Abstract: The invention deals with microspheres which are useful in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The microspheres contain active agents and solubilizing agents which have been processed via liquiflash techniques.

Abstract: A remotely operable stent is disclosed which is radially expandable and contractable along the longitudinal length of the stent. Once the stent is positioned within a body lumen requiring radial support, an actuator and expansion/contraction element increase the radial dimension of the stent along the stent's longitudinal length to provide such support. The stent is remotely operable in vivo using a remote activation system such that the radial dimension of the stent can be changed without the need to re-enter the body lumen.

Abstract: A child resistant tablet package accommodates low density pharmaceutical tablets. The package includes a blister tray having a plurality of blister depressions which accommodate the low density porous pharmaceutical tablets. The blister tray further includes a frangible tray extent spaced adjacent to each blister depression. The frangible tray extent may be manually punctured through the surface of the blister tray. A planar lid is removably sealed over the blister tray and encloses the tablets within the blister depressions. The blister lid includes frangible cover extents overlying each of the frangible tray extents. The cover extents and the tray extents may be frangibly displaced so as to establish a graspable peel tab to facilitate peelable removal of portions of the cover from the overlying disposition with respect to the blister depressions so as to expose the tablets for dispensing.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous and quantitative, flow cytometric analysis of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC), white blood cells (WBC), damaged white blood cells and a white blood cell subclass differential (WBC/Diff) is provided.

Abstract: A spinner head is used for spinning and processing feedstock material. The spinner head includes spaced tubular heating elements which are covered by annular housing that forms a material processing wall. The annular housing contains radially spaced slots which provide a passage way for the material to be expelled from the spinner head. Each slot contains a flow restricting insert removably insertable therein. The inserts include radially extending grooves which channel the feedstock material as it exits the spinner head. The insert further include latches extending therefrom which secure the inserts in the spinner head upon rotation.

Abstract: A child resistant tablet package accommodates low density pharmaceutical tablets. The package includes a blister tray having a planar surface and a plurality of spaced apart open ended tablet accommodating first blister depressions formed therein. A plurality of entry facilitating second blister depressions are provided on the planar surface spaced adjacent each first blister depression. A planar lid is removably sealed over the planar surface of the blister tray and includes portions overlying disposed over the first and second blister depressions. The lid is puncturable through the plane of the lid at a location over the second blister depressions so as to facilitate removal of portions of the lid overlying the first blister depressions so as to expose the tablets for dispensing.

Abstract: Anti-ulcer compositions are disclosed having therapeutic agents dispersed in a soluble matrix formed by melt spinning the therapeutic agent with a carrier and hydrogel. Methods of treating mucosal ulcer-bearing tissue and preparing the matrix are also disclosed. One embodiment includes use of gastric irritating bio-affecting agents in which case the composition is preventative as well as therapeutic.

Abstract: Solid delivery systems for highly volatile flavor oils which include a stabilized, substantially non-volatile mixture of a highly volatile flavor oil or flavor component and a medium chain triglyceride are disclosed. The stabilized mixtures may be absorbed or adsorbed onto a non-fat solid substrate and incorporated into a saccharide based matrix and flash flow processed. The delivery systems may be added to chewing gum and confectionery products, as well as other pharmaceutical and comestible preparations.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a dosage unit for delivery of a controlled-release system. The dosage unit is a quick dissolve unit which can be prepared by mixing uncured shearform matrix and a controlled-release system, either molding or compacting a unit dosage form and curing the shearform matrix. The controlled-release systems used in the present invention include instantaneous release components, delayed release components, sustained release components, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and kit for positioning a transdermal drug delivery system useful in treating individuals having maladies requiring topical, subcutaneous, intra-lesional and systemic administration of one or more drugs for a prolonged period of time is disclosed. A method for employing the present invention kit allows a patient to accurately self-administer a prolonged treatment regimen including a transdermal delivery system without the substantial involvement of medical personnel.

Abstract: A porous aggregate having a high intraaggregate reticular volume for releasable containment of functional substances is described. The porous aggregates comprise discrete particles, preferably starch granules, bound together at least at their points of contact in the aggregates. The surfaces of the discrete particles cooperate to define an intraaggregate reticulate volume. The porous aggregate composition of this invention finds use as a high capacity carrier of functional substances for a wide variety of applications, in which the functional substance is released from the aggregate composition under the influence of mechanical compression/disintegration, by degradation or dissolution of the binder and/or particulate components, or by diffusion from the porous surface.

Abstract: An improved biological sample analyzer, and a method and system for operation thereof, wherein instrument systems used to perform assays of the biological samples loaded into the analyzer are operated in accordance with a schedule developed by a scheduler routine. The scheduler routine determines interval periods between operations performed by the analyzer instrument systems on each biological sample as a function of an entered load list unless a fixed interval period between the operations is required and schedules instrument system operations and the determined interval periods. The biological system analyzer performs assays of the biological samples by operating the analyzer instrument systems in accordance with the developed schedule.

Abstract: A method and a device for the simultaneous and quantitative, flow cytometric analysis of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) and white blood cells (WBC) in a whole blood sample.

Abstract: A multipurpose reagent system for rapid analysis of a whole blood sample allowing the determination of at least five classes of peripheral white blood cells, nucleated red blood cells, and lymphocyte immunophenotyping on automated hematology instrumentation. The multipurpose reagent system lyses red cells rapidly, while it concurrently fixes white cells and preserves surface antigens on lymphocytes. The multipurpose reagent system comprises from about 3 to 7 grams per liter of a non-quaternary ammonium salt, from about 0.04 to about 0.10 percent by volume of an aliphatic aldehyde with one to four carbons, from about 10 mM to about 20 mM of a non-phosphate buffer which is inert to the aliphatic aldehyde, and a sufficient amount of water to give a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 and an osmolality of between about 160 to about 310 mOsm per liter.

Abstract: A lytic agent is described which when mixed with whole blood, lyses the red cells instantly, but does not affect the optical, light scattering properties of the white blood cells for at least 30 seconds. This lytic agent enables the performance of a five part leukocyte differential by flow cytometry and light scattering. In its preferred embodiment, the lytic agent incorporates 2-phenoxyethanol which combines the functions of leukoprotective and antimicrobial, TRITON X-100 (octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol) a lytic and wetting agent and TRIS/HCl to provide pH buffering and to increase the solution's conductivity.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle counting system corrects for coincidence errors by generating at least a first subtractive correction factor for any channel by taking counts from only channels that are lower than the particular channel being corrected. Optionally a second additive correction factor may be generated based on counts in all channels. The correction factor (s) are then, respectively subtracted from, or added to, the individual channel counts to generate an approximation of the true channel by channel counts.

Abstract: A Raman label which, upon radiation, produces a detectable Raman scattering signal in a ligand-binding assay for an analyte in a test sample. A conjugate containing a Raman label attached to a specific binding member.

Abstract: A sample container holder is provided for gripping a sample container which contains a sample. The sample container holder comprises a body having a bore for receiving a sample container. A flexible element is disposed within the bore. A fluid passage is operatively connected with the flexible element for supplying a fluid to the flexible element such that, when the sample container is received in the bore in the body of the sample container holder, the flexible element engages the sample container with a conforming, cushioning compression of sufficient magnitude to resist removal of the container from the bore.

Abstract: A stabilized anoxic diagnostic reagent solution comprising an oxygen labile reagent, glucose oxidase, glucose, a hydrogen donor, sterile membrane fragments derived from bacteria having membranes containing an oxygen transfer system, and a reagent binding agent. The stabilized reagent has at least six months storage stability at 2.degree.-8.degree. C. and open vial stability of at least three weeks.

Abstract: A circuit measures the intensity of a monitored light beam by generating a signal which is of a specific time duration corresponding to light intensity. The circuit utilizes a photosensitive element for receiving the light and producing a variable control signal in direct correspondence to the light intensity. A capacitor network is placed in series with the photosensitive element, wherein the time duration for discharging the capacitor network is directly correlated to the intensity of the collected light.