Abstract: Methods, compounds, and medicinal formulations utilizing biocompatible polymers for delivery of a drug, particularly for solubilizing, stabilizing and/or providing sustained release of drug from topical, implantable, and inhalation systems. Many of the methods, compounds, and medicinal formulations are particularly suitable for oral and/or nasal inhalation and use polymers of the formula —[X—R1—C(O)]— wherein each R1 is an independently selected organic group that links the —X— group to the carbonyl group, and each X is independently oxygen, sulfur, or catenary nitrogen.

Abstract: A framed filter media comprising a filter media having a fluid inlet face and a fluid outlet face with peripheral sidewalls. The peripheral sidewalls are attached to a strip frame by an adhesive-potting compound. The continuous strip frame is formed into three or more (up to an infinite number if the sidewall sections(s) is formed into a circular filter frame) sidewall sections having a substantially flat sidewall and at least two projecting filter retaining tabs which form a channel on a first face of the sidewall section for containing the adhesive potting compound. The sidewall sections are separated by corner notches extending through the retaining tabs at least to the substantially flat sidewalls. Two terminal sidewall sections meet to form a seam such that the sidewall sections circumscribe the filter media peripheral sidewalls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical fastening element comprising a multiplicity of flexible hook elements emanating from a backing layer (1) and comprising stems (2) terminating in hook heads (3), said fastening element being releasably engageable with a complementary mechanical fastening element, the top portions of the hook heads (3) and/or at least part of the interstitial spaces (4) between the stems (2) of said fastening means being coated with a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive (5) so that the level of the adhesive in the interstitial spaces (4), where present, does not exceed the length of the stems (2), and so that essentially no adhesive bridges are present between adjacent hook heads (3), said hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive (5) having a viscosity as measured at the coating temperature of between 2,000 and 18,000 mPa-s.

Abstract: A method of converting a web of indefinite length into a plurality of web portions by slitting the web at a transverse point prior to processing the web portions into a plurality of use supply forms (such as rolls), wherein the plurality of web portions are separated by a two-stage process. A first stage of the process is a partial separation operation that almost entirely separates the web portions, but leaves the web portions connected, such as by a slitting operation that leaves a series of connected zones. The second stage includes the complete separation, such as by breaking of the connected zones. The complete separation of the web portions preferably occurs near the station at which the use supply forms are created, such as a winding station. Thus, the web portions, after substantial separation at the first stage can be handled (for example, guided and tensioned) as if the plurality of web portions were a full width web.

Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are isolated by adhering a target nucleic acid in a sample to a hydrophobic polymeric solid phase, and applying a nonionic surfactant to the solid phase to remove the target nucleic acid from the solid phase. The solid phase may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene, and be in the form of a porous matrix. Nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene surfactants and polyoxyethylene-co-oxypropylene surfactants. A buffer containing a salt that enhances binding of the nucleic acid to the solid phase may be added to the solid phase with or prior to the sample containing the nucleic acid. When the sample contains cells, the cells are lysed to release contents of the cells as a lysate containing nucleic acids. A kit is formed containing the solid phase and nonionic surfactant, and may also include a flow-through receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dust bag to be used primarily in vacuum cleaners, the dust bag having at least two opposing wall portions of filter material in an overlaying state and an intake opening for receiving a socket piece of a vacuum cleaner. The two opposing wall portions are connected to each other at one edge forming an outer edge of the dust bag. The wall portions each have recess open to the outer edge. The recesses (36a, 36b) are identical in their shape and size and opposed to each other in the overlaying state. The two recesses of the wall portions form the intake opening. Additionally, the intake opening can be surrounded by a mounting means for mounting the dust bag at a socket piece from which dust-like material is discharged. The mounting means includes at least two mounting elements each fixed to one of the two wall portions.

Abstract: Dye labeled imidazonaphthyridine, imidazopyridine and imidazoquinoline compounds having immune response modulating activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful, inter alia, for determining the binding and/or receptor sites of the molecules.

Abstract: The injection mold for insert-molding a synthetic material around the edge of a filter material comprising at least one particle filter layer and at least one active carbon layer of active carbon particles, is provided with a first mold half and a second mold half which comprise mutually confronting mold walls. In their assembled state, the two mold halves define a receiving space for the filter material, a molding space for accommodating the edge of the filter material and for forming the synthetic material to be arranged by insert molding around the edge of the filter material, with at least one injection channel entering the molding space, and a transition space arranged between the receiving space and the molding space for accommodating the edge portion of the filter material adjacent the edge of the filter material. The transition space is formed with a constricted portion for preventing the leakage of synthetic material from the molding space into the receiving space.

Abstract: A low trauma pressure-sensitive adhesive coated substrate comprising a sheet material, tape or laminate structure designed to adhere to skin or like surfaces. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of this adhesive coated substrate is a fibrous adhesive layer generally having a basis weight of from 5 to 200 g/m2 applied to a conformable backing or substrate. The fibrous adhesive layer has a textured outer face and persistent porosity between discrete adhesive fibers. Generally, the fibrous adhesive layer has a MVTR (measured by ASTM E 96-80 at 40° C.) of at least 1000 g/m2/day, preferably at least 6000 g/m2/day.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping a headed stem fasteners. The precursor web having a backing with a rear surface, a front surface, and a multiplicity of polymeric stems projecting distally from the front surface of the backing is fed into a variable nip between a heated member opposite a support surface. The support surface has a shape generally conforming to the contour of the heated member. The variable nip compressively engages the polymeric stems between the heated member and the support surface so that distal ends of the polymeric stems are deformed. The heated member can be a heated roll or a heated belt. The support surface may be a curved capping shoe or a belt shaped to create a particular nip profile.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener tape tab laminate comprising a tape tab backing having at least a first distal end portion, an inner tab portion and second distal end portion, the second distal end portion provided with a mechanical fastener material. The first distal end portion is provided with an adhesive layer for attachment to a disposable absorbent article. The tape tab backing further has a folded tape portion comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on an outer face and having at least an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion. The outer leg portion has an exposed adhesive provided for attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The inner and outer leg portions are separated by at least one fold. The folded tape portion backing has a line of weakness along the at least one fold. The line of weakness is provided on a portion of the tape tab backing spaced from the first distal end portion.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical gel formulations for topical drug delivery include drug, colloidal silicon dioxide, triacetin and, preferably, propylene glycol. The gel formulations are well suited for topical delivery of the drug 4-amino-2-ethoxymethyl-&agr;,&agr;-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-1-ethanol, which when applied topically induces cytokines, such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor, locally in the skin or mucous membranes of a mammal. The gel formulations are also well-suited for topical delivery of drugs for treatment of diseases involving skin and/or mucosal lesions because the gel formulations do not need to include irritating components.

Abstract: A medicinal aerosol formulation including 0.01-5% medicament, at least 50% by weight 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (134a), less than 5% surface active agent, and at least one compound having higher polarity than 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and which is free of chlorofluorocarbons and propellants CHClF2, CH2F2 and CF3CH3.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the filter cartridge comprises a mesh structure forming a generally annular cylinder comprising a center opening, a plurality of compartments containing a filter medium, and spaces between the compartments. The spaces between the compartments comprise substantially unimpeded airflow passages that permit airflow even when the filter medium is fully loaded.

Abstract: 1-substituted, 2-substituted 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amines are disclosed. These compounds function as antiviral agents, they induce biosynthesis of interferon, and they inhibit tumor formation in animal models. This invention also provides intermediates for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and pharmacological methods of using such compounds.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical solution aerosol formulations comprising beclomethasone 17,21 dipropionate, ethanol, and a propellant selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain sulfonamide or sulfonamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.