Abstract: An inhalation device is provided for use with pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs). The device includes a mechanical mechanism for applying the force required to discharge the MDI, a breath-activated trigger for activating this mechanical mechanism, an auto-return mechanism for insuring recovery of the aerosol canister from the fired position and a dose counter for counting the doses dispensed or available. Arming of the device is achieved by removing the protective mouthpiece cover/dust cap. Activation of the MDI is set to occur at a point subsequent to the beginning of inhalation.

Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has a flow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow between the secondary and primary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.

Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a flow diverting means wherein the primary air flow channel is blocked for a brief period during inspiration with air flow during that period passing through a dosing chamber arrangement and connecting passage to inject medicament into the inspired air stream is provided. By diverting the inspired air stream in this fashion, powdered medicament may be provided for inhalation at a particular point in the patient's inspiration cycle, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.

Abstract: A data processing includes an on-line, interactive, intelligent help system which provides suggestions as to actions a user can take after entry into the system of an erroneous command or a question. The system also responds with explanations of why the suggestions were made and how they work. The system includes a natural language analyzer for converting the questions into goals. A knowledge base and an inference engine further analyze the goals and provide one or more suggestions on how to achieve such goals. An explanation generator uses such analysis to dynamically generate the explanations which are tailored to the user's goal.

Abstract: A mechanical vibration transducer includes a seismic mass is supported by a plurality of cylindrical silicone rubber mandrels. Each mandrel is wound with a length of optical fiber which has a reflective end and a transmissive end. A case surrounds the assemblage and is connected to the supports. When the case is displaced, the supports change diameter in response to the relative motion between the seismic mass and the case. This change in diameter is translated to a change in length of the optical fiber. By using the fibers as arms of a michelson interferometer, a sensitive instrument responsive to displacing vibrations is obtained. This instrument is energized entirely by light transmitted through optical fiber waveguides and whose information is transmitted to the observor using only light . waves in optical fibers.

Abstract: A liquid dual coated dosage formulation sustained release pharmaceutic having substantial shelf life prior to ingestion is disclosed. A dual coating is applied over controlled release cores to form dosage forms and the coatings comprise fats melting at less than approximately 101.degree. F. overcoated with cellulose acetate phthalate or zein. The dual coated dosage forms are dispersed in a sugar based acidic liquid carrier such as high fructose corn syrup and display a shelf life of up to approximately at least 45 days while still retaining their release profiles following ingestion. Cellulose acetate phthalate coated dosage form cores can in addition be dispersed in aqueous liquids of pH <5.

Abstract: An improved technique for removing line tilt and other types of line rate correlated noise interjected into the active portions of a video signal during transmission and reception of the video signal. The improved technique involves measuring the amplitude of the line rate correlated noise in a received video signal at points sampled across the active portions of a plurality of lines in the video signal. The video lines used for measurement are preferably constant-amplitude dummy video lines inserted into the video signal at the bottom of each video field prior to transmission of the video signal. A complementary line-rate-correlated noise waveform, based on the amplitude measurements, is then generated and summed with the active portions of the received video signal to remove the line rate correlated noise from the video signal.

Abstract: A process for preparing polylactide (PLA) microcapsules is described and involves dissolving PLA in a mixture of two miscible organic liquids, the higher vapor pressure liquid having solvent power for PLA and the second having little or no solvent power for PLA. The solution is prepared such that it is near its saturation point for PLA. Encapsulation of dispersed core material is achieved by vaporizing the liquid having solvent power for PLA causing phase separation of the PLA, then transferring the separated dispersion to an organic liquid having no solvent power for the PLA in order to harden the encapsulating coating. The disclosed process enables forming true microcapsules or reservoir-type devices encapsulating liquid core material particularly aqueous liquid core material and oil in water emulsion or suspensions.

Abstract: Dual Microcapsules are disclosed. The outer membrane encapsulates a liquid having one or more smaller microcapsules (Mini-Microcapsules) suspended therein. The Mini-Microcapsules contain a conjugate or a reaction product of a Drug which diffuses into the liquid in which Mini-Microcapsules are suspended. The suspending liquid contains an enzyme which reacts with Drug complex or reaction product to regenerate or release the Drug. The drug diffuses through the outer membrane into a host.

Abstract: An aqueous latex of a copolymer derived from defined relative proportions of (i) vinylidene chloride, (ii) vinyl chloride, (iii) an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and (iv) an unsaturated carboxylic acid forms stable protective films on a variety of substrates.

Abstract: An aqueous latex of a copolymer derived from defined relative proportions of (i) vinylidene chloride, (ii) vinyl chloride, (iii) an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and (iv) an unsaturated carboxylic acid forms stable protective films on a variety of substrates.

Abstract: Pipe coating apparatus is disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a laterally deployed conveyor belt rotating around a pair of rollers passes beneath the pipe to be coated. Coating material is supplied into a hopper above the belt. The hopper includes positioned slots for receiving reinforcing mesh therein and locates the reinforcing mesh in an extruded ribbon of coating material supported by the conveyor belt and applied to the pipe in helical turns. The application of multiple turns of reinforcing mesh plus shaping of the extruded ribbon enables a thicker layer of coating material to be applied to the pipe, and it is reinforced with multiple layers of reinforcing mesh wire.

Abstract: Pipe coating apparatus which incorporates means for rotating and advancing a pipe along a specified path and an applicator means for placing cementicious materials thereon. The slurry is applied by a mechanism having a top opening which receives cement therein, the opening directing cement to a reinforcing ply which is applied to the pipe. The reinforcing material is delivered through the applicator mechanism. The cement falls on the reinforcing material which normally has a mesh construction. The pipe is advanced and rotated simultaneously. The helical movement of the pipe draws the reinforcing mesh into a gap at the lower side of the pipe above a free rotating parallel roller. A ply of weatherproofing material such as plastic film is placed on the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe coating apparatus which incorporates a mechanism for placing weight material, typically concrete slurry, on a pipe where the weight material is delivered on top of a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a vertically aligned housing which receives the weight material and has a slot of adjustable height on one side. A conveyor belt extends between two rollers. One roller is located to the side of the pipe. The second roller is located to the side of the first roller and preferably parallel to and immediately below the axis of the pipe. The pipe is supported by the apparatus and the weight material, concrete in a tacky state, travels with reinforcing mesh along the top of the conveyor belt as it travels endlessly around the two rollers from the slot where the weight material is metered on top of the conveyor and wraps in helical fashion about the pipe as it rotates and moves lengthwise. A coating of specified thickness is applied by the apparatus.