Abstract: A digital display of an active window is provided. An application, separate from the application providing the digital display, is capable of identifying an artifact in the active window of the digital display without a priori knowledge or an application programming interface to the application providing the digital display. The artifacts may be alpha-numeric artifacts or non-alpha-numeric artifacts. The active window may be examined in multiple dimensions including 2 dimensions, 3 dimensions or more. Alpha-numeric artifacts, once identified, are pre-processed to remove anti-aliasing to allow for processor optical recognition.

Abstract: A method of preparing an infection-resistant medical device comprising one or more matrix-forming polymers selected from the group consisting of biomedical polyurethane, biomedical silicones and biodegradable polymers, and antimicrobial agents, especially a synergistic combination of a silver salt and chlorhexidine (or its salts); also disclosed are medical devices having the synergistic composition therein or compositions thereon.

Abstract: Topical compositions for use in the treatment of burns and other infection-prone wounds and of ocular infection are provided. These compositions comprise silver or a silver salt, an antibiotic selected from among aminoglycoside antibiotics and quinolone antibiotics, with the proviso that the antibiotic is not norfloxacin; and a sterile carrier, such as water or an ointment base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting transmission of Hepatitis B virus using compositions comprising silver sulfadiazine and preferably further comprising a biguanide such as chlorhexidine and/or a detergent such as sodium deoxycholate. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that silver sulfadiazine alone or in combination with chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate was shown to inhibit Hepatitis B virus DNA synthesis. The inhibitory effect of silver sulfadiazine was enhanced by combining silver sulfadiazine with either chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate.

Abstract: A wrist exercizing device comprises a pair of generally coaxial handles for grasping in the hands and turning, and a reel mounted therebetween. The reel has a reel surface that is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the handles. A cord is wrapped round the reel surface and supports a weight. Rotation of the handles to raise or lower the weight requires a periodically varying effort. Suitably the reel surface has an axis of rotational symmetry that is offset from the axis of rotation of the handles to provide the eccentricity. The degree of offset may be varied so as to vary the ratio of maximum to minimum effort required to raise the load.

Abstract: A method of preparing an infection-resistant medical device comprising one or more matrix-forming polymers selected from the group consisting of biomedical polyurethane, biomedical silicones and biodegradable polymers, and antimicrobial agents, especially a synergistic combination of a silver salt and chlorhexidine (or its salts); also disclosed are medical devices having the synergistic composition therein or compositions thereon.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easily available and convenient method of inhibiting the transmission of the AIDS virus in humans as a result of sexual intercourse is provided. The method relies upon a dual mode of action of antiviral compositions comprising silver salts, such as silver sulfadiazine, alone or in combination with chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate. These composition are effective to reduce the infectivity of the AIDS virus and also kill the causative organisms of many other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The method of the invention is therefore useful to reduce the immediate risk of AIDS transmission. It also reduces future risk of AIDS transmission by eliminating STD causing organisms which increase the risk of AIDS.

Abstract: An infection-resistant polymeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, for use on or within a human or animal body, for example, in the form of a vascular graft, can be prepared by an improved method which comprises the following sequence of steps: (a) soaking a polymeric material with a solution of an antimicrobial agent, such as sodium sulfadiazine, oxacillin dissolved in an organic solvent therefor, such as an ethanol/chloroform mixture, (b) soaking the polymeric material with an organic solvent, such as ethanol, for a metal salt; and (c) resoaking the polymeric material with the solution of the antimicrobial agent dissolved in the organic solvent therefor. The polymeric material is dried after each soaking step. Preferably, in the intermediate soaking step (b) the organic solvent contains a metal salt, such as silver nitrate, dissolved therein, so as to form in situ the metal salt of the antimicrobial agent, such as silver sulfadiazine.

Abstract: Animal tissue and the like having silver sulfadiazine incorporated therein is useful as a covering for burns and/or wounds. The silver sulfadiazine is incorporated in the tissue by soaking the tissue in an ammoniacal silver sulfadiazine solution or suspension. When the silver sulfadiazine is so incorporated in the tissue via an ammonium solution, more silver is found to be present than would normally be expected and the effectiveness of the thus treated tissue as a wound covering increases.

Abstract: Infection-resistant materials, and methods of preparing same, suitable for use within the interior of a human or animal body in such forms as vascular grafts prostheses, or other implanted devices. The material is rendered infection-resistant by incorporating therein antimicrobial agents, such as metal salts of sulfonamides and other antimicrobials or antibacterials, such as piperacillin. In particular illustrative embodiments, silver sulfadiazine is complexed by novel techniques with natural or synthetic polymeric materials such as silk, polyester (e.g., Dacron), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicone-based material, to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during, or after, surgery or implantation of a device.

Abstract: A protective skin matrix is provided which is particularly suited for the protection of burned or wounded patients. The matrix may be either cured, applied in sheets, or painted or sprayed directly onto the burned or wounded patient. The protective skin matrix includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, and glycerol.

Abstract: Infection-resistant materials, and methods of preparing same, suitable for use within the interior of a human or animal body in such forms as vascular grafts prostheses, or other implanted devices. The material is rendered infection-resistant by incorporating therein antimicrobial agents, such as nalidixic acid derivatives or metal salts of nalidixic acid derivatives. In particular illustrative embodiments, silver norfloxacin and silver pefloxacin, are complexed with natural or synthetic polymeric materials such as silk, polyester (e.g., Dacron), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicone-based material, to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of a device.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions useful as dentifrices or oral medicaments and capable of inhibiting microbial mouth infections. The compositions contain an effectiveamount of silver and/or zinc sulfadiazine and a suitable carrier. By inhibiting microbial mouth infections, these compositions reduce or eliminate dental caries, plaque formation, gingival destruction, bone and tooth loss. The compositions of this invention may be in the form of liquids such as mouthwashes, pastes such as toothpastes or solids such as chewing gums or coated dental tapes or flosses.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition useful in burn therapy comprises silver sulfadiazine, sodium piperacillin and a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: 1-Ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid and metal salts thereof wherein the metal moiety is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, cerium and cobalt are useful in the treatment of burns. These compounds may be applied to the affected surface of a burn victim either directly or as part of a composition together with a physiologically acceptable carrier, such as a water-dispersible, hydrophilic carrier.

Abstract: Animal tissue and the like having silver sulfadiazine incorporated therein is useful as a covering for burns and/or wounds. The silver sulfadiazine is incorporated in the tissue by soaking the tissue in an ammoniacal silver sulfadiazine solution or suspension. When the silver sulfadiazine is so incorporated in the tissue via an ammonium solution, more silver is found to be present than would normally be expected and the effectiveness of the thus treated tissue as a wound covering increases.

Abstract: Compositions which include 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid or its metal salts, e.g., silver, zinc, cobalt or cerium salts, and silver sulfadiazine are effective in the treatment of burns. Of special interest are compositions containing silver sulfadiazine and the silver salt of the above-identified quinoline carboxylic acid, wherein even though each compound is present in a concentration which would be ineffective if either compound were present alone, the resulting compositions are effective. The compositions of this invention may be applied to the affected surface of a burn victim either directly or in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier, such as a water-dispersible, hydrophilic carrier.

Abstract: A balanced oncotic pressure fluid suitable as a dialysate in the treatment of patients suffering from loss of kidney function. The solution comprises on the basis of 1 liter of solution about 200-300 mEq sodium, about 145-215 mEq chloride, about 55-85 mEq bicarbonate or acetate or lactate, and about 2-10% by weight dextran, the ratio of sodium to chloride being about 1.4:1. An example of the above solution contains about 224 mEq sodium, about 164 mEq chloride, about 72 mEq acetate, about 6% by weight dextran, about 2% dextrose, about 7 mg zinc gluconate, about 2 mEq potassium, about 3 mEq calcium, and about 2 mEq magnesium.

Abstract: Zinc and cerium salts of known oral hypoglycemic agents, particularly sulfonylureas, are effective in lowering elevated blood sugar levels, such as are associated with diabetes.

Abstract: Zinc and cerium salts of known oral hypoglycemic agents, particularly sulfonylureas, are effective in lowering elevated blood sugar levels, such as are associated with diabetes.