Abstract: Apparatus for use in surgeries to treat disorders of the ear, nose, and throat including a hand-held device and rotating blade assembly. The apparatus may be connected to a vacuum source. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: The inventive composition first is highly viscous, remaining in place when administered to a patient. Then it decreases in viscosity and liquefies, facilitating easy removal, after a period of time ranging from minutes to weeks, such as after a change in temperature or other trigger; or after another component is added to cause liquefaction. Such compositions have many different medical uses, optionally with a treating agent contained in, or held in place by, the composition, such as, without limitation, prevention or reduction in scarring or adhesions after surgery involving the uterus or other body or organ cavities or other sites, by keeping raw areas of the tissue or tissue walls separated from each other during healing; delivery or retention of treating agents in body or organ cavities or other sites of administration; protection of wounds, burns, and other injuries; and holding tissue grafts in place. Even cosmetic uses are available.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in surgeries to treat disorders of the ear, nose, and throat including a hand-held device and rotating blade assembly. The apparatus may be connected to a vacuum source. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in surgeries to treat disorders of the ear, nose, and throat including a hand-held device and rotating blade assembly. The apparatus may be connected to a vacuum source. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for pharmaceutical compositions relying in part on an ionic interaction to control and facilitate release of the treating agent. More specifically, the invention relates to an extended controlled-release system having an ionic treating agent and an ionic polymer, wherein the polymer is sufficiently ionized to release the treating agent in a controlled manner over an extended period of time and the composition does not require an emulsion system for administering the treating agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for vaginal administration of a treating agent normally associated with undesired side effects at detrimental blood levels. The composition releases the treating agent at a rate to achieve local tissue concentrations without such detrimental blood levels by using a therapeutically effective amount of the treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use during menses that includes a treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical vaginal composition for treating or preventing vaginal infections. The composition includes a synergistic mix of a bioadhesive, extended release formulation that decreases the pH and that contains a peroxide in an amount sufficient to increase oxygen concentration without sterilizing the vagina or substantially killing the normally-desired local vaginal flora. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing vaginal infections in a patient comprising inserting vaginally an amount of the pharmaceutical vaginal composition in an amount sufficient to decrease the pH and increase oxygen concentration without sterilizing the vagina or substantially killing the normally-desired local vaginal flora.

Abstract: Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for relieving pelvic pain or infertility associated with uterine dysrhythmia. The composition includes a locally-administered anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive extended-release carrier. The composition may be delivered in an extended release formulation that includes a bioadhesive, water-swellable, water-insoluble, cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer, such as polycarbophil. The treating agent may be a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing pelvic pain, or treating or improving infertility, by inserting a mixture of an anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive carrier into the vagina of the patient to be treated.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for vaginal administration of a treating agent normally associated with undesired side effects at detrimental blood levels. The composition releases the treating agent at a rate to achieve local tissue concentrations without such detrimental blood levels by using a therapeutically effective amount of the treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use during menses that includes a treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods for using a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist for treating endometriosis, for treating infertility, and for improving fertility. The present invention further concerns formulating such a composition or method in such a way as to provide therapeutically sufficient levels of the &bgr;-adrenergic agonist locally while avoiding adverse systematic concentrations in the host, thereby minimizing or avoiding adverse side effects.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a composition comprising a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist in a bioadhesive carrier. Preferably, the composition comprises terbutaline in polycarbophil. The present invention additionally teaches the local administration of a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist for the purpose of treating or preventing dysmenorrhea or premature labor. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for pharmaceutical compositions relying in part on an ionic interaction to control and facilitate release of the treating agent. More specifically, the invention relates to an extended controlled-release system having an ionic treating agent and an ionic polymer, wherein the polymer is sufficiently ionized to release the treating agent in a controlled manner over an extended period of time and the composition does not require an emulsion system for administering the treating agent.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention teaches that daily, cyclical vaginal delivery of progestin may be used to provide regular, predictable withdrawal bleeding during hormone replacement therapy. The present invention also teaches that constant administration of progestin in a water-insoluble, water-swellable cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer may be used to maintain amenorrhea. Either regimen is accompanied by a significant decrease in adverse side effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for relieving pelvic pain or infertility associated with uterine dysrhythmia. The composition includes a locally-administered anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive extended-release carrier. The composition may be delivered in an extended release formulation that includes a bioadhesive, water-swellable, water-insoluble, cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer, such as polycarbophil. The treating agent may be a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing pelvic pain, or treating or improving infertility, by inserting a mixture of an anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive carrier into the vagina of the patient to be treated.