Abstract: A tool, method, and system for assessing an incremental value of one or more items in an item assortment are disclosed. The tool can receive historical purchasing data, which can include a plurality of customers purchasing one or more items of a plurality of items in an item assortment. The tool can use the historical purchasing data for the plurality of customers to simulate execution of removal of an item from the item assortment, wherein removal of the item from the item assortment causes an incremental loss associated with the item. The tool can order any number of items of the historical purchasing data. The tool can execute scenario simulations, and the tool can account for probabilities when interacting with the historical purchasing data. The tool can display assessment data and receive inputs via an interactive user interface. The tool can launch the assessment data in a downstream application.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of chronic venous disease and collagenous scar tissue. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods and systems for remodeling a collagen obstruction using energy and an expandable catheter.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, medical devices are provided which have a negatively charged surface and a lubricous hydrophilic coating comprising a sulf(on)ated species disposed on the negatively charged surface. In various embodiments, the sulf(on)ated species is ionically crosslinked with itself and with the negatively charged species by a multivalent cationic species. In other aspects, medical devices are provided which have a polymeric surface and a lubricous hydrophilic layer comprising a covalently crosslinked sulf(on)ated species disposed on the surface. Still other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of forming such devices and methods of using such devices.

Abstract: Polymers of fluorinated monomers and acrylate and alkyl acrylates are disclosed which demonstrate improved performance as coatings for implantable devices. Such coatings may, for example, be used to release a bioactive agent from the medical device. One specific application lies in drug-eluting coatings for stents.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a vascular closure plug having a reinforced proximal end and methods of use therefor. The reinforcement may comprise a proximal force distributing member and a plurality of plug restraining members thereby tending to limit tearing or spreading of at least the proximal end of the vascular closure plug. In some embodiments, the reinforcement may also comprise a distal force distributing member and a plurality of plug restraining members, a circumferential collar, and/or a supplemental force distributing member.

Abstract: Polymers of fluorinated monomers and acrylate and alkyl acrylates are disclosed which demonstrate improved performance as coatings for implantable devices. Such coatings may, for example, be used to release a bioactive agent from the medical device. One specific application lies in drug-eluting coatings for stents.

Abstract: An adhesive patch is provided wherein the patch includes a porous backing having a front side and a back side. The patch also includes a therapeutic formulation located on the front side of the backing. The backing includes a flexible sheet of water insoluble porous material. The therapeutic formulation includes a combination of a antiviral agent useful for treating a viral infection in a mammal (e.g., human), a medicament that relieves topical discomfort, an adhesive, and a solvent. The solvent can preferably include a fragrance.

Abstract: An adhesive patch is provided wherein the patch includes a porous backing having a front side and a back side. The patch also includes a therapeutic formulation located on the front side of the backing. The backing includes a flexible sheet of water insoluble porous material. The therapeutic formulation includes a combination of a antiviral agent useful for treating a viral infection in a mammal (e.g., human), a medicament that relieves topical discomfort, an adhesive, and a solvent. The solvent can preferably include a fragrance.

Abstract: An activator comprising a biocompatible base and a known fungicide in the form of an acid salt are mixed together by the user shortly before being applied to the infection so as to react them chemically to produce the free base of the fungicide thereby rendering the composition capable of penetrating throughout the infected tissue. The free base form has been found to be much more lethal to the fungal infection, particularly in the treatment of onychomycosis. The activator is formulated to be mixed within a few days of or just before application with the fungicide, e.g., terbinafine hydrochloride (an acid salt). Although the free base is subject to degradation and has a shorter shelf life, it was found that mixing just prior to use eliminates problems that could be caused by degradation of an active ingredient. A preferred activator solution also contains a penetration enhancer and a tissue softener.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water insoluble, protective, adhesive skin patch useful for treating or preventing psoriasis, dermatitis, and/or eczema. The adhesive patch includes a backing that is treated with a sizing agent (e.g., a fluorocarbon solution, a silicone-containing compound, or a combination thereof). The present invention also provides a method for treating or preventing at least one of psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema in a mammal (e.g., human) and a method for exfoliating the skin surface of a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of credit aggregation in an arrangement including a borrower, a plurality of credit suppliers, and a credit aggregator, the method including the steps of: determining a borrower's credit requirements; assessing offers of credit from the credit suppliers to determine a suitable combination of credit offers to meet the needs of the borrower; the credit aggregator entering into at least one agreement with the borrower to provide the suitable combination of offers; the credit aggregator entering into separate agreements with each of the credit suppliers in relation to the relevant parts of each offer to supply credit to the borrower; wherein the arrangement of credit facilities are supplied by the credit suppliers to the borrower without the borrower entering into an agreement with the individual credit suppliers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing a respiratory infection in a mammal at risk thereof. The method includes contacting a live respiratory pathogen at risk of entering the respiratory tract of the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of an essential oil. The live respiratory pathogen is inactivated upon contact with the essential oil. The source of the essential oil is a patch located in the vicinity of the nasal passageway of the mammal. The present invention also provides a kit that includes the adhesive patch, a mask for placing over the nasal passageway, packaging material, and optionally instructions for using the adhesive patch and mask.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixing and dispensing pouch for applying a wound dressing onto a wound. The pouch includes a pair of superimposed sheets, e.g., of plastic film, connected together at their edges. A pressure-rupturable seal is located between the super-imposed sheets and extends from one edge of the package to the other to form two compartments. The pressure-rupturable seal can be forced open manually by applying pressure on the exterior of the package with the hands so as to increase the hydrostatic pressure in a liquid, e.g., water contained in one compartment of the package causing the seal to rupture and the liquid to spurt through the ruptured seal, mixing with a dry wound dressing contained in the other compartment. If required, additional kneading of the package with the hands will mix the wound dressing for use as soon as it is expelled from the package.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive patch. The adhesive patch includes a flexible backing having a front side and a back side and a cosmetic formulation positioned on at least a portion of the front side of the backing, in at least a portion of the front side of the backing, or on and in at least a portion of the front side of the backing. The cosmetic formulation includes a cosmetic agent; a solvent; a skin absorption enhancer; and at least one of a pressure sensitive adhesive and a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water insoluble, protective, adhesive skin patch useful for treating or preventing psoriasis, dermatitis, and/or eczema. The adhesive patch includes a backing that is treated with a sizing agent (e.g., a fluorocarbon solution, a silicone-containing compound, or a combination thereof). The present invention also provides a method for treating or preventing at least one of psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema in a mammal (e.g., human) and a method for exfoliating the skin surface of a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive patch that includes a flexible backing having a front side and a back side. A therapeutic formulation is positioned on at least a portion of the front side of the backing, in at least a portion of the front side of the backing, or on and in at least a portion of the front side of the backing. The therapeutic formulation includes a vasoconstrictor, a solvent that dissolves the vasoconstrictor, and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The present invention also provides methods of medical use that employ the patch of the present invention. Such uses include, e.g.

Abstract: An adhesive patch is provided wherein the patch includes a flexible backing having a front side and a back side. The patch also includes a therapeutic formulation positioned on and in at least a portion of the front side of the backing such that the therapeutic formulation is partially embedded in at least a portion of the front side of the backing. At least a portion of the backing is treated with a hydrophobic sizing agent such that the portion of the backing that is treated with the hydrophobic sizing agent has a surface energy of about 20 dynes/cm2 to about 65 dynes/cm2. The therapeutic formulation includes a topical acne drug, a solvent that dissolves the topical acne drug, and a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-occlusive adhesive skin patch. The patch includes a woven or nonwoven porous backing having a front side and a back side. The patch also includes a therapeutic formulation located on the front side of the backing. The backing includes a flexible sheet of water insoluble porous material. The therapeutic formulation includes a medicament useful for relieving topical discomfort and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The therapeutic formulation optionally includes a solvent that can effectively dissolve the medicament. The present invention also provides a method for alleviating topical discomfort. The method includes applying an adhesive skin patch of the present invention to skin inflicted with a topical disorder.

Abstract: A solid elastic and pliable self-supporting wound dressing is formed by mixing dry hydrocolloid polymer powder with water. Preferably the dry polymer powder and water are contained in a sealed package having a temporary or manually-removable barrier so that the dry polymer and waster can be stored separately from each other while in the package. The wound dressing may be prepared by breaking or removing the barrier to allow intermixing of the polymer and water within the package so that a fluid, pourable and spreadable aqueous colloidal dispersion is initially formed within the package and which can be removed from the package and easily poured or spread onto the wound. The initially-formed dispersion then solidifies to form a solid or semi-solid elastic, pliable wound dressing containing water and hydrocolloid. The presence of water in the wound dressing provides desirable moisture during the healing process.

Abstract: A non-occlusive medication patch to be applied to the skin includes a porous self-supporting backing layer to give the patch the required integrity and strength by acting as a supporting framework for other components, and a flexible hydrophilic pressure-sensitive adhesive reservoir comprising a natural or synthetic polymer for the sustained release of medication to be absorbed topically through the skin into the body of a patient. The reservoir has two portions: first, an external coating layer with an exposed lower skin-contacting surface that forms a pressure-sensitive bond with the skin, and second, an upper internal portion which infiltrates the porous backing and becomes solidified therein after being applied so that the reservoir and the backing are unified, enabling the backing itself to act as a storage location for the medication-containing reservoir.