Abstract: Provided are a microneedle and a microneedle array which have both aspects of safety and easiness to use and can administer a predetermined dose of a medical agent without causing a pain by smoothly running into the skin surface layer of a patient, the microneedle comprising a frustum and a forward end portion thereon, having a forward end apex angle in the range of 15 to 60° and a forward end diameter in the range of 1 to 20 ?m and satisfying the following expression (1), H/D?5??(1) (H: Height of the whole, D: Diameter of bottom surface of the frustum).

Abstract: It has been demanded to develop a formulation for a novel external preparation having excellent transdermal absorption of a basic pharmacologically active component contained therein. It is found that the lipid solubility (logP values) of a basic pharmacologically active component and an organic acid (particularly a fatty acid) contribute significantly to the transdermal absorption of the basic pharmacologically active component in the selection of proper combinations of the basic pharmacologically active component and the organic acid. Namely, it is found that superior transdermal absorption of a basic pharmacologically active component having a lipid solubility level of 0.5 to 5 can be achieved by forming a salt of the component with a fatty acid having a lipid solubility level of ?1 to 4. Thus, it becomes possible to provide a novel external preparation having excellent transdermal absorption properties.

Abstract: An immunity-inducing agent comprising as an effective ingredient a specific polypeptide is disclosed. These polypeptides were isolated, by the SEREX method using a cDNA library derived from canine testis and serum from a cancer-bearing dog, as a polypeptide which binds to an antibody existing specifically in serum derived from a cancer-bearing living body. The polypeptides can induce immunity in a living body and cause regression of a tumor in a cancer-bearing living body. Therefore, these polypeptides are especially effective as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for a cancer(s).

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel tape preparation containing lidocaine at a high concentration. A tape preparation containing lidocaine at a high content, which has a lidocaine contant of 10 w/w % or more, can be produced by using a lactic acid salt of lidocaine, while preventing the precipitation of a crystal of lidocaine.

Abstract: An enteric medicinal composition comprising a drug ingredient, pectin, alginic acid, or a derivative thereof, and water is provided that is easy to swallow.

Abstract: The invention provides a porous dry matrix preparation comprising at least a polymeric thickener and an excipient ingredient, wherein (1) the content of the polymeric thickener is down to 0.5 w/w % and up to 14 w/w %, (2) the content of the excipient ingredient is down to 30 w/w % and up to 80 w/w %, (3) the void ratio is not less than 20%, and (4) the water activity is not more than 0.55, or water content is not more than 10 w/w %.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide an anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use comprising etodolac as NSAID. The anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use is excellent not only in skin permeability but also in penetratability and diffusivity into tissues present in portions deeper than the skin, can act directly on the muscles or joint tissues with inflammation or pain, and is a little irritant to the skin. The anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use of the present invention is characterized by comprising etodolac and a local anesthetic.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a microneedle. A jig is heated to a temperature above the level at which a temperature-sensitive material that exhibits thermoplastic deformation becomes viscoplastic, the jig is brought into contact with the temperature-sensitive material, and then the jig is pulled part from the temperature-sensitive material to elongate the portion of the temperature-sensitive material in contact with the jig, whereby acicular projections are formed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an external preparation having enhanced transdermal penetration of a mast cell degranulation inhibitor. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the photostability of a preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor. The present invention provides an external preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor and a topical anesthetic. Further, the method for enhancing the photostability of a preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor according to the present invention includes adding a topical anesthetic thereto.

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.

Abstract: Provided for use in medical care settings is a gel preparation for oral administration to patients with hyperlipemia or hypercholesterolemia, wherein the ingestibility of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a statin-series compound, has been improved in dosage forms of tablets, granules and liquids. A pharmaceutical composition in a gel form, comprising an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a gelling agent, a polymer compound, a buffering agent, a preservative, a sweetening agent, a base and water, wherein the bad tastes of the statin-series compound are disguised, syneresis during storage is less likely, form retention is good, removal from containers is easy, and the ingestibility has been improved.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition having both of enteric property and dosing property that a conventional composition has not had. The present invention, which can achieve the above object, relates to an enteric medicinal composition, comprising a drug ingredient, pectin, alginic acid or derivative thereof, and water. According to the present invention, it becomes easier to take an enteric composition which has been conventionally difficult to be swallowed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an external preparation having enhanced transdermal penetration of a mast cell degranulation inhibitor. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the photostability of a preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor. The present invention provides an external preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor and a topical anesthetic. Further, the method for enhancing the photostability of a preparation containing a mast cell degranulation inhibitor according to the present invention includes adding a topical anesthetic thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process for obtaining a pad base for endermism capable of administering a drug in the skin without vibration. One side end of a thin metal wire is immersed in a solution containing a synthetic resin raw material in a lengthwise direction, the synthetic resin raw material solution adheres to a periphery of the thin metal wire, the synthetic resin raw material solution is hardened and then the thin metal wire is pulled out. The resulting minute needle is a hollow tubular body and the outer wall thereof is thickened toward the bottom. The minute needle is installed upright on the skin side of a patch base, and a drug in the hollow portion of the minute needle is injected in the skin and can be provided for endermism.

Abstract: The invention provides a biguanide drug-containing jelly preparation of which discomfort upon administration is decreased by the control of its harshness or bitterness. In addition, the preparation has stability and excellent ability for releasing a drug in the digestive tract. The biguanide drug-containing jelly preparation of the invention is characterized by comprising a biguanide drug, an inorganic acid, and a water-soluble polymer. The jelly preparation of the invention is excellent in both stability and ability for releasing a drug, which are usually incompatible characters, particularly by the action of the inorganic acid.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide an anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use comprising etodolac as NSAID. The anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use is excellent not only in skin permeability but also in penetratability and diffusivity into tissues present in portions deeper than the skin, can act directly on the muscles or joint tissues with inflammation or pain, and is a little irritant to the skin. The anti-inflammatory analgesic for external use of the present invention is characterized by comprising etodolac and a local anesthetic.

Abstract: According to a conventional MicroPatch method, a drug is administrated by stinging the skin with a solid-core needle, and broadening a gap between the needle and the skin by vibration with a vibrator. Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a pad base for endermism capable of administrating a drug in the skin without vibration, and to provide a production process capable of easily obtaining the pad base. One side end of the thin metal wire is immersed in a solution containing a synthetic resin raw material in a lengthwise direction, the synthetic resin raw material solution adheres to a periphery of the thin metal wire, the synthetic resin raw material solution is hardened and then the thin metal wire is pulled out. There is obtained the minute needle 1 which is installed upright on the skin side of a patch base 2, wherein the minute needle is a hollow tubular body and the outer wall thereof is thickened toward the bottom.

Abstract: Provided is a drug formulation for mouth or pharynx to be used for medical care or treatment for serious stomatitis caused by a side effect of an anti-tumor agent or the like, and for anesthesia in the pharynx, with remarkably suppressed discomfort due to bitter taste although it contains a local anesthetic as a main efficacious component. The drug formulation of the present invention comprises a local anesthetic as an efficacious component, and a weak acid, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a mixture thereof, wherein the mixing ratio of the weak acid to the local anesthetic is 1:1 or more by mole ratio.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a pad base for endermism which hardly causes bad influence on organism even if a needle fractures in the skin and remains in the MicroPatch method. It is the pad base for endermism in which a minute needle 1 is installed upright on the skin side of a patch base 2 for skin. The minute needle 1 is formed from a biodegradable resin and is composed so as to be able to be injected an administering drug in a hollow center of an axle portion (a hollow portion 3). Even if the injection needle fractures and remains in the skin, the minute needle 1 is decomposed in vivo because it is made of a biodegradable resin; therefore, there is little bad influence is to organism.