Abstract: The invention is a system and method for quality-checking reprocessed IVUS catheters for electrical discontinuities during simulated use involving distal-end deflection.

Abstract: The invention provides a compressed tablet that provides a extended release tablet containing a extended release form of carbidopa and a extended release form of levodopa. The tablet optionally further comprises an immediate or rapid release composition of carbidopa and/or levodopa. The extended release composition in the tablet excludes a release rate-controlling polymer, and a release rate-controlling coating; however, the release of the carbidopa and/or levodopa is independently optionally delayed for a lag time. The invention also provides a tablet having a extended release form of levodopa and a rapid or immediate release form of carbidopa. A tablet can contain levodopa present in extended release form and rapid or immediate release form, and carbidopa present in extended release form and rapid or immediate release form. The tablet is used to treat Parkinson's disease and other movement related disorders, diseases or syndromes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an osmotic device containing controlled release venlafaxine in the core, wherein the osmotic device exhibits a reduced food effect as compared to a reference controlled release capsule formulation. Some embodiments include venlafaxine in controlled release form in combination with an anti-Alzheimer's or an anti-Parkinson's drug in a rapid release external coat. Memantine is used as an anti-Alzheimer's drug or an anti-Parkinson's drug. Particular embodiments of the invention provide osmotic devices having predetermined release profiles. One embodiment of the osmotic device includes an external coat that has been spray-coated rather than compression-coated onto the device. The device is useful for the treatment of depression in Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's patients. The device and method can also be used to treat or ameliorate other symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or any other neurological disorder.

Abstract: The osmotic devices of the present invention contain a unitary core comprising a salt of amantadine and an osmotic salt, wherein the two salts have an ion in common. The release rate of the amantadine is modified from a first order release profile to a zero order, pseudo-zero order or sigmoidal release profile by increasing the amount of the osmotic salt in the core of the device. The osmotic device includes a semipermeable membrane having a controlled porosity that can be adapted as needed to cooperate with the osmotic salt in providing a predetermined drug release profile. The osmotic salt need not be coated and it is in admixture with the amantadine salt.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, and dosage form therefor, of treating impaired motor function associated with Parkinson's disease, anti-Parkinson's drug treatment, e.g. L-Dopa therapy, and/or dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. The invention includes the combined administration of an NMDA receptor antagonist and an antidepressant, e.g., the combination of amantadine and citalopram or venlafaxine, or an NMDA receptor antagonist and an anxiolytic agent, e.g., amantadine and buspirone or trazodone, for the amelioration of undesired tremors, akinesia, dyskinesia, or bradykinesia associated with one or more different disorders or diseases. The drugs can be included in a single dosage form. One embodiment includes a combination dosage form containing each drug in controlled release forms. Another embodiment includes a combination dosage form providing a controlled release of an NMDA receptor antagonist and a rapid release of a neuroactive agent after administration to a subject.

Abstract: An optical signal processor having a monolithic prism supporting one or more channels, and constructed from a first glass block joined to a second glass block at a beam splitter interface. The monolithic prism has thin film beam splitters and filters (such as I and Q filters) either deposited directly on the prism or attached to it. The beam splitter interface, and the thin film beam splitters and filters are arranged relative to each other so that a portion of the return-ranging collimated encoded beam from an external optical sensor is reflected to all the filters. And detectors are connected over the filters to detect particular components of the collimated encoded beam which are passed through the respective filters.

Abstract: The osmotic devices of the present invention include a single core comprising a salt of a drug and an osmotic salt, wherein the drug salt and the osmotic salt have a common ion. The release rate of the active drug is reduced, and the release profile of the active drug is modified, from a first order release profile to a zero order, pseudo-zero order, or sigmoidal release profile, by increasing the amount of the sodium chloride in the core of the device. In one embodiment the sodium chloride is used to modify a controlled release profile to a delayed and controlled release profile.