Abstract: The healing of a number of skin disorders is effectively enhanced by prolonged continuous occlusion and/or hydration. Treating these disorders, e.g. psoriasis, is significantly facilitated by occluding affected skin areas with a suitable barrier for a prolonged and continuous period of time. Such occlusion is effective by itself, but is materially improved by concurrent topical administration of medicament useful for treating the disorder. In such cases the prolonged, continuous occlusion markedly increases hydration which has the further therapeutic benefit of tremendously facilitating penetration of medicament. The provided barrier is advantageously one with low vapor transmission or one which is water impermeable.

Abstract: A solid sustained-release preparation in the form of a needle-like or bar-like shape, which consists essentially of an active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable biodegradable carrier (e.g. proteins, preferably collagen, gelatin, and a mixture thereof). The sustained-release preparation can be administered to the body or implanted into the body by injection or an injection-like method and can release the active ingredient at an effective level for a long period of time when administered.

Abstract: A composite medical article comprising a porous body, a first layer of a medicinal substance and a second layer of a medicinal substance. A method for forming a composite medical article comprising saturating a porous substrate so as to incorporate a first medicinal substance therein, preparing a coating therefor comprising a second medicinal substance with at least a portion thereof in liquid phase, affixing an onlay of the coating to the material by freezing the liquid portion of the coating to the material to form an onlaid composite medical article and drying the article. The medicinal substances may comprise either a hemostatic agent or a medicament.

Abstract: A new method for treatment of skin burn is disclosed. A known material, sodium polyacrylate, has been discovered to be useful in the treatment of burns. The method of treatment includes spreading sodium polyacrylate powder as a dressing over the skin burn area, and wetting the powder, such as by spraying with sterilized distilled water until the powder becomes moist. The outer wetted surface of the moistened powder layer dries to provide a parchment like surface. Such a dressing may be maintained in position over the skin burn area for about 2-3 weeks, operating to control loss of water from the body through the burn area, avoiding capillary permeability, and appearing to prevent infection of the burn area. The dressing may be selectively removed or is sloughed off, and is eventually pushed off by the growth of new tissue under the bottom surface of the protective layer. Sodium polyacrylate (PANa) may be used by itself, or mixed with an anti-inflammatory, or with an antibiotic.

Abstract: Crosslinked hyaluronic acid or salts thereof prepared by crosslinking hyaluronic acid or salts thereof with a polyfunctional epoxy compound wherein a crosslinking index or number is 5 or more per 1000 repeating disaccharides composed of glucronic acid in hyaluronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, and having various medical and cosmetic uses.

Abstract: A method for imparting non-fugitive antimicrobial activity to an article of manufacture is disclosed which comprises forming the articles of manufacture from an acrylonitrile composition which includes up to 10% of a protonated amine. The antimicrobial activity is inherent in the acrylonitrile composition.

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system using a subsaturated matrix is provided having improved approved release characteristics. Reinforcing means preferably in the form of a fabric are embedded in the upper surface of the subsaturated matrix. At least a portion of the reinforcing means is selected such that the active agent to be delivered to the skin has a solubility, C.sub.r therein which is lower than the initial solubility C.sub.o of the agent in the matrix. In addition, the relationship between the diffusion coefficients of the agent in the matrix D.sub.m and the portion of reinforcing means D.sub.r and the solubilities is given by the relationship: D.sub.r .multidot.C.sub.r <D.sub.m .multidot.C.sub.o. In operation the agent dissolved in the reinforcing means acts as a secondary reservoir improving the release characteristics of the system. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly adapted for scrotal and labial delivery of drugs such as testosterone and progesterone.

Abstract: Polylactones blended with a polyether and then shaped are leached with aqueous solution of an organic solvent such as alcohol or acetone to elute selectively the polyether and form interconnected pores within the shaped polylactone. The result is a shaped article suitable for use a reservoir for the controlled release of high molecular weight drugs.

Abstract: A compressed powder formulation which consists essentially of an organophilic clay and at least one topical agent. The formulation maintains its physical integrity upon handling thereby permitting the preparation of the formulation in the form of self-supporting sticks and exhibits an acceptable level of payout. Additionally, the formulation retains an acceptable level of payout even when contacted with water. A process of making the formulation by compressing a powderous mixture is also set forth.

Abstract: A flexible continuous film is comprised of a physical admixture of a polypeptide, a plasticizer and a film-forming flexible polymer. When the film is moistened, the polypeptides exude therefrom.

Abstract: A device for the controlled release of an active material into an aqueous medium comprises a porous sintered body of a water soluble glass (11). The pores of the body are filled with a composition (12) consisting wholly or partially of an active material. The device may be provided with a low solubility coating (13). On immersion in an aqueous medium the glass (11) dissolves to become a sponge-like structure having a plurality of convoluted capillaries and from which the active material is released.

Abstract: A novel material consisting of a combination of a proteolipid and biodegradable, biocompatible copolymer has been developed for improving and accelerating the healing of osseous tissue. The proteolipid was prepared by combining muco-peptide-N-acetyl-muramoylhydrolase with phosphatidyl inositol, 4,5-diphosphate and the copolymer consists essentially of a 50:50 poly(L)(-)lactide co-glycolide.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation for remedy of periodontal diseases, which is in the form of a film or sheet and is inserted in a periodontal pocket or gingiva, said pharmaceutical preparation comprising a water-soluble polymeric substance having a Young's modulus of 10 to 250 Kg/mm.sup.2 as determined at a temperature of 25.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 65%, and a viscosity of the 2% aqueous solution of 5 to 30,000 CP as determined at 20.degree. C. and a medicinal agent for remedy of periodontal diseases. This pharmaceutical preparation can be prepared by dissolving the above-mentioned water-soluble polymeric substance and medicinal agent in an organic solvent, casting the resultant solution, and removing the organic solvent by drying to obtain a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of a film or sheet.

Abstract: An absorbable biologically compatible putty-like composition is used as a matrix from which immunologically or pharmacologically active agents, such as antibiotics, can be introduced into the body to provide a slow sustained release of the agent over an extended period of time. A preferred matrix comprises a mixture of calcium stearate, dextran and castor oil.

Abstract: A synthetic hydrophilic membrane is prepared by graft polymerization of hydrophilic monomers with a polyurethane substrate. The resulting material has a water permeability in the range from about 1,000 to 8,000 g/m.sup.2 /24hr. The material is particularly useful as a wound covering material where such water permeability corresponds to the elevated water loss from open wounds and allows the wound to heal without desiccation or water accumulation under the covering.

Abstract: Migraine headaches are treated or prevented by the administration of scopolamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably scopolamine hydrocloride is administered to the patient transdermally at a substantially constant rate using a metered drug delivery system conveniently adhered to the patient's skin.