbohaler® identified in the UK in 2013 demonstrated that falsified dry powder inhalers were also present in the European market. This work aimed to investigate the current situation of formoterol-containing dry powder inhalers in Europe and North Africa by assessing their aerodynamic performance profile. Methods: A total of 8 registered formoterol-based dry powder inhalers over the European and North African markets were involved in the current study, including the reference drug Foradil®. Samples were prepared using a multistage liquid impinger and further analyzed by a validated HPLC-UV method to determine the delivered and the fine particle doses. This study also examined the impact of freezing-thawing cycles on sample stability in terms of analytical purpose handling. Results: No substandard dry powder inhalers were identified among the medicinal products involved in this work. The delivered dose of assessed drugs varied from 8.33 µg to 9.69 µg, while the fine particle dose was between 1.86 µg and 3.35 µg. As expected, the present work confirmed that the capsule composition and the barrier properties of the primary packaging can affect the fine particle dose of dry powder for inhalation use. Conclusion: The fine particle dose of products C and B was respectively 17.4% and 14.2% superior to Foradil®, products D and H had the closest values compared to the original drug, and product F was 34.5% inferior. Additionally, this work showed that a high fine particle dose can be achieved using HPMC capsules and moisture-impermeable primary packaging

Intérêt de la chromatographie liquide d'interactions hydrophiles pour l'analyse de composés polaires dans des matrices complexes

Peer reviewe

In-Vitro Broad Band Impedance Study of a Biochemical Reaction under Nanopulses: Electrode Impedance as a Reaction Sensor

LGEP 2014 ID = 1663International audienceThis work is a first attempt to investigate the effects of ultra wideband (UWB) electromagnetic pulses upon a reaction of biological interest involved in neuronal communication, the hydrolysis of acetylcholine chloride (AChCl) catalyzed by the acetylcholine esterase enzyme (AChE). This study is based on broadband impedance measurements performed with the same cell in the range 40 Hz-4 GHz within 10s, without or with superimposed nanopulses, as a function of the elapsed time. The response above 1 MHz was assigned to the conductive and dielectric properties of the aqueous solution containing AChCl and AChE filling the cell. The response below 100 kHz was due to electrode impedance at the golden cell wall/solution interfaces. This low frequency behavior was ascribed to a dynamical adsorption-desorption process of AChCl in equilibrium with the bulk. The electrode impedance behaves as a sensor of the actual bulk concentration of AChCl when the reaction is in progress. From impedance spectra analysis it was shown that superimposed nanopulses slowed down the hydrolysis reaction, the stronger this effect the higher the pulse repetition rate. The inhibition of the reaction could be related to a lesser catalytic activity of AChE possibly through a conformational change induced by nanopulses

Perspective: What constitutes a quality paper in drug analysis?

peer reviewedFAKEPHAR