Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall that surrounds a bilayer core with exit passageway for communicating with the bilayer core in the wall.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds a lumen, said wall comprising a composition that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a composition that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The lumen comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable member. The delivery system comprises an exit means for delivering the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a beneficial agent, such as an antiinflammatory agent, to the site of a painful condition in the oral cavity of a human being that utilizes an oral dosage form having an immediately releasable topical anesthetic and a sustained release beneficial agent. The topical anesthetic is released substantially independently of the beneficial agent to provide immediate pain relief and the application of the beneficial agent is continued over a long period of time.

Abstract: Optically active naphthyl alpha-substituted alkyl ketones, are a class of ketones useful as intermediates in the production of optically active alpha-naphthylalkanoic acids which exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for defining a small interrogation volume in a liquid sample suspected of containing an analyte. The apparatus and method utilize a dual optical fiber probe constructed with the ends of the optical fibers at the liquid-fiber interface spatially oriented such that the intersection of their longitudinal axes forms an included angle ranging from about 40.degree. to 140.degree.. By appropriate choice of the numerical aperture and core diameter of the optical fibers and the separation distance between the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers at the liquid-fiber interface, a finite interrogation volume of predetermined size and independent of the total liquid sample volume can be defined. The apparatus and method substantially reduce background interference with corresponding increase in assay sensitivity.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel, delayed/sustained release devices and compositions, including methods of their manufacture and use. The compositions include macromolecules, particularly polypeptide pharmaceuticals, and an initially partially-hydrated, non-biodegradable, hydrogel rate-limiting membrane.

Abstract: A device for collecting biological material is disclosed. The device comprises a shaft with a loop-like collection structure at one end. The collection structure provides a non-cutting, scraping edge to allow collection of the material without cutting. In a preferred embodiment, the collection means retains the material by diverting it into the interior portion of the collection means. The biological material is released from the device by rotation of the shaft or by elution in an appropriate solvent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for defining a small interrogation volume in a liquid sample suspected of containing an analyte. The apparatus and method utilize a dual optical fiber probe constructed with the ends of the optical fibers at the liquid/fiber interface spatially oriented such that the intersection of their longitudinal axes forms an included angle ranging from about 40.degree. to 140.degree.. By appropriate choice of the numerical aperture and core diameter of the optical fibers and the separation distance between the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers at the liquid/fiber interface, a finite interrogation volume of predetermined size and independent of the total liquid sample volume can be defined. The apparatus and method substantially reduce background interference with corresponding increase in assay sensitivity.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically useful optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids or esters, ortho esters, or amides thereof are stereoselectively prepared by contacting an aryl magnesium Grignard reagent with an optically active .alpha.-substituted acyl halide to form the optically active aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone, which is ketalized and rearranged to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid or the corresponding ester, ortho ester or amide. In an alternate embodiment, the aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone is reduced to the corresponding alkanol, which is rearranged to the .alpha.-arylalkanal. The alkanal so produced is converted to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid by conventional methods.

Abstract: An assembly is described for accurately and precisely controlling the position of a plunger in a syringe to deliver precise fluid volumes. The assembly includes a motor coupled to a lead screw that drives a bearing block along a linear guide rod to move the plunger of the syringe in a linear fashion. The position of the plunger is accurately controlled by attaching a digital encoder to the rotating motor shaft. The encoder and associated electronics output to a controlling processor that generates a series of regular pulses, typically 300 to 500 responsive to each motor revolution. Utilizing appropriate gear ratios of the motor and the lead screw, the number of pulses per full syringe stroke in typical applications can be on the order of one hundred thousand. The final position and the motion of the plunger (velocity and acceleration) can be controlled to within a few encoder pulses, thus precisely controlling the rate of delivery of the fluid and the volume of the fluid actually delivered by the syringe.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically useful optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids or esters, ortho esters, or amides thereof are stereoselectively prepared by contacting an aryl magnesium Grignard reagent with an optically active .alpha.-substituted acyl halide to form the optically active aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone, which is ketalized and rearranged to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid or the corresponding ester, ortho ester or amide. In an alternate embodiment, the aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone is reduced to the corresponding alkanol, which is rearranged to the .alpha.-arylalkanal. The alkanal so produced is converted to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid by conventional methods.

Abstract: This invention concerns a new process of preparing optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids and their precursors. These .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids, esters, amides, nitriles, oxazolines and metal salts are stereoselectively prepared by forming the metal or metal halide of the corresponding acid, ester, amide, oxazoline, nitrile, or metal salt and treating the compound so prepared with an aryl halide in the presence of a chiral (optically active) transition metal catalyst of the formula (LL*)QZT wherein Q is a transition metal selected from palladium and nickel; Z and T are independently halogen; and LL* is a chiral tertiary diphosphine compound capable of acting as a bidentate ligand with Q to form a 5-membered ring, optionally in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent or mixtures thereof, for a time sufficient to form the corresponding optically active .alpha.

Abstract: Solutions of choline base, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide, in water and/or lower alkanols may be stabilized by the addition of a stabilizing concentration of formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde. The stabilized solutions may be used as cleaning solutions, etchants for semiconductors and metal layers, and developers and strippers for positive working photoresists, and for other uses where a metal ion-free base is desired.

Abstract: A fluid handling system is described wherein a small fluid volume is placed on a reversibly-deformable support, which can be deformed to form a cavity. As the fluid clings to the surface of the support, it is physically agitated and mixed as the support is deformed. The deformable support can be utilized to provide fluid containers of varying sizes, to accommodate different fluid volumes and as a transport mechanism to move fluid from one location to another.

Abstract: .alpha.-Arylalkanoic acids or esters, orthoesters or amides thereof are prepared by forming an .alpha.-hydroxy ketal or thioketal of an aryl alkyl ketone, activating the .alpha.-hydroxy substituent with an esterifying agent to form the corresponding ketal or thioketal ester substrate, wherein the ester group is sufficiently labile to non-catalytically disassociate from the substrate in a protic or dipolar, aprotic solvent, maintaining the ester substrate in contact with the protic or dipolar, aprotic solvent or mixtures thereof for a time sufficient to form the corresponding .alpha.-arylakanoic acid or ester, orthoester or amide thereof, and optionally concomitantly or sequentially hydrolyzing any ester, orthoester or amide formed to the corresponding .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid.

Abstract: A compact, prefilled, ready-to-use, applicator for dispensing a medicament within a body cavity has a reservoir, an automatically-opening closure member and a telescoping plunger assembly. A closure member is disclosed, adapted to open responsive to the pressure of a medicament being dispensed, without disengaging from the reservoir in which the medicament is contained. A telescoping plunger assembly is disclosed, having impeller means disposed within the reservoir opposite the cap member and engaging means to lock the assembly in an extended position for urging the impeller means through the reservoir.

Abstract: A dental tool for generating a relatively smooth surface on tooth enamel comprises an elongated shank with an operative end and an end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece. Any cross-section of the operative end perpendicular to the shank's longitudinal axis is circular with a diameter of less than 0.140 inch. Adjacent, continuous annular grooves extend around the operative end, each groove being defined by a pair of inwardly sloping side surfaces intersecting with each other at least about 0.010 inch from the shank's longitudinal axis and forming an included angle of 60.degree. to 150.degree. between the side surfaces. An abrasive material, such as diamond grit, having a particle size of less than 0.006 inch covers at least a portion of each surface.

Abstract: A swivel connector for an illuminated dental handpiece, such as a high speed or low speed handpiece or scaler, etc., permits easy rotatability and disconnectability and has good light transmission, due to the gap in the light path at the swivel being filled with water, and the use of a "nested" spring clip and bearing race minimizing friction and size.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically useful optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids or esters, ortho esters, or amides thereof are stereoselectively prepared by contacting an aryl magnesium Grignard reagent with an optically active .alpha.-substituted acyl halide to form the optically active aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone, which is ketalized and rearranged to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid or the corresponding ester, ortho ester or amide. In an alternate embodiment, the aryl .alpha.-substituted alkyl ketone is reduced to the corresponding alkanol, which is rearranged to the .alpha.-arylalkanal. The alkanal so produced is converted to the desired optically active .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid by conventional methods.

Abstract: A vibratory endodontic device is described for mechanical preparation of dental radicular canals, i.e., root canals, prior to their obturation. The device includes a housing, a vibratory drive means supported within the housing to minimize the transfer of vibration to the housing, an endodontic file connected to the drive means for vibratory movement and stop means operatively connected to the housing and substantially isolated from the mechanical vibrations created by the vibratory drive means. Additionally, fluid transport means are provided for maintaining a controllable or a continuous flow of irrigation fluid along the endodontic file. Various assemblies for retaining the endodontic files and the stop means at the operative end of the vibrating device are also described.