Abstract: A syringe containing a high water content product and for use in a drug infusion system is provided. The syringe includes a plunger carrying front and rear o-rings made of a diene rubber compound such as chlorobutyl rubber or bromobutyl rubber to impart very low gas permeability characteristics to the o-rings. The plunger may be molded as a single part or in two parts. If molded as one part with radially-engaging mold portions, the seal glands in the plunger may include parting lines from the mold. If molded as two parts with axially-engaging mold portions, the front seal gland may include a sealing surface and under cut that has no parting line. The o-rings may be surface treated with a lubricant to improve sealing where the molding process gives rise to parting lines in the seal glands.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a any of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory modules, at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steroid hormone products, such as oral contraceptive products, including at least one steroid active ingredient mixed with an excipient and having improved dissolution and release rate properties. The invention further relates to methods for making such steroid hormone products, wherein a mixture of the hormone and the excipient is subjected to sufficient mechanical energy to form a powder blend wherein the hormone is stabilized by the excipient in substantially non-crystalline form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steroid hormone products, such as oral contraceptive products, including at least one steroid active ingredient mixed with an excipient and having improved dissolution and release rate properties. The invention further relates to methods for making such steroid hormone products, wherein a mixture of the hormone and the excipient is subjected to sufficient mechanical energy to form a powder blend wherein the hormone is stabilized by the excipient in substantially non-crystalline form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steroid hormone products, such as oral contraceptive products, including at least one steroid active ingredient mixed with an excipient and having improved dissolution and release rate properties. The invention further relates to methods for making such steroid hormone products, wherein a mixture of the hormone and the excipient is subjected to sufficient mechanical energy to form a powder blend wherein the hormone is stabilized by the excipient in substantially non-crystalline form.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting vibrations in a soundboard of an acoustic instrument, such as an acoustic guitar. The sensor includes a brace means mounted to the soundboard of the acoustic instrument. The sensor further includes a transducer mounted on the brace means. The brace means detects vibrations in a region of the soundboard in engagement with the brace means and transmits the detected vibrations to the transducer. The transducer subsequently generates an electrical output signal representing vibrations detected by the transducer. The brace means includes a plurality of brace members to which the transducer is mounted.

Abstract: A method of assembling a musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar. The instrument includes at least one major panel and a side wall. The major panel has a groove or rebate cut into the panel according to a predetermined pattern, which may extend substantially around the periphery of the panel. A first assembly jig supports the panel whilst a second assembly jig holds the side wall in a configuration corresponding to the groove/rebate. The side wall is placed into the second jig such that a free edge of the side wall follows the groove/rebate. Adhesive is applied and the jigs are brought together such that the free edge of the side wall is inserted into the groove/rebate. A compression force is applied across the jigs to urge the side wall into the groove/rebate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical compositions comprising esterified estrogens, methyltestosterone and one or more pharmaceutical excipients. Methods for preparing and using such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a ny of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory, modules; at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: A method for surface treating antique or reproduction furniture including providing an antique or reproduction of an antique article of furniture having a surface for receiving a visual element. The method further includes coating the surface of the article with a pigment-carrying device in a manner that provides the article with the appearance that the surface of the article has been subject to graffiti. The coating step includes providing elements on the surface selected from the group consisting of random strokes, identifying words, identifying images, cartoon art, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device for mixing the outputs of two sensors. The device includes a first input for receiving a signal from at least one first sensor, a second input for receiving a signal from at least one second sensor, a low pass filter for passing signal components of the first input signal below a first frequency, a high pass filter for passing signal components of the second input signal above a second frequency and a mixing circuit for combining the signals passed by the low pass filter and the high pass filter to form a combined output signal. The mixing device may be incorporated into a pre-amplifier for use with an electrified acoustic guitar, or other acoustic stringed instrument, having an under saddle sensor and a second sensor attached to a body portion of the guitar, such as the soundboard. In this way, lower frequencies are taken from the under saddle sensor and higher frequencies are taken from the body/soundboard sensor.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an acoustic guitar, and methods and apparatus for assembly of such a musical instrument. The instrument includes at least one major panel, such as a front panel or soundboard, and a side wall. The major panel has a groove or rebate cut into the panel according to a predetermined pattern, which may extend substantially around the periphery of the panel. A first assembly jig is used to support the panel and a second assembly jig is used to hold the side wall in a configuration corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the groove or rebate. The side wall is placed into the second jig such that a free edge of the side wall substantially follows the predetermined pattern. Adhesive is applied and the jigs are brought together such that the free edge of the side wall is inserted into the groove or rebate. A compression force is applied across the jigs to urge the side wall into the groove or rebate.

Abstract: A multiple-sided activity device for toy blocks is disclosed. The activity device has a first side including a first activity adapted to interact with at least one of the plurality of toy blocks. The activity device also has a second side distinct from the first side, the second side including a block recognition mechanism configured to selectively interact with any of the plurality of toy blocks to identify which of the plurality of toy blocks is interacting with the block recognition mechanism and to produce block-specific sensory stimulating output.

Abstract: An entertainment device for use with at least one toy block is provided, wherein the entertainment device comprises a housing including a block support surface for the at least one toy block. The at least one toy block includes at least first and second planar surfaces adapted to contact the block support surface. The entertainment devices includes a block reorientation mechanism attached to the housing, the block reorientation mechanism being capable of (1) moving the block off of the block support surface from a first position in which the first surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface and (2) reorienting the block to a second position in which the second surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steroid hormone products, such as oral contraceptive products, including at least one steroid active ingredient mixed with an excipient and having improved dissolution and release rate properties. The invention further relates to methods for making such steroid hormone products, wherein a mixture of the hormone and the excipient is subjected to sufficient mechanical energy to form a powder blend wherein the hormone is stabilized by the excipient in substantially non-crystalline form.