Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for sterilizing active pharmaceutical ingredients, which may be micronized, using radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pentobarbital formulation with greater stability and fewer impurities. In particular, the formulation may be an aqueous formulation containing 50 mg/mL pentobarbital sodium, 50% glycol, and 10% alcohol, at a pH of 9.4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia in a tissue or organ of an animal comprising providing an aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed are a transdermal patch comprising the aqueous gel formulation suitable for applying on the skin of a patient and a method of controlling pain therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a nutritional supplement in the form of one or more capsules comprising Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and at least one carotenoid. The invention also provides a nutritional supplement in the form of one or more capsules comprising Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc, copper, and at least one carotenoid. The invention further provides a method for the treatment and/or prevention of macular degeneration comprising the step of orally administering to a patient the nutritional supplement of the invention.

Abstract: Sterile compositions comprising triamcinolone compounds (desirably, triamcinolone acetonide), systems for providing such compositions, and methods for the preparation and use of such compositions. Exemplary of the inventive compositions is a sterile aqueous composition comprising triamcinolone acetonide, wherein the sterile aqueous composition has a pH of between about 5 and 7.5 and contains no more than 1 wt. % excipients other than tonicity-adjusting agents and pH-adjusting agents.

Abstract: Methods of using indocyanine green (ICG) dye for obtaining angiographic images of tissue in a patient, determining cardiac output or hepatic function and liver blood flow, and diagnosing and treating a lesion. In each method, an aqueous ICG composition is administered to the patient more than 10 hours after the ICG has been reconstituted to form the aqueous ICG composition, and up to a maximum time limit as determined using HPLC analysis of ICG.

Abstract: Aqueous indocyanine green (ICG) composition exhibiting enhanced stability, as well as enhanced ICG concentration, as compared to presently available ICG products. The composition comprises an aqueous ICG composition comprising ICG at a concentration of at least about 10 mg/ml and an aqueous diluent, wherein the composition is stable for at least 24 hours. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using these aqueous compositions are also contemplated, e.g., angiography, dye-enhanced photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, for a variety of conditions, including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), lesions and tumors.

Abstract: Use of radiation-absorbing dyes (e.g., indocyanine green (ICG), fluorescein, rose bengal) and photodynamic dyes (e.g., hematoporphyrins, aminolevulinic acids, porphyrins, merocyanines, porphycenes, porfimer sodium, verteporfin, Photofrin II, PH-10, chlorins, zinc phthalocyanine, purpurins, pheophorbides, monoclonal antibody-dye conjugates of any of the foregoing dyes) for the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal vasculature, including, generally, lesions, and, more specifically, tumors (cancerous and benign) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Abstract: Methods concerning medical uses for fluorescent dyes, e.g., Indocyanine green (ICG), fluorescein, rose bengal, for diagnosis and treatment. Methods for enhancing the clarity of fluorescent dye angiograms using relatively high dye concentrations, methods for determining the direction of blood flow within a blood vessel using fluorescent dye angiograms, and methods of identifying blood vessels that feed a lesion, such as a CNV or tumor. Methods of reducing the flow of blood into lesions incorporating dye-enhanced photocoagulation are also provided.