Abstract: A process for the enantioselective enzymatic reduction of compounds which comprise a steroid structure (ABCD) including one or several heteroatoms, one or several double bonds and/or one aromatic component in the ring structure and have at least one oxo group at position 3, 7, 11, 12 or 17 in the steroid ring system or in the ?-position at any carbon moiety on the steroid skeleton (=oxosteroid compound), wherein the oxosteroid compound is reduced with a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the presence of a cofactor NADH or NADPH, is characterized in that a) the oxosteroid compound is provided in the reaction at a concentration of ?50 g/l, b) the oxidized cofactor NAD or NADP formed by the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is regenerated continuously by oxidation of a secondary alcohol of general formula RXRYCHOH, wherein RX, RY independently represent hydrogen, a branched or unbranched C1-C8-alkyl and Ctotal?3, or by oxidation of a C4-C6-cycloalkanol, and c) an additional oxidoreductase/alcohol dehydrogenase is u

Abstract: In a process for the enantioselective enzymatic reduction of a hydroxy ketone of general formula I wherein R1=C1-C6alkyl and R2=—Cl, —CN, —OH, —H or C1-C6 alkyl, into a chiral diol of general formula II wherein R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula I, the hydroxy ketone is reduced with an oxidoreductase in the presence of NADH or NADPH as a cofactor, wherein a) the hydroxy ketone is provided in the reaction at a concentration of ?50 g/l, b) the oxidized cofactor NAD or NADP having formed is regenerated continuously by oxidation of a secondary alcohol of general formula RXRYCHOH, wherein RX, RY independently represent hydrogen, branched or unbranched C1-C8-alkyl and Ctotal?3, and c) the reduction of the hydroxy ketone and the oxidation of the secondary alcohol are catalyzed by the same oxidoreductase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a NADH-dependent oxidoreductase obtained from yeasts, for example, of the genus Pichia, more particularly from Pichia capsulata. The oxidoreductace used in an enzymatic process for enantioselective reduction of organic ketocompounds to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy compounds and in an enzymnatic process for an antioselective preparation of (S)-hydroxy compounds in a two phase system using the isolated, recombinantly overexpressed oxidoreductacse from Pichia capsulata.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an enantiopure alcohol of general formula (Ia) or (Ib), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each represent hydrogen, halogen, a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 alkoxy group, with the proviso that at least one of the groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is different from the remaining five groups and with the additional proviso that at least one of the groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is a halogen. The invention is characterized in that a ketone of general formula (II), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined as above, is enzymatically reduced in the presence of an S-specific or R-specific dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase using NADH or NADPH as the cofactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enantioselective enzymatic reduction of keto compounds which is carried out in two phases and uses 4-methyl-2-pentanol, 5-methyl-2-hexanol and/or 2-heptanol for coenzyme regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enantioselective enzymatic reduction of keto compounds, in particular of 4-halo-3-oxobutyric acid esters, to the corresponding R-alcohols or S-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid esters, respectively, using an R-specific oxidoreductase in the presence of a cofactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-butanol by enzymatic-catalyzed reduction of 2-butanone with a carbonyl reductase and a coenzyme and is characterized in that an aqueous phase, which contains the carbonyl reductase and the coenzyme, is contacted with an alcoholic phase, which is not miscible with the aqueous phase and contains 2-butanone, in order to reduce the 2-butanone, with the proviso that the alcohol present in the alcoholic phase is a secondary alcohol capable of regenerating the coenzyme and exhibiting a boiling point which lies above that of water, whereupon the 2-butanol formed is separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-butanol by enzymatic-catalyzed reduction of 2-butanone with a carbonyl reductase and a coenzyme and is characterized in that an aqueous phase, which contains the carbonyl reductase and the coenzyme, is contacted with an alcoholic phase, which is not miscible with the aqueous phase and contains 2-butanone, in order to reduce the 2-butanone, with the proviso that the alcohol present in the alcoholic phase is a secondary alcohol capable of regenerating the coenzyme and exhibiting a boiling point which lies above that of water, whereupon the 2-butanol formed is separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a NADH-dependent oxidoreductase obtained from yeasts, for example, of the genus Pichia, more particularly from Pichia capsulata. The oxidoreductace used in an enzymatic process for enantioselective reduction of organic ketocompounds to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy compounds and in an enzymnatic process for anantioselective preparation of (S)-hydroxy compounds in a two phase system using the isolated, recombinantly overexpressed oxidoreductacse from Pichia capsulata.

Abstract: A breath acutated dry powder inhaler having a housing, a source of pressurized air, transfer valve which allows the release of pressurized air so as to act upon at least one dose of medicament whereupon when a user inhales through a mouthpiece it causes the transfer valve to release the pressurized air which causes the dose to be discharged through the mouthpiece to the user.

Abstract: A device for dispensing medication in an aerosol form from an MDI which is activated by a source of compressed air which is pressurized by a compression piston in associate with a cocking lever which also acts as a mouthpiece cover wherein the device automatically discharges the medication upon inhalation on the mouthpiece. The device also has a detachable component for alternative use as a press and breathe type inhaler.

Abstract: The metering valve which includes a material reservoir formed generally above a load bearing bottom hollow, with a toroidal gas chamber formed thereabout. Both the gas chamber and the material reservoir include metering spindles which allow the material to be dispensed and gas to be mixed precisely in a mixing chamber, and dispensed through an orifice.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler having a housing, at least one single dose storage chamber able to contain a single unit dose, a discharge path adjacent the storage chamber, and a flexible and bendable seal plate closing the discharge path. When an air flow under pressure is applied to the top of the dose, the top seal is broken and the dose is driven against the seal plate which deflects away, allowing the powder of the dose to be driven into and along the discharge path. The air flow causes the seal plate (in the discharge path) to vibrate, which acts to break up the dose into particles of preferred size, as the dose is carried along with the air flow and delivered to a patient.

Abstract: A spacer used with aerosol inhalers designed to lower plume force to comfortable levels and to be compact in size in order to conveniently fit in a pocket or purse as part of a drug delivery/actuator system with the geometry and material of the spacer have been selected to provide easy attachment to inhalers, to minimize drug retention, and to provide efficient dose delivery.

Abstract: An inhalation activated device or dispenser is disclosed. In particular, the dispenser comprises a housing for containing an aerosol canister containing a medication wherein the canister is moveably contained in the housing upon inhalation by the patient whereby a metered dose of a spray is initiated and a controlled period of time is established by a dwell means.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a method employing real-time imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging in order to investigate the effect of air way structures or administration and respiratory drugs when administered by oral inhalation. The information obtained from the practice of this method yields the criteria that can be used, among other things, to design more efficient aerosol drug delivery systems which optimize the amount of medicine delivered to the lung.

Abstract: A light, self-contained, hand held, ultrasonic surgical scalpel having a housing, an ultrasonic power source within the housing, to which ultrasonic vibrations are provided to a blade to which result in cutting features by lateral motion as well as by reciprocating motion imparted to the blades with said cutting action being adjustable.

Abstract: A pressure swirl atomizer for providing a low-plume aerosolized spray of liquids, solutions or other suspension which includes a swirl chamber which create shear forces which causes the spray to aerosolize.

Abstract: A device for dispensing medication in an aerosol form from an MDI. The device is pre-loaded so as to automatically discharge the medication upon inhalation on the mouthpiece.