Abstract: Described herein are devices, methods and systems that regulate the failure of a nasal device by including a pre-determined failure mode, thereby minimizing the risk. Also described herein are nasal respiratory devices that may be remotely activated or inactivated to turn on and off an increased resistance to exhalation compared to inhalation.

Abstract: An oral solid dosage form containing nanoparticles is made by (a) reducing the particle size of at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient dispersed in a solution containing fish gelatin to form a nanosuspension and (b) freeze-drying the nanosuspension of step (a) to form the oral solid dosage form.

Abstract: Described herein are adjustable-resistance respiratory devices, and particularly nasal devices that have an adjustable expiratory resistance while providing a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The resistance to exhalation may be manually adjustable by a user or remotely adjustable by a third party. For example, described herein are nasal devices having a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation that includes one or more resistance-modifying members for modifying the resistance of a nasal device. A resistance modifying member may include a cover, a shutter or an adjustable valve for opening/closing a leak pathway through the nasal device. An adjustable-resistance nasal respiratory device may include a control or controls for adjusting the resistance to exhalation. Methods of adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, and systems including nasal devices allowing the resistance to be optimized and/or adjusted are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices to transmit positive air pressure from a PAP source to the user, but provide passive EPAP when the PAP source is disabled. These interface device may continue to provide benefit to the user even if the PAP source becomes disconnected or otherwise fails. The interface devices described herein include a passive EPAP airflow resistor configured to provide expiratory positive airway pressure (“EPAP”). These interface devices may also include quick connects and/or disconnects for releasably connecting to the source of pressurized breathable gas, a quick release for disconnecting from the source of pressurized breathable gas, and an adhesive user interface region that connects the device the user's face. Also described are adapter for converting a PAP interface devices into combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices, and methods of using these devices.

Abstract: An optical gain flattening filter for attenuating the wavelength power levels of an optical beam to a threshold value. The filter has a series of volume phase gratings which each have a loss spectrum. The sum of the loss spectra for the volume phase gratings is about equal to the opposite of the gain spectrum of the optical amplifier. As the optical beam passes through the volume phase gratings, the sum of the loss spectra is added to the gain spectrum of the optical amplifier such that the optical beam is attenuated to the threshold value.

Abstract: An optical amplifier system for amplifying an input wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal with a first optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the input signal, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier to generate an output signal and a second optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the output signal. A spectral monitoring unit having a volume phase grating separates the extracted input and output signals into spectral components. A photo-detector array of the spectral monitoring unit determines the power level of the spectral components. The system further includes a controller operative to control the operation of the amplifier in response to the power levels of the spectral components.

Abstract: A device for expanding the wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has a beam splitter for splitting a wavelength division multiplexed beam into two beams at a desired separation angle. An optical grating separates the two beams into spectral components for each beam. The spectral components are focused on a receiving surface. The separation angle between the two beams expands the wavelength band of the WDM signal.

Abstract: A liquid composition for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutically active medicament coated with a taste masking effective amount of a polymer blend of (a) dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and neutral methacrylic acid ester (MM/MAE) and (b) a cellulose ester, in an aqueous vehicle, wherein the polymer weight ratio of the cellulose ester to the MM/MAE is about 40:60 to about 90:10, preferably about 60:40. The liquid composition utilizes a “reverse enteric coating” which is soluble in the acid pH's of the stomach, generally about 1.0 to 4.0, but relatively insoluble at the non-acidic pH's of the mouth. The coatings provide for rapid release and absorption of the drug, which is generally desirable in the case of liquid dosage forms.

Abstract: A liquid composition for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutically active medicament coated with a taste masking effective amount of a polymer blend of (a) dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and neutral methacrylic acid ester (MM/MAE) and (b) a cellulose ester, in an aqueous vehicle, wherein the polymer weight ratio of the cellulose ester to the MM/MAE is about 40:60 to about 90:10, preferably about 60:40. The liquid composition utilizes a “reverse enteric coating” which is soluble in the acid pH's of the stomach, generally about 1.0 to 4.0, but relatively insoluble at the non-acidic pH's of the mouth. The coatings provide for rapid release and absorption of the drug, which is generally desirable in the case of liquid dosage forms.

Abstract: An optical gain flattening filter for attenuating the wavelength power levels of an optical beam to a threshold value. The filter has a series of volume phase gratings which each have a loss spectrum. The sum of the loss spectra for the volume phase gratings is about equal to the opposite of the gain spectrum of the optical amplifier. As the optical beam passes through the volume phase gratings, the sum of the loss spectra is added to the gain spectrum of the optical amplifier such that the optical beam is attenuated to the threshold value.

Abstract: A liquid composition for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutically active medicament coated with a taste masking effective amount of a polymer blend of (a) dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and neutral methacrylic acid ester (MM/MAE) and (b) a cellulose ester, in an aqueous vehicle, wherein the polymer weight ratio of the cellulose ester to the MM/MAE is about 40:60 to about 90:10, preferably about 60:40. The liquid composition utilizes a “reverse enteric coating” which is soluble in the acid pH's of the stomach, generally about 1.0 to 4.0, but relatively insoluble at the non-acidic pH's of the mouth. The coatings provide for rapid release and absorption of the drug, which is generally desirable in the case of liquid dosage forms.