Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for treatment of waste from suction canisters. The waste treatment system includes a canister-cleaning and a reservoir chamber. The canister-cleaning chamber holds the suction canister to be treated. The reservoir chamber is fluidly connected to the canister-cleaning chamber and to a water source. The reservoir chamber adapted to be raised and lowered relative to the canister-cleaning chamber to permit cleaning fluids to flow to and from the canister cleaning-chamber.

Abstract: A formulation of a sparingly water-soluble, crystalline pharmaceutically active agent wherein the active agent is converted to and stabilized in its amorphous form as a solid solution of a normally hydrophobic vehicle is described. The amorphous state is stabilized by the composition of the formulation, providing long shelf life of the improved composition. This stabilized formulation also provides increased solubility and bioavailability of the active agent. Solutions of the active agent are stabilized by the composition, preventing recrystallization and precipitation of the less soluble, crystalline form of the active agent from aqueous solutions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial skin-preparation delivery systems useable to disinfect a surgical site for surgery. The delivery systems include an antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation contained within a sealed, flexible container and a gel formulation dispenser connected to the container. The gel formulation dispenser includes a container connector connected to the flexible container and a gel applicator having a sealed piercing member which is slidably engaged with the container connector. An applicator pad is porous and also has enlarged holes for passage of the gel formulation. The gel formulation dispenser pierces a seal in the container and delivers the antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation from the container to the surgical site. Flow rate of the gel formulation is largely controlled by the amount of external pressure of squeezing a user applied to the flexible container. The antimicrobial skin-preparation formula includes iodine, alcohol and gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aspiration device that includes an outer cannula 16, a stylet 14, and an aspiration needle 80. The aspiration needle includes hollow cannula 82 and an aperture 93. The outer cannula 16 defines a distal tip 29 that is tapered to provide a distal cutting edge. The stylet 14 is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. The stylet 14 also defines a sharp distal tip 30. The hollow cannula 82 designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. A distal end 91 of the hollow cannula 82 is closed and an aperture 93 is defined in a side of the hollow cannula 82.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a solid pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a carrier and, as active ingredient, a compound which exists, in solution, in an equilibrium between a free acid or free base form and a salt form, and for which there is a difference in volatility between the free acid or free base form and the salt form. The process includes the steps of solidifying a mixture of the compound and carrier in a solvent, and subsequently removing the solvent from the solidified mixture. A pH modifier is added to the mixture prior to solidification to shift the equilibrium to favor the less volatile form of the active ingredient.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an oral solid, rapidly disintegrating, freeze-dried dosage form containing coarse particles of a pharmaceutically active material which are uncoated or coated with a polymer or lipid material. Preferably, the oral dosage form comprises coarse particles having a size in the range of 50 micron to 400 micron. The oral solid rapidly disintegrating dosage form according to the present invention preferably disintegrates in the oral cavity in less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition for disinfection of a skin surface in preparation for surgery. The antimicrobial composition comprises parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX) and an anionic surfactant composition which exhibits both a high degree of antimicrobial efficacy and low skin irritability properties. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an anionic surfactant composition comprising a surfactant having a hydrophobic portion consisting of a linear alkyl and a hydrophilic portion having ethoxylation termination with a sulfonate anionic group, and a sarcosine surfactant. A preferred surfactant composition further comprises a foaming anionic surfactant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. The antimicrobial composition can be used in skin disinfecting formulations, such as scrub formulations and pre-operative skin disinfecting formulations. In one embodiment, the composition comprises about 3.3% parachlorometaxylenol.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a vitamin composition encapsulated in a soft or hard shell capsule, said vitamin composition comprising water soluble vitamin particles suspended in a fill liquid, wherein said water soluble vitamin particles are coated with a material that is substantially insoluble in the fill liquid and the shell of the capsule, but soluble in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal, and the coated water soluble vitamin particles are of a size that are suitable for encapsulating as a suspension in said capsule. The invention also includes a process for manufacturing the same. Vitamin containing capsules according to this invention are discoloration-resistant.

Abstract: Powder-free natural rubber and synthetic elastomer gloves having an inner coating of a cross-linked polyurethane impregnated with silicone and their method of manufacture are described. The gloves exhibit good grippability, good donnability as measured by their wet and dry coefficient of friction, tensile strength, elongation to break and stress at 500% modulus.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration consisting essentially of a gelatin at a concentration up to 5% by weight as a carrier, a solvent, and, as an active ingredient, a dopamine agonist. Alternatively, the invention relates to a composition that takes the form of a solid, unitary fast-dispersing dosage form comprised of a network of an active ingredient after and a water-soluble or water dispersible matrix forming agent or carrier which is inert towards the active ingredient after subliming solvent from the composition in the solid state. The dosage is designed to completely disintegrate within 1 to 30 seconds of being placed in the oral cavity. Compositions which further comprise an anti-emetic and/or an opioid antagonist are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a sustained release drug delivery system which comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating, a second coating of active ingredient and lastly a readily gastric-soluble protective coating. In another embodiment, the sustained release drug delivery system comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating; a second coating of active ingredient; a second enteric coating and a third coating of active ingredient The sustained release dosage form of this invention is useful for pharmaceutically active ingredients that have limited aqueous solubility, especially phenytoin sodium, and other pH dependent soluble drugs.

Abstract: This invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration comprising a carrier and, as active ingredient, an ophthalmologically active compound, characterized in that the composition is formulated to promote pre-gastric absorption of the ophthalmologically active compound. A process for preparing such compositions and the use of such compositions for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, particularly diseases caused by elevated intro-ocular pressure, such as ocular hypertension and glaucoma, are also provided.

Abstract: A device for delivering a substance such as a surgical sealant or adhesive to an internal portion of the body that has been acted on by a procedure performing instrument such as a catheter, trocar, laparoscopic instrument or a biopsy device is described. The invention more particularly relates to a biopsy device for obtaining one or more tissue samples and for applying at least one substance to the biopsy site in one operation.

Abstract: A large volume medical fluid vacuum collection canister includes a blow molded canister body defining a medical fluid receiving cavity. The canister body includes a pair of opposed upstanding sidewalls interconnected by a pair of opposed upstanding end walls a top wall with an opening and an opposed bottom wall. Each sidewall includes at least one reentrant beam portion extending inwardly from opposed sidewall surfaces into a central region of the medical fluid receiving cavity. The reentrant beams from opposing sidewalls are disposed in registering alignment so that there internal end faces abut in face to face relationship. The collection canister also includes a plurality of bellows recesses defined in the bottom wall and each of the opposed upstanding end walls. Each bellows recess extends the entire width of the bottom wall or end wall and further extends in a wrap around manner from the end wall or bottom wall portions to an intermediate point defined in the adjacent opposed sidewalls.

Abstract: An absorbent ice bag (10) made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an absorbent pad (12) operatively associated with an ice bag (15). The junction of the absorbent pad (12) and the ice bag (15) defines an unobstructed perimeter area that is an area of the absorbent pad (12) that extends beyond the ice bag (15). The unobstructed perimeter area provides an area of improved absorption and allows the side-by-side simultaneous placement of the ice bag (15) and the absorbent pad (12) on wound site. The ice bag (15) may contain ice (14), or other suitable phase change material.

Abstract: A cold pack 10 made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a container 18. Disposed within the container 18 is a first endotherm-producing chemical 15. Also disposed within the container 18 is a solvent packet 13 and a chemical packet 11. Second endotherm-producing chemical 43 is disposed in the chemical packet 11. First endotherm-producing chemical 15, the solvent packet 13 and the chemical packet 11 are collectively components of the cold pack. Preferably the container 18 is sealed so as to surround and encase the components of the cold pack 10. The first endotherm-producing chemical 15 and the second endotherm-producing chemical 43 are selected to be different. Both the first endotherm-producing chemical 15 and the second endotherm-producing chemical 43 may be selected from among those compounds with a positive enthalpy of solution (&Dgr;sol/H°, kJ/mol) and which produce a reduced temperature of solution that is greater than 10° F.

Abstract: An spinal column support device for stabilizing and repairing problems associated with the material located between vertebra located in the cervical area of the spinal column. The support device has a hollow isosceles trapezoidal right prism-shaped skeletal frame with two load bearing surfaces. Each load bearing surface includes serrations. The support device also includes a cervical plate having two screw holes. The support devices is inserted between two vertebrae located in the cervical area of the spine wherein each vertebrae rests on a load bearing surface. The serrations keep the support device from backing out, while screws in the screw holes of the cervical plate help hold the cervical plate in position.

Abstract: A water-resistant, film-forming topical antimicrobial composition, removable by high pH solution, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a polyvinyl lactam, a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, a copolymer of polyacrylate/polyoctylacrylamide, a pH sensitive acrylic polymer, and an alcohol. Preferably, the polyvinyl lactam is polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The preferred broad spectrum antimicrobial agent is iodine which is preferably complexed to the polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A process for making the film-forming topical antimicrobial composition is also provided.