Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule containing one or more active ingredients and process for preparing the same is disclosed. The multi-layered microcapsule comprises an inner solid microparticle core, typically composed of a biodegradable polymer, and having one or more alternating layers of polymer, active ingredient or polymer/active ingredient mixtures to produce a multi-layered microcapsule wherein the polymer or active ingredient in each layer may be the same or different or have the same or different concentration of the polymer or active ingredient in other layers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to induce opioid drug independence in opioid drug dependent individuals comprising administering opioid agonists and/or antagonists encapsulated in biodegradable polymer microspheres in a dosage formulation.

Abstract: A novel method of producing biodegradable microparticles is disclosed. Inorganic calcium salts are mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then added to an oil bath which is then mixed to form an emulsion. The mixing continues for a period of time sufficient to form hardened microparticles. The hardened microparticles are then retrieved and characterized. Biologically active agents may be added to the slurry prior to emulsification, or they may be added to the hardened microparticles after production. The microparticles may be injected into a human being whereby they act as controlled release drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system useful for the controlled, for example zero order release of one or more drugs to a selected skin area of a user, which system comprises an impervious backing sheet and a face membrane, the backing sheet and membrane secured together to form an intermediate reservoir. The face membrane is a macroporous membrane which has pores of sufficient size to avoid any rate control of the drug to be transdermally delivered to the user. The reservoir contains a viscous liquid base material selected to exude from the membrane to form a film and to occlude the skin of the user to force hydration of the stratum corneum with water from the lower layers of the epidermis of the user and a plurality of solid microparticles generally uniformly dispersed and suspended in the liquid base material. The microparticles containing an effective therapeutic amount of the drug for transdermal delivery, such as the contraceptive steroid.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system useful for the controlled, for example, zero order, release of one or more drugs to a selected skin area of a user, which system comprises a reservoir containing a transdermal delivery composition. The reservoir contains a composition which comprises a base material, which is a solid but which melts or liquefies upon contact with the skin of a user and selected to occlude the skin of the user to force hydration of the stratum corneum with water from the lower layers of the epidermis of the user and a plurality of solid microparticles, generally uniformly dispersed and suspended in the base material, the microparticles containing an effective, therapeutic amount of the drug for transdermal delivery, such as the contraceptive steroid.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system which system comprises an impervious backing sheet and face membrane, the backing sheet and membrane secured together to form an intermediate reservoir. The face membrane is a macroporous membrane which has pores of sufficient size to avoid any rate control of the drug to be transdermally delivered to the user. The reservoir contains a viscous liquid base material selected to exude from the membrane to form a film and to occlude the skin of the user to force hydration of the stratum corneum with water from the lower layers of the epidermis of the user. The liquid base material contains an effective, therapeutic amount of the drug for transdermal delivery, such as the contraceptive steroid, which drug is highly soluble in the liquid base material.

Abstract: A vehicle which provides rapid release of a drug and prolonged release of a drug is disclosed.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system useful for the controlled, for example zero order release of one or more drugs to a selected skin area of a user, which system comprises an impervious backing sheet and a face membrane, the backing sheet and membrane secured together to form an intermediate reservoir. The face membrane is a macroporous membrane which has pores of sufficient size to avoid any rate control of the drug to be transdermally delivered to the user. The reservoir contains a viscous liquid base material selected to exude from the membrane to form a film and to occlude the skin of the user to force hydration of the stratum corneum with water from the lower layers of the epidermis of the user and a plurality of solid microparticles generally uniformly dispersed and suspended in the liquid base material. The microparticles containing an effective therapeutic amount of the drug for transdermal delivery, such as the contraceptive steroid.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system useful for the controlled, for example zero order, release of one or more drugs to a selected skin area of a user, which system comprises an impervious backing sheet and a face membrane, the backing sheet and membrane secured together to form an intermediate reservoir. The face membrane is a macroporous membrane which has pores of sufficient size to avoid any rate control of the drug to be transdermally delivered to the user. The reservoir contains a viscous liquid base material selected to exude from the membrane to form a film and to occlude the skin of the user to force hydration of the stratum corneum with water from the lower layers of the epidermis of the user and a plurality of solid microparticles generally uniformly dispersed and suspended in the liquid base material. The microparticles containing an effective therapeutic amount of the drug for transdermal delivery, such as the contraceptive steroid.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated microparticles, which process comprises preparing a solvent solution of an active ingredient to be encapsulated and a film-forming polymer, removing the solvent to provide a dry, composite, uniform admixture of the active ingredient and the polymer material, reducing the composite admixture to a defined smaller particle size distribution, coating the reduced composite core particles in a fluidized bed, with a uniform defined wall thickness of the same or substantially the same film-forming polymer material to provide composite core coated microparticles.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated microparticles, which process comprises preparing a solvent solution of an active ingredient to be encapsulated and a film-forming polymer, removing the solvent to provide a dry, composite, uniform admixture of the active ingredient and the polymer material, reducing the composite admixture to a defined smaller particle size distribution, coating the reduced composite core particles in a fluidized bed, with a uniform defined wall thickness of the same or substantially the same film-forming polymer material to provide composite core coated microparticles.

Abstract: A dental-caries detector for the determination of dental caries by measurement of the electrical conductivity or other electrical property of a tooth, which dental-caries detector comprises: an electrically conductive, caries-detector probe having a probe tip which is adapted to be placed on a wet, electrically conductive area of the tooth; a dry air mechanism for providing a surrounding curtain of drying air about the probe tip to provide a dry, electrically nonconductive area about the probe tip; and a shield surrounding the probe tip to seal the probe tip from the dry area.

Abstract: A glove adapted for use with organic solvents and other chemicals, which glove is composed of a flexible multilaminate sheet material in glove form, wherein the sheet material is composed of: an outer abrasion-resistant polymer layer, an integral essentially pin-hole-free aluminum-foil material, and an inner heat-sealable thermoplastic polymer material, the multilaminate sheet material heat-sealed along the peripheral edges of the glove formed by the inner thermoplastic polymer layer to the opposite inner thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis adapted for the surgical implantation in the penis for the treatment of erectile impotence is provided, which penile prosthesis comprises an elongated gooseneck-type shell element, for example, composed of a helically wound strip material, the gooseneck-type element stiff in character to retain its position and which resists flexure, but which flexure may be overridden manually; end cap means positioned at each end of the gooseneck-type element to provide protection therefor; and sheathing means integral with the end cap means to enclose and seal the gooseneck-type rod element and end cap means, thereby providing an implantable penile prosthesis, whereby upon implantation an erect or flaccid penile posture can be obtained at will by overriding manually the resistance to flexure of the rod-like element.