Abstract: The invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an MMP inhibitor and a statin, said composition being useful for treating vascular diseases.

Abstract: A two stage compressor or pump with integral electronically controlled multiphase linear motor incorporates a cup shaped moving piston as a stator. The linear motor body has an intake head with valve fitted at the end adjacent to the closed end of the cup shaped piston. A discharge head with a central discharge tube extending into the hollow center of the cup shaped moving piston is fitted to the opposite end of the motor body. As the piston reciprocates it draws the working fluid in through the intake valve, compresses and transfers it through an interstage valve in the closed end of the moving piston into a second variable volume chamber formed by the inside of the cup shaped piston and the discharge tube which acts as a fixed piston, and then further compresses and transfers it out through a valve in the discharge tube. While the design is particularly well suited for use as a compressor in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, it can also be used as a pump.

Abstract: An electromechanical linear motor incorporating a number of electrically conductive drive coils arranged axially and embedded in a composite matrix so as to form a hollow cylinder within which a piston or pistons are placed. Permanent magnets or conductive coils arranged around the circumference of the pistons interact through magnetic coupling with the drive coils so as to cause the piston to move in accordance with the currents applied to the drive coils. These currents are supplied through logic control circuitry which receives inputs from a number of sensors including piston position sensors, thermostats, pressure transducers and timers. Based on the information received from these sensors, a microprocessor controlled power circuit provides electrical pulses of a frequency, amplitude and duration designed to produce piston motion appropriate to the specific application.