Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ spectroscopic analysis comprising a flow cell having a region of reasonable flow, the region of reasonable flow having a flow rate less than approximately 20% of the maximum flow rate, and first and second probes having optic cable member ends with a path length in the range of 20 &mgr;m to 1 mm that are disposed in the region of reasonable flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the alignment of a valve sealed onto a canister comprises hollow lower and upper sections, a mounting platform, and a transducer. The upper and lower interior regions cooperatively define an inner chamber in which the mounting platform is disposed. The transducer is mounted to the upper section and includes a probe extending through the upper section and into the inner chamber. The apparatus is adapted for relative rotational movement between the mounting platform and the upper section. The transducer is responsive to linear translation of the probe and displays a human-readable indication of the alignment of a valve sealed in a canister as the probe moves around the circumference of the top surface of the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the alignment of a valve sealed onto a canister comprises hollow lower and upper sections, a mounting platform, and a transducer. The upper and lower interior regions cooperatively define an inner chamber in which the mounting platform is disposed. The transducer is mounted to the upper section and includes a probe extending through the upper section and into the inner chamber. The apparatus is adapted for relative rotational movement between the mounting platform and the upper section. The transducer is responsive to linear translation of the probe and displays a human-readable indication of the alignment of a valve sealed in a canister as the probe moves around the circumference of the top surface of the valve.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler having all or part of its internal surfaces coated with one or more fluorocarbon polymers, optimally a blend of one or more fluorocarbon polymers in combination with one or more non-fluorocarbon polymers, for dispensing an inhalation drug formation comprising fluticasone propionate or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof and a fluorocarbon propellant, optionally in combination with one or more other pharmacologically active agents or one or more excipients.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly heating and cooling deep well pharmaceutical microplates when used in fluid connection with a heater/cooler water pump. The apparatus comprises a housing having a divider plate extending transversely through the medial portion of the housing and that defines a matrix of apertures therethrough. A plurality of vertically extending tubes are mounted within a corresponding plurality of the matrix of apertures with the lower end of each tube mounted in a corresponding aperture and the top end extending upwardly from the divider plate and through the open top of the housing.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler having part or all of its internal surfaces coated with one or more fluorocarbon polymers, optionally in combination with one or more non-fluorocarbon polymers, for dispensing an inhalation drug formulation comprising beclomethasone dipropionate or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, and a fluorocarbon propellant, optionally in combination with one or more other pharmacologically active agents or one or more excipients.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler having part or all of its internal metallic surfaces coated with one or more fluorocarbon polymers, in combination with one or more non-fluorocarbon polymers, for dispensing an inhalation drug formulation comprising salmeterol, or a salt thereof, and a fluorocarbon propellant, optionally in combination with one or more other pharmacologically active agents and one or more excipients.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler having all or part of its internal surfaces coated with one or more fluorocarbon polymers, optimally a blend of one or more fluorocarbon polymers in combination with one or more non-fluorocarbon polymers, for dispensing an inhalation drug formation comprising albuterol or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof and a fluorocarbon propellant, optionally in combination with one or more other pharmacologically active agents or one or more excipients.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and a method of inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is disclosed which comprises administering to an HIV infected patient a homogenous combination of lamivudine, zidovudine and a pharmaceutical glidant in an amount which achieves antiviral efficacy.

Abstract: A patient medical record system includes a number of caregiver computers, and a patient record database with patient data coupled to the caregiver computers selectively providing access to the patient data from one of the caregiver computers responsive to a predetermined set of access rules. The predetermined set of rules includes a rule that access to a predetermined portion of the patient data by a first caregiver must be terminated before access to the same predetermined portion by a second caregiver is allowed.

Abstract: A exit chute for a pharmaceutical tablet press machine comprising a first exit chute portion having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is adapted to be secured to the tablet press for receiving tablets formed thereby. A second exit chute portion is provided that has a first end and a second end and the first end is adapted to be removably secured to the second end of the first exit chute portion to form an extended tablet pathway, and the second chute portion includes an aperture therein whereby rejected tablets can be diverted to pass therethrough and accepted tablets will be allowed to pass through the second exit chute portion and out of the second end thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aerosol dispensing apparatus, more particularly an aerosol dispensing valve incorporating a controlled metered dispensing function wherein the metering chamber holding the next aerosolized dose is in fluidic communication with the reservoir allowing homogenous mixing of the next aerosolized dose to be dispensed.

Abstract: A therapy pillow comprising a wedge-shaped resilient foam element having a planar recess in the medial portion of the top surface thereof. A flexible plastic container adapted to be sealingly filled with a fluid snugly fits into the planar recess of the foam element so as to be substantially coplanar with the top surface thereof when filled with a suitable fluid such as water.

Abstract: Prescribed herein are novel non-steroidal ligands for the estrogen receptor which possess tissue-dependent estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity as well as methods for making the same and their applications in treating a variety of disease states.

Abstract: In combination an automated blend waste reclaim apparatus and a pharmaceutical tablet compression machine to facilitate reintroduction of blend into the tablet compression machine and comprising a filter operatively connected to the bulk material container of the tablet compression machine which serves to collect excess blend being pneumatically removed from the tablet compression machine. A blast of compressed air serves to periodically remove blend from the filter, and the blend is then caused to be reintroduced into the bulk material container of the pharmaceutical tablet compression machine.

Abstract: Novel pyrrolidine compounds which are useful for inhibiting the function of Type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE-IV) as well as methods for making the same are disclosed. Applications in treating inflammatory diseases and other diseases involving elevated levels of cytokines, as well as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is claimed for preparing [1S(1(.alpha., 2.beta., 4.beta.)]-4-amino-2-hydroxymethyl -1-cyclopentanol from cis-4-((R)-benzoylamino)-2-cyclopentenecarboxylic acid, methyl ester in five steps. The invention also describes a number of novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of [1S(1.alpha., 2.beta.,4.beta.)]-4-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1-cyclopentanol.

Abstract: An automated biological cell harvesting apparatus including a fluid dispensing head adapted to move to a lowered position and dispense fluid from a plurality of spray ports, a fixed upper tray positioned beneath the fluid dispensing head for supporting a biological filter plate of the type defining a plurality of fluid permeable wells therein, a vertically movable lower tray adapted to move from a lowermost position to a raised position in engagement with the upper tray. A controller is provided for dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing head into the wells of the filter plate, and raising the lower tray into its raised position in engagement with the upper tray and then creating a vacuum between the lower tray and the upper tray to draw the fluid from the filter plate supported on the upper tray into the lower tray for collection in a microplate with a corresponding number of wells or, in the absence of a microplate, for removal of the fluid from the lower tray to a remote common waste collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compound of formula (I), ##STR1## also known as 17.beta.-N-(2,5-bis(Trifluoromethyl))phenylcarbamoyl-4-aza-5.alpha.-andros t-1-en-3-one, solvates thereof, its preparation, intermediates used in its preparation, pharmaceutical formulations thereof and its use in the treatment of androgen responsive and mediated diseases.