Abstract: Elastomeric bladders having improved resistance to spontaneous rupture when inflated are made by vulcanizing a homogeneous mixture of synthetic polyisoprene having 90% to 98% cis-1,4 linkages, 3 to 10 phr fumed silicon dioxide, and vulcanizing agent while simultaneously forming the mixture into hollow cylindrical bodies. After being formed the bodies are solvent extracted to remove unreacted vulcanizing agent and the degradation products of the vulcanizing agent. Following the solvent extraction about 0.2 to 2 phr of a nontoxic, nonleachable antioxidant are imbibed into the bodies by contacting the bodies with a liquid solution of the antioxidant.

Abstract: A patient-care system is disclosed comprising a container housing a device that delivers an agent for controlling the presence of pathogens. Also, the device and a method are disclosed using the device for preventing pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the transdermal flux of a transdermally deliverable drug through intact skin is described in which the drug is delivered simultaneously with polyethylene glycol monolaurate. Preferred embodiments of transdermal therapeutic systems for delivering drug and polyethylene glycol monolaurate employ matrix containing drug at a concentration above saturation.

Abstract: A patient-care system is disclosed comprising a container housing a device that delivers an agent for controlling the presence of pathogens. Also, the device and a method are disclosed using the device for preventing pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A patient-care system is disclosed comprising a container housing a device that delivers an agent for controlling the presence of pathogens. Also, the device and a method are disclosed using the device for preventing pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A patient-care system is disclosed comprising a container housing a device that delivers an agent for controlling the presence of pathogens. Also, the device and a method are disclosed using the device for preventing pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A method for preventing an infection in a patient introduced through a indwelling catheter, the method comprising, connecting the patient to the catheter, connecting the catheter to a fluid receiving container, admitting into the container a biocidal dispensing device, and releasing a biocide into fluid in the container for inhibiting the growth of infectious bacteria in the container and concomitantly their introduction into the catheter and the patient.

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system is formed from a body member surrounding means at least a portion of which is an active agent loaded elastomer which is in a stretched condition during use. The tension created by the stretching of the elastomer is preferably from 20 to 35 psi and maintains the agent transferring contact between the skin and the transdermal therapeutic system. The transdermal therapeutic system may be in the form of a glove, sock, sleeve, cuff or band, for example.

Abstract: Elastomeric bladder assemblies designed for operation at constant pressure to maintain a constant dispensing rate for the contents exhibit a pressure spike shortly before the end of the duty cycle. This pressure spike may be prevented by including within the lumen of the bladder a bolus forming means which prevents the bladder from collapsing to a cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: An improvement in liquid dispensers, especially those used to infuse liquid drugs into patients, that dispense liquid under pressure from an expansible, elastomer bladder is disclosed. The improvement is that the bladder is made from synthetic vulcanized polyisoprene, especially polyisoprene that has 90% to 98% cis linkages and has been vulcanized with an organic peroxide, such as dicumyl peroxide, at a concentration of 5.5.times.10.sup.-3 to 7.5.times.10.sup.-3 moles of peroxide per 100 grams of polyisoprene.

Abstract: An osmotically driven fluid dispenser for use in an aqueous environment comprising: a shape retaining canister having controlled permeability to water; an osmotically effective solute confined in the canister which, in solution, exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against the water in the environment; an outlet in the canister wall; and a flexible bag of relatively impervious material that holds the fluid to be dispensed and is housed in the canister with its open end in sealed contact with the canister such that the canister outlet communicates with the bag interior and the bag interior is closed to the solute and aqueous solution thereof with the remainder of the bag spaced from and generally unsupported by the canister wall.

Abstract: An osmotic active agent dispenser is comprised of a chamber having controlled permeability to an external fluid, i.e., water, and containing an osmotically effective solute which, in solution, exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against said external fluid, said chamber housing a flexible bag of relatively impervious material containing an active agent and provided with means or dispensing head for releasing said active agent to the exterior of the dispenser. The flexible bag is disposed within the said housing chamber such that as the, e.g., water permeates from the external environment through the permeable walls of the chamber and migrates or diffuses by osmosis into the solution contained therein, same increases in volume thereby generating mechanical compressing or deflating force on the flexible bag, which force in turn ejects the active agent out of the apparatus at an osmotically controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: An improvement in liquid dispensers, especially those used to infuse liquid drugs into patients from an expansible elastomeric bladder of specific geometry and elastomeric properties, is disclosed. The improvement is in making the bladder from an elastomeric composition whose stress relaxation does not exceed 10%, and whose low frequency hysteresis does not exceed 10%.

Abstract: A polymeric wall adapted to release drug at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time from a reservoir comprising a drug and a carrier which is permeable to the drug and saturated therewith during said prolonged period of time, to a body environment or a drug receptor site, the wall comprising a mixture of a polymer which is biologically compatible with said environment or site and maintains its integrity while in contact therewith, has a glass transition temperature between ambient temperature and 150.degree.