Abstract: An ocular insert for the continuous controlled administration of a predetermined therapeutically effective dosage of drug to the eye over a prolonged period of time. The device meters the flow of drug by means of a drug release rate controlling material. The insert bioerodes in the environment of the eye concurrently with the dispensing or at a point in time after the dispensing of the therapeutically desired amount of drug.

Abstract: An improvement in liquid dispensers, especially those used to infuse liquid drugs into patients from an expansible elastomeric bladder of specific geometry and elastomeric properties, is disclosed. The improvement is in making the bladder from an elastomeric composition whose stress relaxation does not exceed 10%, and whose low frequency hysteresis does not exceed 10%.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for administering a drug at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is comprised of a wall surrounding a reservoir containing a drug. The reservoir is formed of a drug carrier permeable to the passage of the drug and in which the drug has limited solubility. The wall is formed in at least a part of a drug release rate controlling material also permeable to the passage of the drug, but the rate of passage of the drug through the wall is lower than the rate passage of the drug through the drug carrier so that drug release by the wall is the drug release rate controlling step for releasing drug from the drug delivery device.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for administering drug locally to the uterus at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time is disclosed. The device contains a body of polymer capable of bioeroding in the environment of the uterus over a prolonged period of time. This body has the drug dispersed throughout so that as the body gradually bioerodes, it slowly releases the dispersed drug. In a preferred embodiment, the device releases a uterine contraction-inducing prostaglandin locally to the uterus at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Method for treating aqueous deficient dry eye by instilling a biologically compatible solute, such as sodium chloride, into the tear film continuously at a controlled rate that is sufficient to osmotically induce a continuous flow of water from the interstitial fluid to the tear film and thereby correct the aqueous deficiency. The method may be carried out by placing a therapeutic system, in the form of an ocular insert, into the cul-de-sac, the insert comprising the solute confined within a polymer matrix that releases the solute continuously at 3 to 20 micromoles of solute species per hour.

Abstract: An osmotically driven fluid dispenser that is capable of being miniaturized and used as an implant to administer fluid drug compositions to animals and humans. The dispenser comprises a flexible inner bag adapted to contain the drug composition, a fluid tight plug fitted into the bag opening, a port in the plug through which the composition may be charged to the bag, an intermediate layer of an osmotically effective solute composition partly covering the bag exterior such that a band of the bag exterior proximate to the plugged end is not covered by the layer, an outer shape-retaining semipermeable membrane covering the layer of solute and forming a fluid tight seal at said band, and a tube that fits snugly through the port in the plug and extends substantially into the interior of the bag after the drug composition is charged to the bag, said tube providing an outlet through which the drug composition may be dispensed.

Abstract: An ocular insert for the continuous controlled administration of a predetermined therapeutically effective dosage of drug to the eye over a prolonged period of time. The device meters the flow of drug by means of a drug release rate controlling material. The insert bioerodes in the environment of the eye concurrently with the dispensing or at a point in time after the dispensing of the therapeutically desired amount of drug.

Abstract: An anatomically configured stent for a tanned, expanded natural tissue heart valve and a valve prosthesis including the stent are disclosed. The stent comprises a frame whose interior configuration is the anatomical negative of the exterior configuration of a tanned, expanded, natural tissue valve and a fabric cover covering at least the exterior of the frame, the cover having a bead along its perimeter that provides a site for attachment of the valve to the stent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the burned surface of an animal by administering to said surface a contact composition comprising a hydrophobic, bioerodible polymer containing an agent selected from the group consisting of antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, proteolytic enzyme and mixtures thereof, which composition when placed in contact with the burned surface maintains homeostasis including prevention of tissue dehydration and thermal loss, and as the polymer bioerodes over time, releases agent to produce a continuous chemoprophylatic or chemotherapeutic effect.

Abstract: An ocular insert for the continuous controlled administration of a predetermined therapeutically effective dosage of drug to the eye over a prolonged period of time. The device meters the flow of drug by means of a drug release rate controlling material. The insert bioerodes in the environment of the eye concurrently with the dispensing or at a point in time after the dispensing of the therapeutically desired amount of drug.

Abstract: An osmotic device for delivering an active agent is disclosed. The device is comprised of a wall surrounding in at least a part, a reservoir containing agent. The wall is formed of a material permeable to an external fluid and impermeable to agent. The reservoir is formed of a microporous material permeable to agent and fluid, and having at least one micropore that is a passageway for release of agent. The agent is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against the fluid, or the agent has limited solubility in the fluid and is admixed with an osmotically effective compound soluble in fluid that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against fluid. In operation, agent is released by fluid permeating through the wall into the reservoir producing a solution of agent or a solution of compound containing agent, which solution in either instance is released through the micropore to the exterior of the device.

Abstract: A process for dispensing medicaments in aerosol form for inhalation therapy is disclosed. The process comprises: providing a hollow elongate housing having air inlet and air outlet passages; generating a positive pressure, air-stream between the inlet and outlet passages; rotationally releasing medicament from a container within the housing into the air-stream; and inserting the outlet passage into the oral or nasal cavity of the patient.

Abstract: An improved intrauterine device which delivers a predetermined therapeutically effective dosage of drug locally to the uterus over a defined period of time is disclosed. The device is initially of a uterine-retentive shape. The device is characterized by undergoing a structural biotransformation in the uterus such that at the completion of the defined period of drug delivery it has achieved a nonuterine-retentive configuration.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for administering a drug at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is comprised of a wall surrounding a reservoir containing a drug. The reservoir is formed of a drug carrier permeable to the passage of the drug and in which the drug has limited solubility. The wall is formed in at least a part of a drug release rate controlling material also permeable to the passage of the drug, but the rate of passage of the drug through the wall is lower than the rate passage of the drug through the drug carrier so that drug release by the wall is the drug release rate controlling step for releasing drug from the drug delivery device.

Abstract: A test implement and method for colorimetrically assaying the quantity of N-acetyl-.beta.-glucosaminidase in a female biological medium, such as saliva, which quantity is indicia of fertility or pregnancy. The implement is an absorbent material, such as paper strip, impregnated with a phenolic derivative of N-acetyl-.beta.-d-glucosamine that reacts in the presence of the glucosaminidase at an acid pH to form a phenol that has a distinct color at an alkaline pH, and a buffer that maintains said acid pH. The method may be carried out by wetting the implement with the medium, alowing the phenol to form, raising the pH to alkalinity by wetting the implement with an appropriate buffer solution, and comparing the color of the implement with a color standard.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for percutaneously administering a drug comprising a plurality of projections, a drug reservoir containing a drug, and where the projections extend from the reservoir and are adapted for penetrating the stratum corneum for percutaneously administering a drug from the reservoir to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect.

Abstract: Three improvements to a prior art bioptome are disclosed. The prior art bioptome comprises: tongs, an elongated flexible spiral wire catheter attached to the working end of one of the legs of the tongs; an elongated wire that is rotationally jointed to the working end of the other leg of the tongs and extends axially through the catheter; seals between the inner surface of the catheter and the wire at both ends of the catheter; a pair of hinged jaws one of which is fixed and attached to the end of the catheter and the other of which is movable and is attached to the end of the wire; and a heat-shrunk plastic sleeve about the catheter that sealls the radial exterior surface of the catheter and prevents the catheter from substantial axial expansion. The basic improvement is a heat-shrunk plastic inner sleeve about a segment of the catheter that together with the main sleeve forms a double sleeve about said segment, the inner sleeve having an end that is bias-cut.

Abstract: Ocular drug delivery device comprising a bioerodible body of polymeric material sized and shaped for insertion in either conjunctival cul-de-sac that have improved retention in the eye. The devices have a stiffness and resistivity to bending manifested by a centroidal unsupported bending angle of less than 40.degree., preferably less than 20.degree., during the drug dispensing lifetime of the device.

Abstract: An ocular drug dispensin device for administering a drug at a controlled and continuous dosage unit rate to the eye to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is comprised of a shaped body insoluble in tear fluid and comprised of a first wall, a third wall distant from the first wall, a second wall interposed between the first and third wall and extending around their peripheries for sealingly engaging the first and third wall, a reservoir defined by the inner surfaces of the walls and containing the drug or a mixture of the drug in a carrier and wherein at least one of the first and third walls is formed of an imperforate drug release rate controlling material permeable to the passage of drug or a microporous material containing in the micropores a drug release rate controlling medium permeable to the passage of drug for administering a therapeutically effective amount of drug over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An ocular insert for the continuous controlled administration of a predetermined therapeutically effective dosage of drug to the eye over a prolonged period of time. The device meters the flow of drug by means of a drug release rate controlling material. The insert bioerodes in the environment of the eye concurrently with the dispensing or at a point in time after the dispensing of the therapeutically desired amount of drug.