Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relate to characterizing lipoproteins in a sample. The system includes a light source that delivers electromagnetic energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths to the sample and a sensor that senses an intensity spectrum which emerges from the sample when the sample is illuminated by the light source. A processor determines a chemical composition of the sample to determine the presence of lipoprotein particles. The processor then characterizes lipoproteins that are within in the sample by deconvoluting the intensity spectrum into a scattering spectrum and absorption spectrum. The method includes illuminating the sample with electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths and sensing the electromagnetic energy that emerges from the sample. The method further includes transducing the sensed electromagnetic energy which emerges from the sample into an intensity spectrum that determines the types of lipoproteins that are within the sample.

Abstract: A lotion alternative, namely a nonwoven fabric treated with an aqueous-based petrolatum-surfactant mixture, simultaneously imparts fluid handling and skin health benefits during product use. The petrolatum-surfactant mixture can be applied to the nonwoven fabric by a foaming process. The foaming process is compatible with existing commercial nonwoven production equipment and in-line high production rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive device and method for detecting and quantifying analytes present in a medium. The device comprises a metalized film upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of an antibody-binding proteins. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the plastic film upon which the protein is printed, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive system and method for detecting analytes present in a medium. The system comprises a diffraction enhancing element, such as functionalized microspheres, which are modified such that they are capable of binding with a target analyte. Additionally, the system comprises a polymer film, which may include a metal coating, upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of a analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the polymer film, either directly or with the diffraction enhancing element, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive device and method for detecting and quantifying analytes present in a medium. The device comprises a metalized film upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the plastic film upon which the receptor is printed, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive system and method for detecting analytes present in a medium. The system comprises a diffraction enhancing element, such as functionalized microspheres, which are modified such that they are capable of binding with a target analyte. Additionally, the system comprises a polymer film, which may include a metal coating, upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of a analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the polymer film, either directly or with the diffraction enhancing element, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive system and method for detecting analytes present in a medium. The system comprises a diffraction enhancing element, such as functionalized microspheres, which are modified such that they are capable of binding with a target analyte. Additionally, the system comprises a polymer film, which may include a metal coating, upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of a analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the polymer film, either directly or with the diffraction enhancing element, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an optically diffracting sensing device whose diffraction pattern changes upon exposure to some stimuli. The diffraction pattern may be two or three dimensional, and in one embodiment the change in diffraction patterns is recognizable to the untrained eye. The device comprises one or more gels coated onto patterned, self-assembling monolayers of alkanethiolates, carboxylic acids, hydroxamic acids, and phosphonic acids printed onto a variety of substrates, including glass, silicon, aluminum oxide, and thermoplastic films metallized with gold, or with an alloy such as nickel/gold. The present invention also comprises the method of making this device, and the use of this device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive device and method for detecting and quantifying analytes present in a medium. The device comprises a metalized film upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the plastic film upon which the receptor is printed, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods of contact printing of patterned, self-assembling monolayers of alkanethiolates, carboxylic acids, hydroxamic acids, and phosphonic acids on metallized thermoplastic films, the compositions produced thereby, and the use of these compositions. Patterned self-assembling monolayers allow for the controlled placement of fluids thereon which contain a chemically reactive, indicator functionality. The optical sensing devices produced thereby when the film is exposed to an analyte and light, can produce optical diffraction patterns which differ depending on the reaction of the self-assembling monolayer with the analyte of interest. The light can be in the visible spectrum, and be either reflected from the film, or transmitted through it, and the analyte can be any compound reacting with the fluid on the self-assembling monolayer. The present invention also provides a flexible support for a self-assembling monolayer on gold or another suitable metal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods of contact printing of patterned, self-assembling monolayers of alkanethiolates, carboxylic acids, hydroxamic acids, and phosphonic acids on thermoplastic films metallized with an alloy such as nickel/gold, the compositions produced thereby, and the use of these compositions. Patterned self-assembling monolayers allow for the controlled placement of fluids thereon which contain a chemically reactive, indicator functionality. The optical sensing devices produced thereby when the film is exposed to an analyte and light, can produce optical diffraction patterns which differ depending on the reaction of the self-assembling monolayer with the analyte of interest. The light can be in the visible spectrum, and be either reflected from the film, or transmitted through it, and the analyte can be any compound reacting with the fluid on the self-assembling monolayer. The present invention also provides a flexible support for a self-assembling monolayer on a metal alloy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and sensitive device and method for detecting and quantifying analytes present in a medium. The device comprises a metalized film upon which is printed a specific, predetermined pattern of a analyte-specific receptors. Upon attachment of a target analyte to select areas of the plastic film upon which the receptor is printed, diffraction of transmitted and/or reflected light occurs via the physical dimensions and defined, precise placement of the analyte. A diffraction image is produced which can be easily seen with the eye or, optionally, with a sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a sensor for measuring an analyte in a medium comprising a piezoelectric resonator having a first side with an electroded region and a second opposing side having an electroded region that is different in size and/or shape of the first electrode. The piezoelectric resonator of the present invention is capable of measuring more than one parameter thereby providing a multi-information sensing device. The present invention also includes an apparatus and method for detecting and measuring an analyte in a medium which utilizes the piezoelectric resonator sensor of the present invention.

Abstract: An adsorbent filter for removing caffeine from liquids. The filter is composed of a matrix of fibrous material; and adsorbent particulate material integrated within the matrix of fibrous material, so that passage of a liquid having a caffeine concentration ranging from about 20 to about 100 mg per 100 mL of liquid through the matrix for a contact time of less than about 2 minutes results in at least a 40 percent reduction in the caffeine concentration of the liquid. The matrix of fibrous material may be selected from woven fabrics, knit fabrics and nonwoven fabrics. The adsorbent material may be clay minerals such as, for example, smectite clay minerals. Examples of smectite clay minerals include, bentonite clays and montmorillonite clays. Generally speaking, the filter can be adapted to provide at least a 40 percent reduction in the caffeine concentration for about 1 cup to about 40 cups of a liquid.

Abstract: A method of durably rendering a polymeric fabric, e.g., a polyolefin fabric, wettable and resistant to protein adsorption. The method involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition which includes water and a surfactant adapted to durably render the polymeric fabric resistant to protein adsorption, and drying the polymeric fabric. The surfactant has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water, and is present on the polymeric fabric in an amount of the surfactant sufficient to reduce the adsorption of the protein by the fabric. The coated fabric not only exhibits durable reduced adsorption of protein but also has durable wettability by aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided which is made from fibers comprising at least two thermoplastic polymers and a compatibilizer. One of the thermoplastic polymers is present as a dominant continuous phase and the other one or more polymers are present as a non-continuous phase or phases. The polymer of the non-continuous phase or phases has a polymer melt temperature less than 30.degree. C. below the polymer melt temperature of the continuous phase. The polymer of the dominant phase may be, for example, polypropylene and the non-continuous phase may be, for example, polyamide. The compatibilizer may be one of several such as zinc ionomers of ethylenemethacrylic acid or modified polypropylene with maleic anhydride. The fibers from which the fabric is made are generally between about 5 and 50 microns in diameter and the non-continuous phase may exist within the continuous phase as fibrils with a cross-sectional area at least 0.1% of the cross-sectional area of the fiber.

Abstract: A method of durably rendering a polymeric fabric, e.g., a polyolefin fabric, wettable and resistant to protein adsorption. The method involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition which includes water and a surfactant adapted to durably render the polymeric fabric resistant to protein adsorption, and drying the polymeric fabric. The surfactant has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water, and is present on the polymeric fabric in an amount of the surfactant sufficient to reduce the adsorption of the protein by the fabric. The coated fabric not only exhibits durable reduced adsorption of protein but also has durable wettability by aqueous liquids.