Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: A fitting assembly for a high pressure system includes a tube assembly including a tube having an undercut near a first end. A gland is slidably coupled around the tube and has an exterior threaded surface. The gland forms a gland cavity adjacent an exterior surface of the tube. A spring collar is also slidably coupled around the tube between the gland and the first end of the tube such that a portion of the spring collar is disposed within the gland cavity. The fitting body has an inlet passage and a fitting cavity for receiving an end of the tube assembly. The open end of the fitting cavity has a threaded surface forming a threaded engagement with the threaded surface of the gland. This threaded engagement creates a primary and secondary seal in the fitting assembly. The secondary seal applies a force to the threaded engagement.

Abstract: An electrically driven hydrogen pressure booster for a hydrogen driven vehicle includes an inlet for receiving a gas. Also included is a plurality of chambers for compressing the gas, wherein each of the plurality of chambers includes a piston operably coupled to, and driven by, a crankshaft, wherein the crankshaft is driven by an electric motor. Further included is a pipe for transferring the gas between at least two of the plurality of chambers. Yet further included is an outlet for expelling the gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for achieving uniform stretching of polynucleotides in hybrid electrophoretic-gel, micro-constricting microfluidic channels. Polynucleotides in normally relaxed configurations are driven by an electric field along a microfluidic channel. The polynucleotides thread through a porous gel barrier formed in the channel and extend into a constriction where an electric field gradient exists. The combined action of the gel and field gradient acts to extend the polynucleotide configuration fully for direct linear analysis of the molecule.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for achieving uniform stretching of polynucleotides in hybrid electrophoretic-gel, micro-constricting microfluidic channels. Polynucleotides in normally relaxed configurations are driven by an electric field along a microfluidic channel. The polynucleotides thread through a porous gel barrier formed in the channel and extend into a constriction where an electric field gradient exists. The combined action of the gel and field gradient acts to extend the polynucleotide configuration fully for direct linear analysis of the molecule.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the drug solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: One or more COX-2 inhibitors are provided in a porous matrix form wherein the dissolution rate of the drug is enhanced when the matrix is contacted with an aqueous medium. The porous matrix yields upon contact with an aqueous medium nanoparticles and microparticles of COX-2 inhibitors having a mean diameter between about 0.01 and 5 &mgr;m and a total surface area greater than about 0.5 m2/mL. The dry porous matrix preferably is in a dry powder form having a TAP density less than or equal to 1.0 g/mL. The porous COX-2 inhibitor matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving one or more COX-2 inhibitors in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the dry porous matrix of COX-2 inhibitors.

Abstract: One or more COX-2 inhibitors are provided in a porous matrix form wherein the dissolution rate of the drug is enhanced when the matrix is contacted with an aqueous medium. The porous matrix yields upon contact with an aqueous medium nanoparticles and microparticles of COX-2 inhibitors having a mean diameter between about 0.01 and 5 &mgr;m and a total surface area greater than about 0.5 m2/mL. The dry porous matrix preferably is in a dry powder form having a TAP density less than or equal to 1.0 g/mL. The porous COX-2 inhibitor matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving one or more COX-2 inhibitors in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the dry porous matrix of COX-2 inhibitors.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the drug solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent.

Abstract: Paclitaxel is provided in a porous matrix form, which allows the drug to be formulated without Cremophor and administered as a bolus. The paclitaxel matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving paclitaxel in a volatile solvent to form a paclitaxel solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the paclitaxel solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of paclitaxel. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the paclitaxel solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent.

Abstract: Celecoxib is provided in a porous matrix form wherein the dissolution rate of the drug is enhanced when the matrix is contacted with an aqueous medium. The porous matrix yields upon contact with an aqueous medium nanoparticles and microparticles of celecoxib having a mean diameter between about 0.01 and 5 &mgr;m and a total surface area greater than about 0.5 m2/mL. The dry porous matrix preferably is in a dry powder form having a TAP density less than or equal to 1.0 g/mL. The porous celecoxib matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving celecoxib in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the dry porous matrix of celecoxib.

Abstract: Improved spray drying apparati, and methods of use thereof, have been developed. The spray drying equipment includes a primary drying chamber and a secondary drying apparatus which includes tubing having a length sufficient to increase the contact time between the drying gas and the droplets/particles to dry the particles to the extent desired, at a drying rate and temperature which would be too low to provide adequate drying without the secondary drying apparatus. The secondary drying apparatus increases the drying efficiency of the spray dryer system without increasing the drying rate, while minimizing loss in yield. Te secondary drying apparatus can include multiple secondary apparati, which are independently controlled for temperature and/or have different dimensions (cross-sectional areas and/or lengths), to allow for optimization of drying conditions.

Abstract: Improved spray drying apparati, and methods of use thereof, have been developed. The spray drying equipment includes a primary drying chamber and a secondary drying apparatus which includes tubing having a length sufficient to increase the contact time between the drying gas and the droplets/particles to dry the particles to the extent desired, at a drying rate and temperature which would be too low to provide adequate drying without the secondary drying apparatus. The secondary drying apparatus increases the drying efficiency of the spray dryer system without increasing the drying rate, while minimizing loss in yield. Te secondary drying apparatus can include multiple secondary apparati, which are independently controlled for temperature and/or have different dimensions (cross-sectional areas and/or lengths), to allow for optimization of drying conditions.

Abstract: Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition with improved heat performance contains an aromatic carbonate resin, a rubber modified graft copolymer comprising a discontinuous rubber phase dispersed in a continuous rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is chemically grafted to the rubber phase, and a flame retarding amount of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of an aromatic sulfone sulfonic acid flame retardant.

Abstract: Paclitaxel is provided in a porous matrix form, which allows the drug to be formulated without Cremophor and administered as a bolus. The paclitaxel matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving paclitaxel in a volatile solvent to form a paclitaxel solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the paclitaxel solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of paclitaxel. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the paclitaxel solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent.