Abstract: Method and therapeutic system in the form of a bandage that administer scopolamine base transdermally in an initial pulse of 10 to 200 .mu.g/cm.sup.2 of skin that quickly brings the concentration of scopolamine in the plasma to a level at which emesis and nausea are inhibited without intolerable side effects, followed by a substantially constant dosage in the range of 0.3 to 15 .mu.g/hr that holds said level. The bandage is a four-layer laminate of, from the top: a protective backing; a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-scopolamine reservoir lamina that is the source of the constant dosage; a microporous membrane that controls the constant dosage rate; and a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-scopolamine adhesive layer that is the source of the pulse dose and the means by which the bandage is attached to the skin.

Abstract: This invention concerns polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical and Het is a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic system having a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur hetero atom. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture and as coating for delivering beneficial agents such as fertilizers.

Abstract: An osmotic therapeutic system for delivering a drug is disclosed. The system comprises a drug delivery module which module comprises a rate controlling laminated wall surrounding a reservoir and has a portal for delivering drug from the system. The laminated wall comprises a semipermeable lamina in laminar arrangement with a microporous lamina to provide a wall that is permeable to an external fluid, impermeable to drug and maintains its integrity during the delivery of drug. The reservoir contains a drug, or a mixture of drug and a solute which drug or solute is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid.

Abstract: An adjustable, positive locking capo for use with stringed instruments such as banjos and guitars is disclosed. The capo comprises a frame (19) having a top arm (25) that bears against the strings when the capo is in operation and a side arm (26) that extends laterally of the instrument neck and carries a pivotally attached jaw member (22) that extends under the back of the instrument neck and engages same when the capo is in operation, and a pivotally attached lever member (23) located below the jaw member. An adjusting screw (24) extends through the lever member and bears against the underside of the jaw member when the lever member is pivoted toward the jaw member thereby closing the jaw member on the back of the neck and forcing the fingerboard against the top arm whereby the strings are depressed. The adjusting screw may be advanced or backed off to vary the extent to which the jaw member closes and thus, the pressure exerted on the strings.

Abstract: An intravaginal contraceptive system for the pre-programmed, unattended delivery of an antifertility steroid is disclosed. The system comprises (a) an antifertility steroid, (b) a delivery module comprising a reservoir for storing the steroid in an amount for execution of the program, a rate controller which maintains the rate of steroid delivered in a contraceptive effective amount throughout the life of the system, an energy source for transferring steroid from the reservoir to the vagina, and a portal for releasing the steroid from the module to the vagina, (c) a platform which integrates the module into a unit sized, shaped and adapted for insertion and retention in a vagina, and (d) a contraceptive program which provides for the controlled release of steroid to produce an antifertility effect over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A process for fixing a natural tissue heart valve whereby the valve has improved hydraulic performance is disclosed. The valve is first placed in glutaraldehyde with the valve cusps kept in the closed position by applying hydraulic pressure to the ventricular side of the valve. The valve is then trimmed and fitted to and sutured into a fabric covered plastic stent. An expandable tube is then placed axially within the valve and expanded to force the valve cusps into an open position. The expanded tube-valve-stent assembly is then placed in glutaraldehyde to further fix the valve and predispose the valve cusps to an open position.

Abstract: This invention concerns polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical and Het is a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic system having a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur hetero atom. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture and as coating for delivering beneficial agents.

Abstract: A patient-care apparatus housing a device for controlling the presence of pathogens is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container with an inlet port and a device in the apparatus for controlling the presence of pathogens.

Abstract: A self-powered cervical dilator is disclosed. The dilator comprises (1) an expandable housing positioned around (2) a swellable laminate, which laminate surrounds (3) a support member. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina formed of a swellable polymer facing the housing. In operation, when the dilator is in the cervical canal, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the dilator causing the laminate to swell and apply pressure against and expand the housing, which housing correspondingly exerts force against the walls of the cervical canal thereby dilating the canal.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed. The system is useful for the preprogrammed, unattended delivery of at least one beneficial agent to a pre-selected environment of use.

Abstract: A patient-care apparatus housing a device for controlling the presence of pathogens is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container with an inlet port and a device in the apparatus for controlling the presence of pathogens.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for delivering an agent to an environment of use at a substantially constant rate over time. The device comprises a wall formed of a microporous material surrounding a compartment housing the agent and a thermodynamic member. The member comprises a film formed of an expandable, semipermeable material surrounding a means for expanding the member. The member can occupy any space-position in the compartment, and it also can be in contact with the wall.

Abstract: A self-powered device for dispensing a medicament is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a rigid housing defining an internal space, (2) a container in the housing formed of a stretched polymer and having a passage-way connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a medicament in the container, and (4) and expandable laminate surrounding the container positioned between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina of a swellable, hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological fluid environment, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the housing, causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby shrinking the container to an unstretched state, which decreases its volume and concomitantly pumps medicament through the passageway at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for delivering an active agent to a fluid environment of use. The system comprises a microporous reservoir, an active agent housed in the reservoir, a surface that defines an exposed area of the reservoir for releasing agent from the reservoir to the environment, and a wall impermeable to both fluid and agent that surrounds the remaining, unexposed surfaces of the reservoir. In operation, when the system is in the environment with the exposed surface presented to fluid, fluid enters the system through the exposed surface causing agent to diffuse from within the system, which agent is released from the exposed surface of the system to the environment at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: An intravaginal contraceptive system for the pre-programmed, unattended delivery of an antifertility steroid is disclosed. The system comprises (a) an antifertility steroid, (b) a delivery module comprising a reservoir for storing the steroid in an amount for execution of the program, a rate controller which maintains the rate of steroid delivered in a contraceptive effective amount throughout the life of the system, an energy source for transferring steroid from the reservoir to the vagina, and a portal for releasing the steroid from the module to the vagina, (c) a platform which integrates the module into a unit sized, shaped and adapted for insertion and retention in a vagina, and (d) a contraceptive program which provides for the controlled release of steroid to produce an antifertility effect over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An osmotic device is disclosed for dispensing a drug. The device comprises an exterior wall surrounding a first and second compartment. The first compartment is in contact with the exterior wall and the second compartment is surrounded by an interior wall that is in contact with the exterior wall. A passageway exists through the exterior wall connecting the first compartment with the exterior of the device, and a passageway exists through the interior wall connecting the second with the first compartment. The first compartment contains an osmotic solute that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against an external fluid, and the second compartment contains a drug that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid. The exterior and the interior walls are permeable to the passage of the fluid, and they are impermeable to the passage of solute and drug, but the rate of fluid, permeability is greater through the exterior than through the interior wall.

Abstract: A self-powered device for delivering drug is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a substantially rigid housing, (2) a collapsible container storing a drug and having a passageway for delivering the drug in the housing, and (3) an expandable laminate positioned between the housing and the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina placed adjacent to the container and formed of a swellable hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological environment, fluid from the environment is imbibed by the laminate into the housing causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby collapsing the container and concomitantly pumping drug through the passageway from the device at a correspondingly controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the wall for delivering agent from the compartment. The wall is formed of a material permeable to the passage of an external fluid and impermeable to the passage of agent. The compartment contains (1) an agent that is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or (2) the compartment contains an agent having limited solubility in the fluid and exhibits a limited osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid. The compartment also contains along with (1) or (2) a volume amplifier for increasing the amount of agent delivered from the system. The amplifier comprises a membrane surrounding a gas generating couple with the membrane formed of an expandable material permeable to fluid and impermeable to the couple.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying and delivering an useful agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) a flexible container in the housing and having a passageway for connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a useful agent in the container, and (4) a gas generating means located between the housing and the container. In operation, when the device is in a fluid environment, fluid is admitted into the device and contacts the means, causing it to produce a gas that exerts pressure against the container. The pressure urges the container to decrease its dimensions and correspondingly deliver agent through the passageway from the device. Also, article of manufactures are enclosed, which articles consists of a gas generating means between two different polymeric films, and a gas generating means housed in a polymeric matrix.