Abstract: An oral rinse composition that comprises an aqueous solution that includes a high molecular weight polymer and an energy supplement that stimulates central nervous system activity.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens system comprises a lens body with a curved outer surface and an assembly including a plurality of spaced apart nanostructures. The assembly covers at least a portion of the curved outer surface.

Abstract: Producing transverse fractures in a horizontal well may be achieved at a relatively lower fracturing pressure by forming one or more tunnels extending from the horizontal wellbore. One or more tunnels may be formed at each location along the horizontal wellbore where a transverse fracture is desired. The tunnel(s) may be formed mechanically, optically, or hydraulically. Further, fracturing may be formed at a lower pressure than would otherwise be required to form transverse fractures from a horizontal wellbore. According to some implementations, the transverse fractures may be formed without isolating a portion of the horizontal wellbore.

Abstract: A cement sample testing apparatus including a first pressure zone; a second pressure zone; and a pressure control system. The pressure control system can be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone, operable to raise the first pressure zone to a first pressure above ambient pressure, and operable to raise the second pressure zone to a second pressure above ambient pressure. A method for determining mechanical properties for a sample cement composition can include applying a first pressure condition to a first portion of the sample cement composition; applying a second pressure condition raised to a second portion of the sample cement composition; and determining one or more mechanical properties of the sample cement composition based at least in part on the pressure conditions present at the failure of the sample cement composition.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a cement composition comprising a cementitious material, water, and an elastomeric material comprising a bonding polar group into a wellbore, and allowing the cement composition to set to form a set cement, wherein the elastomeric material has a phase transition temperature, exhibits cold flow behavior, or both at less than or equal to the bottom hole static temperature of the wellbore. A method of servicing a cased wellbore penetrating a formation, comprising introducing a self-repairing cementitious material into a wellbore, and allowing the cement to set, wherein upon a loss of structural integrity the set cement self-repairs, and wherein the loss of structural integrity comprises the formation of flow pathways for fluid migration in the cement and self-repair comprises obstructing potential pathways for fluid migration.

Abstract: A cement sample testing apparatus including a first pressure zone; a second pressure zone; and a pressure control system. The pressure control system can be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone, operable to raise the first pressure zone to a first pressure above ambient pressure, and operable to raise the second pressure zone to a second pressure above ambient pressure. A method for determining mechanical properties for a sample cement composition can include applying a first pressure condition to a first portion of the sample cement composition; applying a second pressure condition raised to a second portion of the sample cement composition; and determining one or more mechanical properties of the sample cement composition based at least in part on the pressure conditions present at the failure of the sample cement composition.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing a polyvinyl alcohol/borate gelling system are described. The system forms a gel or partial gel when the composition is applied to the eye. The compositions are particularly useful as ocular lubricants or artificial tears.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions for contact lenses are described. The compositions contain multifunctional anionic surfactants that include at least two hydrophilic dissociating head groups. The multifunctional surfactants described (e.g., LED3A) possess both surface active and chelating properties, and have been found to be particularly effective in removing protein deposits from contact lenses.

Abstract: The use of bis-amines to enhance the antimicrobial activity of pharmaceutical compositions is described. The bis-amines are particularly useful for enhancing the antimicrobial activity of aqueous ophthalmic compositions, such as artificial tears or ocular lubricants, and solutions for disinfecting contact lenses.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing very low concentrations (e.g., 1 to 50 ppm) of cooling agents are described. The cooling agents are less volatile and less prone to causing ocular discomfort than agents previously utilized to obtain an ocular cooling effect, such as menthol. The cooling agents are preferably contained in a vehicle that forms a gel or partial gel upon application to the eye.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing a polyvinyl alcohol/borate gelling system are described. The system forms a gel or partial gel when the composition is applied to the eye. The compositions are particularly useful as ocular lubricants or artificial tears.

Abstract: The use of organic buffers to enhance the antimicrobial activity of aqueous pharmaceutical compositions is described. The buffers have tri-hydroxy functional groups and terminal acid groups, and are zwitterionic at physiological pH conditions. The most preferred buffer is tricine. The invention is particularly directed to the use of tricine to enhance the antimicrobial activity of ophthalmic compositions, such as solutions for disinfecting contact lenses and artificial tear compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic contact angle measurement on a curved material are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: initializing a video-based contact angle measuring apparatus; preparing the curved material for contact angle measurement; performing a sessile drop procedure to deposit a drop of liquid on the curved material; capturing an image of the drop on the curved material at a preset time; determining a drop-curved material interface on the image; determining a drop profile on the image; and calculating a set of dynamic contact angles based on the drop-curved material interface and the drop profile. The contact angle measuring apparatus can further comprise a processor for executing software instructions, a software module comprising processor-executable software instructions for performing at least some of the steps of the method and a memory, operably coupled to the processor, for storing the processor-executable software instructions.

Abstract: The use of nanoparticles of inorganic materials (e.g., synthetic smectite clays) in ophthalmic and otic pharmaceutical compositions is described. The nanoparticles are utilized as biologically inert carriers or depots for ophthalmic and otic drugs. The nanoparticles may also be utilized to modify the rheological properties of the compositions, so as to enhance the viscosity or flow characteristics of the compositions and/or increase the retention time of the compositions in the eye or ear.

Abstract: The use of nanoparticles of inorganic materials (e.g., synthetic smectite clays) in ophthalmic and otic pharmaceutical nanoparticles are utilized to modify the rheological properties of the compositions, so as to enhance the viscosity, flow characteristics, lubricity or other characteristics of the compositions. The invention is particularly directed to the provision of lubricant compositions for the eye and ear, and to enhancement of the viscosity, shear thinning and lubricity of artificial tear compositions.

Abstract: The present invention creates a current to voltage conversion system, comprised of an operational amplifier, which obtains a feedback current from an optical detector. The output of the operational amplifier controls the intensity of a light source whose optical energy is transmitted through an optical intensity reduction mechanism, to generate the feedback current. A separate light intensity measurement system is constructed to measure the output of the light source directly, bypassing the effects of the optical intensity reduction mechanism. By measuring the light source, the magnitude of the input current can be determined. The increased illumination created by using an optical reduction mechanism within the operational amplifier's feedback loop allows the separate light source intensity measurement system to be easily constructed using conventional technologies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pyrometer system and comprises an elevator tube. The elevator tube comprises an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube in telescoping arrangement and extending from a top to a bottom thereof, the arrangement defining a fluid passageway therebetween. The elevator tube further comprises a port associated with the outer tube that is operable to transmit a cooling gas therethrough into the fluid passageway. A pyrometer head is coupled to the bottom of the inner tube and is operable to transmit and receive radiation through the inner tube. The system further comprises a spider collar coupled to at least one of a top of the inner tube or outer tube, and is operable to support a work piece for thermal measurement thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pyrometer system and comprises an elevator tube. The elevator tube comprises an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube in telescoping arrangement and extending from a top to a bottom thereof, the arrangement defining a fluid passageway therebetween. The elevator tube further comprises a port associated with the outer tube that is operable to transmit a cooling gas therethrough into the fluid passageway. A pyrometer head is coupled to the bottom of the inner tube and is operable to transmit and receive radiation through the inner tube. The system further comprises a spider collar coupled to at least one of a top of the inner tube or outer tube, and is operable to support a work piece for thermal measurement thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to oral pharmaceutical preparations that comprise a pharmacologically active drug bound to small particles of an ion-exchange resin. Drug-resin complexes are coated with an aqueous based diffusion barrier comprising a water-permeable, film forming polymer that is relatively insoluble in gastrointestinal fluids thereby providing a controllable sustained release of drug under conditions encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. At least some of the barrier coated drug-resin particles may be coated with an enteric coating to provide a tailored release profile.

Abstract: The present invention creates a current to voltage conversion system, comprised of an operational amplifier, which obtains a feedback current from an optical detector. The output of the operational amplifier controls the intensity of a light source whose optical energy is transmitted through an optical intensity reduction mechanism, to generate the feedback current. A separate light intensity measurement system is constructed to measure the output of the light source directly, bypassing the effects of the optical intensity reduction mechanism. By measuring the light source, the magnitude of the input current can be determined. The increased illumination created by using an optical reduction mechanism within the operational amplifier's feedback loop allows the separate light source intensity measurement system to be easily constructed using conventional technologies.