Abstract: Spray dried particles having specified aerodynamic characteristics are produced by atomizing a liquid feed and contacting the liquid feed with a drying gas, such as, for example, air or nitrogen. The humidity of the drying gas is controlled to a value, expressed, for instance, as dew point, which is known to produce particles having a specified tap density or aerodynamic diameter. Particles having a volume median geometric diameter greater than about 5 microns and a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 are preferred.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to formulations having particles comprising phospholipids, bioactive agent and excipients and the pulmonary delivery thereof. Dry powder inhaled insulin formulations are disclosed. Formulations comprising DPPC, insulin and sodium citrate which are useful in the treatment of diabetes are disclosed. Also, the invention relates to a method of for the pulmonary delivery of a bioactive agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a bioactive agent or any combination thereof in association, wherein release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a rapid fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: Particles incorporating a surfactant and/or a hydrophilic or hydrophobic complex of a positively or negatively charged therapeutic agent and a charged molecule of opposite charge for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm.sup.3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 .mu.m and 30 .mu.m, which together yield an aerodynamic diameter of the particles of between approximately one and three microns. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of poly(lactic acid) or poly(glycolic acid) or copolymers thereof. Alternatively, the particles may be formed solely of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent and a surfactant.

Abstract: Air-hardenable steels of duplex bainite/martensite microstructure consisting essentially of 0.10 to 0.7% C, 0.1 to 2% Si, 2.1 to 3.5% Mn, 0.0005 to 0.005% B, up to 3.5% Cr and preferably containing Cr in amount of at least 0.1%, balance Fe except for incidental impurities. Optional elements are up to 1.5% W, 1.0% Mo, 0.15% V, 0.2% S, 0.1% Ca, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Ti and 0.2% total rare earths. At least 1.0% Cr is especially preferred and if below such amount, total Mn and Si is at least 3% and in such case, if C is under 0.47%, at least 0.6% Si is present. The steels are hardenable to R.sub.c 2o to R.sub.c 58 and have a hardenable diameter in the range between 35 mm and 80 to 100 mm by air-cooling only, together with good strength, toughness and fatigue- and wear-resistance.

Abstract: Air-hardenable steels of duplex bainite/martensite microstructure consisting essentially of 0.10 to 0.7% C, 0.1 to 2% Si, 2.1 to 3.5% Mn, 0.0005 to 0.005% B, up to 3.5% Cr and preferably containing Cr in amount of at least 0.1%, balance Fe except for incidental impurities. Optional elements are up to 1.5% W, 1.0% Mo, 0.15% V, 0.2% S, 0.1% Ca, 0.1% Pb, 0.1% Ti and 0.2% total rare earths. At least 1.0% Cr is especially preferred and if below such amount, total Mn and Si is at least 3% and in such case, if C is under 0.47%, at least 0.6% Si is present. The steels are hardenable to R.sub.c 20 to R.sub.c 58 and have a hardenable diameter in the range between 35 mm and 80 to 100 mm by air-cooling only, together with good strength, toughness and fatigue- and wear-resistance.