Abstract: Apparatus for circulating a liquid along a tubular conduit comprises a peristaltic pump provided with a rotor which acts through the intermediary of rollers, on an elastically deformable tube disposed in series along the mentioned tubular conduit and a device mounted outside on a section of the deformable tube for emitting an electric signal depending on the deformation induced in operation in the section of tube by the pressure of the said pumped liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and controlling the presence of a gaseous fluid in relation to a predetermined level of liquid in a vessel, being of the ultrasonic type and comprising a pair of piezoelectric transducers, namely a transmitter and a receiver, capable of being disposed on opposite walls of the vessel. An oscillator provides an electric ultrasonic frequency signal to the transmitter transducer and a comparator compares the electric signal supplied by the receiver transducer with a reference signal for triggering an alarm signal when the disparity between the signals being compared exceeds a predetermined value.The apparatus moreover comprises processing means which periodically interrupt the electric signal sent to the transmitter transducer and which check the presence of an alarm at the output of the above mentioned comparator.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a gaseous fluid in relation to a predetermined level of liquid in an elastically deformable vessel comprises a U-shaped body capable of accommodating within it a portion of the vessel at a predetermined liquid level. A pair of piezoelectric transducers in the body, used as transmitter and receiver, is fixed face-to-face on opposite arms of the U-shaped body. The device moreover comprises a cover capable of confining the portion of the vessel inside the U-shaped body, and an elastic device disposed between the cover and the U-shaped body and capable of producing an elastic deformation of the vessel and causing the contact surfaces of transducers to contact intimately the said portion of the vessel without entrapment of air.

Abstract: Lyophylisates comprising bromocriptine or an acid addition salt thereof capable of reconstitution in an isotonic vehicle to provide a stable formulation for occular instillation, useful e.g. in the treatment of glaucoma. Typical lyophylisates in accordance with the invention comprise: a lyophylisable acid, e.g. methane sulfonic acid, an acid addition salt of bromocriptine with said acid, e.g. bromocriptine mesylate, benzalkonium chloride and a lyophylisate matrix material.

Abstract: Spacers for membrane exchanges whose useful exchange zone is divided by at least one transversal rib directing one of the fluids to the side of the exchange zone where it passes through orifices to circulate subsequently on the opposite face.Application to heat and/or material exchanges with various fluids, especially biological fluids. Particular applications in haemodialysis and in blood oxygenation.

Abstract: Cement mix, particularly concrete mixes, for high compressive strength including early compressive strength, have extended workability without substantial loss in rate of hardening when containing an admixture combination of a sulfonated naphthalene-formaldehyde condensated and fractionated sulfonated lignin, such as ultrafiltered lignosulfonate.

Abstract: An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser (a) associated with and preferably integrated into a common unit D adapted to be connected simultaneously to a patient P, to a container 34 of fresh and/or used dialysis liquid, and to a controlling and checking console (h). The disposable common unit can perform all the functions necessary for a treatment. These functions are not performed by self-contained members, but by a small number of flexible multifunctional parts, such as elements 14 and 15, each cooperating with rigid parts such as parts 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and process for automatically coating solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, e.g., tablets. The apparatus comprises a coating pan, having a rotating means, e.g., motor and a weighing means, e.g., scales in combination with the pan and motor. A process controller is in electronic communication with both the pan motor and scales, for controlling the pan rotation and monitoring the weight of the coating pan contents. There is also provided a plurality of material containing reservoirs having conduit means communicating with the interior of the pan. The material containing reservoirs may also have weighing means, e.g., scales in combination with the reservoirs, which are also in electronic communication with the process controller. These reservoirs may contain a water supply, a coating syrup supply, color suspension supply, and polishing ingredients for use in coating the tablets.

Abstract: An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser connected to a dialysis liquid circuit has the dialysis liquid circuit designed and simplified so as to be entirely disposable. Preferably, the haemodialyser and also all the circuits for the blood, for the dialysis liquid and for removing the ultrafiltrate are disposable. They can be delivered in a disposable container which can, during treatment, be used as a support and as a dialysis liquid reservoir. A small console includes the re-usable means for controlling and checking the artificial kidney, together with their electric circuits.

Abstract: Polymers formed by incomplete esterification of the hydroxy groups of a water-soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol, amylose or dextran with a pharmacologically acceptable mono- or di-carboxylic acid to an extent sufficient to render the polymer water-insoluble although still water-swellable, are biodegradable. They are useful for the formulation of pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration, particularly in the form of injectable fine particles in which a drug is intimately mixed with or encapsulated by the polymer.

Abstract: A hydraulic cement mix including hydraulic cement, aggregate, sufficient water to affect hydraulic setting of the cement, and an additive comprising an N-methylol amide, specifically, tri- or tetramethylolglycoluril alone or in combination with other accelerators of set. The additive is present in an amount sufficient to decrease the time necessary for the hardening of the concrete mix. Generally, the additive is present in a total amount of up to about 4.0% by weight based upon the weight of cement in the mix, usually in an amount of between about 0.01% and about 2.50% by weight of cement. The latter concentration is present when complex combinations of accelerators of set for hydraulic cement are employed.

Abstract: A single-needle artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser divided by a semi-permeable membrane into first and second compartments, one of which forms part of an extracorporeal blood circuit including a blood circulation pump and a single needle for inserting into the patient and a dialysis liquid circuit including the second chamber and a dialysis liquid pump. The dialysis liquid circuit is provided with means for periodically modulating the flow rate of the dialysis liquid in the haemodialyser between minimum and maximum values, the flow rate of the dialysis liquid being produced by a sensing pulsations of the blood at frequencies less than one hertz and using these pulsations via a servo-control to effect changes in the dialysis liquid flow rate so that it reaches maximum and minimum values simultaneously with maximum and minimum of the blood flow rate.

Abstract: Dry souffle compositions having malto/Dextrin and Zanthan gum and wherein the resulting soufflees have an improved foam structure.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of medicament containing liposomes, comprising an aliphatic lipid-sterol-water lamellae, wherein a clear, mixed micellar medicament-detergent-aliphatic lipid-sterol sample is applied to a gel filtration column. The column effluent is continuously monitored to detect the liposome fraction eluted, which is collected. The free medicament, detergent, lipid and/or sterol may be recirculated back to the column.

Abstract: A semi-permeable membrane which comprises either(i) a copolymer of acrylonitrile and at least one ionic or ionizable monomer, or(ii) a copolymer of acrylonitrile, at least one ionic or ionizable monomer, and at least one non-ionic and non-ionizable monomer, or(iii) a mixture of at least two copolymers as defined under (i) and/or (ii), or(iv) a mixture of at least one copolymer as defined under (i) and/or (ii), and at least one copolymer of acrylonitrile and at least one non-ionic and non-ionizable monomer, the ionic or ionizable monomer units representing from 1 to 80 mole % of the monomer units in one of said copolymers, and representing from 1 to 50 mole % of the monomer units in the membrane, said membrane having a degree of salt rejection of less than 1% and a permeability to water of more than 100 liters/day.m.sup.2 at a relative pressure of 2 bars is provided having excellent properties for use in ultrafiltration and dialysis.

Abstract: So as to use easily in atomizing the content of a sectile ampule, the invention provides a unitary device comprising a tubular element fitted at one end with a hand actuated spraying pump, the other end of the tubular element being open for forming a tubular housing designed for receiving the sectile ampule.

Abstract: A process for the production of an improved and well tolerated analgesic preparation of paracetamol which comprises formulating tizanidine and paracetamol using e.g. granulating techniques and optionally putting up into tablet form, e.g. using compression and moulding techniques to produce tablets and suppositories.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising a mixture of vinyl chloride polymer and polyetherurethane with tertiary amine and/or ammonium groups. The compositions can be converted into shaped articles, e.g. tubes, cannulae, catheters and the like useful in the medical field.

Abstract: This invention provides for the production of microspheres in an oil-in-water emulsion process using an emulsifier, whereby solvent removal from the oil phase allows for isolation of discrete microspheres, wherein the release rate of a core material is modified by the use of an alkaline agent, e.g. sodium hydroxide, during the preparation of the microspheres.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing tubes automatically into a gas pathway between a gas source and a gas chromatograph when the apparatus is in use, the apparatus comprisinga gravity feed magazine for storing tubes,means for introducing a tube horizontally from the magazine to a gas pathway whereby, when the apparatus is in use, gas is introduced through a first pipe from a gas source to one end of the tube and is passed through the tube to a second pipe for introducing the gas into a gas chromatograph, one end of the tube and one end of the first pipe abutting opposite sides of a first resilient ring and the other end of the tube and one end of the second pipe abutting opposite sides of a second resilient ring the rings sealing the first pipe, tube and second pipe in the gas pathway while allowing gas to flow from the first pipe to the tube and from the tube to the second pipe.means for heating the tube when in the gas pathway andmeans for ejecting the tube from the pathway.