Abstract: The retention of oral drug dosage forms in the stomach is improved by using swellable dosage forms that are shaped in a manner that will prevent them from inadvertently passing through the pylorus as a result of being in a particular orientation. The planar projection of the shape is one that has two orthogonal axes of different lengths, the longer being short enough to permit easy swallowing prior to swelling while the shorter is long enough within one-half hour of swelling to prevent passage through the pylorus.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism and device for the passive periodic release of a drug or an active ingredient which avoids the need for external power sources and/or electronic controllers. By taking advantage of oscillating chemical systems, one can change the state, i.e. the pH, of a solution, a drug, enhancer or solubilizer resulting in oscillating the ability of an active ingredient to be delivered transdermally. The pH of a solution can be oscillated over a range of pH values from 2 to 10 by the reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions of salts, such as permanganates, iodates, sulfates, chlorates, or bromates. Upon activation, the delivery system conditions begin to oscillate and with it, the delivery of the active agent oscillates.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system comprising(i) an occlusive, impermeable polymeric backing layer;(ii) a drug depot on one side thereof;(iii) a removable, occlusive covering layer over said drug depot; and(iv) an adhesive means by which said delivery system, absent said removable covering layer may be affixed to an intended patient;said drug depot containing a drug formulation comprising a transdermally administrable pharmaceutically acceptable pharmaceutically active agent or a precursor thereof, water and lower alkanol; said active agent or precursor thereof being present in a pharmaceutically effective amount; said lower alkanol and said water being present in a volume:volume ratio of from 30:70 up to less than 95:5 such that said lower alkanol, water and drug are delivered to a patient's skin, which patient has applied said system absent said removable covering layer to said patient's skin, in amounts that said drug is delivered in a transdermally administrable efficacious amount, said water has an activ

Abstract: A device useful for administration of pharmacologically-active substances transdermally, orally, or by means of subdermal implant includes an impermeable backing layer, a plasticized polyvinyl chloride layer, and an adhesive layer, wherein the plasticized polyvinyl chloride layer includes from about 20 up to about 70% by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin, from about 20 up to about 70% by weight of a plasticizer, and from about 0.5 up to about 35% by weight of a pharmacologically-active substance such as isosorbide dinitrate, nicotine, clonidine, guanfacine, indomethacin, nitroglycerin, and prostaglandin and optionally excipients.

Abstract: A new polymer, the feed monomers and molar percents of which, exclusive of a polymerization initiator and crosslinker, are:A. (I) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of a siloxy silane of formula I,(II) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of an unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula II,(III) 0 to 5 mole % of a Group A monomer, and(IV) 0 to 16 mole % of an additional vinylic copolymerizable monomer;B. (I) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of a siloxy silane of formula I,(II) 21 mole % up to less than 42 mole % of an unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula II,(III) 0 to 5 mole % of a Group A monomer, and(IV) 0 to 29 mole % of an additional vinylic copolymerizable monomer; orC. (I) 16 mole % up to less than 42 mole % of a siloxy silane of formula I,(II) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of an unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula II,(III) 0 to 5 mole % of a Group A monomer, and(IV) 0 to 36 mole % of an additional vinylic copolymerizable monomer;where formula I is ##STR1## where formula II is ##STR2## in which R.sub.

Abstract: A new polymer, the feed monomers and molar percents of which, exclusive of a polymerization initiator and crosslinker, are:A.(I) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of a siloxy silane of formula I,(II) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of an unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula II,(III) 0 to 5 mole % of a Group A monomer, and(IV) 0 to 16 mole % of an additional vinylic copolymerizable monomer;B.(I) 42 mole % to 58 mole % of a siloxy silane of formula I,(II) 21 mole % up to less than 42 mole % of an unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula II,(III) 0 to 5 mole % of a Group A monomer, and(IV) 0 to 29 mole % of an additional vinylic copolymerizable monomer, orC.

Abstract: Compositions of zwitterionic drugs for transdermal administration and methods of administering zwitterions transdermally are disclosed. The compositions comprise a zwitterionic drug in a salt form and a solvent therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the art of transdermal administration of drug substances, particularly those drug substances having a greater solubility in ethanol than in water and those drug substances having cationic or anionic substituent groups. It is especially useful for the administration of nitroglycerin.

Abstract: A device for the controlled release and delivery of a pharmacologically active agent, comprising a vinyl gel layer and a pharmacologically active agent uniformly dispersed in the layer in a pharmacologically effective amount, the vinyl layer comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin, a primary plasticizer for the polyvinyl chloride resin, and an organic, nonvolatile gel forming additive in an amount sufficient to form a gel.

Abstract: Described is an article of manufacture useful for administration of pharmacologically-active substances, transdermally, orally or by means of subdermal implant comprising a solid vinyl plastisol layer for contacting a patient's tissue, internally or externally, the layer containing from about 20 up to about 70% by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin or a polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymer containing a minor proportion of vinyl acetate; from about 20-70% plasticizer composition; from about 0.5 up to 35% of a pharmacologically-active substance such as isosorbide dinitrate, nicotine, clonidine, guanfacine, indomethacin, glyceryl trinitrate and prostaglandin and optionally excipients.

Abstract: A device for the controlled release and delivery of a pharmacologically active agent, comprising a vinyl gel layer and a pharmacologically active agent uniformly dispersed in the layer in a pharmacologically effective amount, the vinyl layer comprising an emulsion polymerized polyvinyl chloride resin, a primary plasticizer for the polyvinyl chloride resin, and an organic, nonvolatile gel forming additive in an amount sufficient to form a gel.

Abstract: Described is an article of manufacture useful for administration of pharmacologically-active substances, transdermally, orally or by means of subdermal implant comprising a solid vinyl plastisol layer for contacting a patient's tissue, internally or externally, the layer containing from about 20 up to about 70% by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin or a polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymer containing a minor proportion of vinyl acetate; from about 20-70% plasticizer composition; from abotu 0.5 up to 35% of pharmacologically-active substance such as isosorbide dinitrate, nicotine, clonidine, guanfacine, indomethacin, glyceryl trinitrate and prostaglandin and optionally excipients.

Abstract: Described is an article of manufacture useful for administration of pharmacologically-active substances, transdermally, orally or by means of subdermal implant comprising a solid vinyl plastisol layer for contacting a patient's tissue, internally or externally, the layer containing from about 20 up to about 70% by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin or a polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymer containing a minor proportion of vinyl acetate; from about 20-70% plasticizer composition, from about 0.5 up to 35% of pharmacologically-active substance such as isosorbide dinitrate, nicotine, clonidine, guanfacine, indomethacin, glyceryl trinitrate and prostaglandin and optionally excipients. Also described is the novel plasticizer-polyvinyl chloride composition of matter comprising 1-dodecylhexahydro-2H-azepin-2-one and polyvinyl chloride resin taken together with a pharmacologically-active substance .[.whereint he.]. .Iadd.wherein the .Iaddend.