Abstract: A structural support having fractal-stiffening and method of fabricating the support is presented where an optimized location of at least three nodes is predetermined prior to fabricating the structural support where a first set of webs is formed on one side of the support and joined to the nodes to form a first pocket region. A second set of webs is formed within the first pocket region forming a second pocket region where the height of the first set of webs extending orthogonally from the side of the support is greater than the second set of webs extending orthogonally from the support.

Abstract: A structural support having fractal-stiffening and method of fabricating the support is presented where an optimized location of at least three nodes is predetermined prior to fabricating the structural support where a first set of webs is formed on one side of the support and joined to the nodes to form a first pocket region. A second set of webs is formed within the first pocket region forming a second pocket region where the height of the first set of webs extending orthogonally from the side of the support is greater than the second set of webs extending orthogonally from the support.

Abstract: Various forms of apparatus (1) for preparing and dispensing beverages, preferably based on coffee, can receive instructions from a customer and deliver the beverage automatically. The apparatus is preferably capable of fully automatic cleaning in a cleaning cycle in which a cleaning agent is flushed through the lines (62, 64), and the apparatus is preferably arranged to ensure that not only are the lines cleaned properly but that no cleaning agent can be dispensed. The apparatus includes a brewer assembly (78) having a chamber (81) in which freshly ground coffee can be introduced and either espresso or filter coffee can be automatically prepared by passing hot water through the chamber and removing the spent coffee grounds. The coffee may be stored as coffee beans in sealed containers (208) that can automatically be pierced to release the beans which are ground immediately before preparation of the beverage.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease of condition administering topically to the skin or exposed tissue of a human, a dosage amount of a pharmaceutical composition, said dosage comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug to treat said disease or condition and a form of hyaluronic acid characterized in that the composition is immediately available to transport the drug percutaneously into the epidermis of the skin or exposed tissue to the site of trauma or pathology of the disease or condition to be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of rapidly transporting a drug to the epidermis and accumulating and maintaining the drug therein for a prolonged period of time comprising administration of a therapeutically efective non-toxic amount of the drug with an effective amount of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease or condition comprising administering topically to the skin or exposed tissue of a human, a dosage amount of a pharmaceutical composition, said dosage comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug to treat said disease or condition and a form of hyaluronic acid characterized in that the composition is immediately available to transport the drug percutaneously into the epidermis of the skin or exposed tissue to the site of trauma or pathology of the disease or condition to be treated.

Abstract: A method of accumulating a drug and a form of hyaluronic acid in the skin and/or exposed tissue of a human includes topically administering a therapeutically effective dosage amount of a formulation which comprises at least 5 mg/cm.sup.2 of the form of hyaluronic acid and a therapeutically effective amount of the drug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the unloading of a drug from the skin or exposed tissue of a human into the lymphatic system comprising transporting an effective dosage amount of the drug into the skin or exposed tissue by an effective non-toxic amount of a form of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions from which effective non-toxic (to the patient) dosage amounts may be taken and applied to the skin and/or exposed tissue of a human, each effective dosage amount comprising pharmaceutical excipients suitable for topical application, an effective non-toxic dosage amount of a drug to treat and to assist to resolve a disease and/or condition of the skin and/or exposed tissue of a human and an effective non-toxic dosage amount of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and/or homologues, analogues, derivatives, complexes, esters, fragments, and/or sub-units of hyaluronic acid sufficient to transport (to facilitate or cause the transport of) the drug, to a site in the skin including epidermis or exposed tissue of a disease or condition for percutaneous transport into the skin and/or exposed tissue to accumulate and remain there for a prolonged period of time and which is systemic independent acting.

Abstract: Topically applied transdermally quick penetrating compositions containing a drug and hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and methods of treating diseases and conditions employing said compositions.

Abstract: The use of:(a) a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent,and(b) hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and/or homologues, analogues, derivatives, complexes, esters, fragments, and subunits of hyaluronic acid,in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting, controlling and/or regressing angiogenesis in a therapy wherein dosage amounts taken from the composition each comprise:(1) a therapeutically effective amount of component (a); and(2) a therapeutically effective amount of the hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and/or homologues, analogues, derivatives, complexes, esters, fragments, and sub-units of hyaluronic acid, the pharmaceutical composition being characterized in that for each dosage amount taken from the pharmaceutical composition, the amount of components (a) and (b) inhibit, control and/or regress angiogenesis.