Abstract: A consumer food testing device for testing for the presence of harmful contaminants in a food sample, includes a system for producing a visual cue upon detection of a harmful chemical, biological, and/or ionizing radiation contaminant; and a processing system responsive to the detection of a harmful contaminant, for transmitting the global position of the consumer testing device, the identity of the harmful contaminant, and the time and date to a remote monitoring facility.

Abstract: A food testing device for testing for the presence of harmful contaminants in a food sample, includes a vessel adapted for holding a liquefied food sample, a liquefier operatively associated with the vessel for converting an unliquefied food sample into a liquefied food sample, at least one test assay dispensable from the device, wherein the test assay includes at least one assay reagent having an affinity for at least one harmful contaminant, and capable of both detecting the presence of the harmful contaminant in the liquefied food sample, and producing a visual cue upon recognition of the harmful contaminant; and a radiation detector disposed proximately to the vessel for indicating the presence of ionizing radiation in the food sample at amounts exceeding normal background levels to detect the presence of a radioactive agent as the harmful contaminant.

Abstract: A method and system for permitting a government agency or a medical research Institution to retain an independent Audit Agency to periodically audit a clinical trial testing the effect of experimental drugs on patients, being conducted by the Institution, to insure the audit conducted is in compliance with the privacy requirements of HIPAA. Prior to the audit, the Institution assembles individual electronic patient records relative to the clinical trial into an XML file in a discrete database, wherein each patient record has all personal information deleted, and such record is identified by a unique number or code assigned by the Institution. In turn, remote from the Institution, the Audit Agency transforms an appropriate search and indexing engine by adding to it libraries of text names, and synonyms, and constructs application programs containing the associated Protocol requirements and rules. The Audit Agency sends the transformed Search Engine to the Institution via the Internet or on CD's.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery patch has an excipient matrix containing an agonist for administration across the skin of a user, with the matrix further containing a plurality of spaced apart hollow cilia filled with an antagonist, whereby if an abuser attempts to physically remove the agonist the cilia will break releasing the antagonist, or if the abuser attempts to use a solvent to remove the agonist the cilia will dissolve releasing the antagonist, thereby blocking the effect the abuser is attempting to attain by concentrating the agonist for oral ingestion or by hypodermic needle injection.

Abstract: A food testing device for testing for the presence of harmful contaminants in a food sample, includes a vessel adapted for holding a liquefied food sample, a liquefier operatively associated with the vessel for converting an unliquefied food sample into a liquefied food sample, at least one test assay dispensable from the device, wherein the test assay includes at least one assay reagent having an affinity for at least one harmful contaminant, and capable of both detecting the presence of the harmful contaminant in the liquefied food sample, and producing a visual cue upon recognition of the harmful contaminant; and a radiation detector disposed proximately to the vessel for indicating the presence of ionizing radiation in the food sample at amounts exceeding normal background levels to detect the presence of a radioactive agent as the harmful contaminant.

Abstract: In a transdermal drug delivery system, encapsulation material used to coat drug granules controls the release of an active ingredient. The active ingredient is released into a water retaining matrix, which acts as a reservoir, and transdermal drug penetration is driven by the resulting concentration gradient. The delivery system is enclosed in a patch comprising a composite shell, which acts as an occlusive covering when attached to skin, thus enhancing the hydration of the skin area and fostering absorption of the drug. Visible change indicators incorporated into the system provide indicators at significant "landmarks" in the lifetime of the patch. Microcapsules used for the indicator may be formulated so that the penetration of moisture effects a color change at a time when the active ingredient is almost exhausted. This feature alerts to the user to the need for application of a replacement patch.

Abstract: In a transdermal drug delivery system, encapsulation material used to coat drug granules controls the release of an active ingredient. The active ingredient is released into a water retaining matrix, which acts as a reservoir, and transdermal drug penetration is driven by the resulting concentration gradient. The delivery system is enclosed in a patch comprising a composite shell, which acts as an occlusive covering when attached to skin, thus enhancing the hydration of the skin area and fostering absorption of the drug. Visible change indicators incorporated into the system provide indicators at significant "landmarks" in the lifetime of the patch. Microcapsules used for the indicator may be formulated so that the penetration of moisture effects a color change at a time when the active ingredient is almost exhausted. This feature alerts to the user to the need for application of a replacement patch.