Abstract: A substantially conical shaped microprojection having a wall defining an interior region, said microprojection wall including a plurality of openings; and a biocompatible coating disposed on the interior region of the microprojection. In a preferred embodiment, the microprojection is formed by deforming a region of a substantially planar sheet.

Abstract: A sustained release dosage form is disclosed, which dosage form comprises an interior lipophilic membrane, and an exterior hydrophilic membrane comprising a peptide, that surround a composition comprising a drug. The dosage form at the end of its drug delivery period self-ruptures for enhancing its exit from the environment of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting physical cylinders (cylinders accessible for read/write operations) in a disc drive is provided. The disc drive includes at least one rotatable disc. The disc drive also includes a first head, which is positionable adjacent a first disc surface, and a second head, which is positionable adjacent a second disc surface. The first disc surface has a first plurality of greycode tracks and the second disc surface has a second plurality of greycode tracks. Each greycode track of the second plurality of greycode tracks corresponds to a different greycode track of the first plurality of greycode tracks, thereby forming a plurality of greycode cylinders, with each greycode cylinder of the plurality of greycode cylinders including a pair of corresponding greycode tracks. The physical cylinders are a subset (less than all) of the plurality of the greycode cylinders.

Abstract: Improvements in a mini-osmotic pump and coating compositions are described. The dispensing pump includes an inner fluid-filled bag encased by an osmotic layer and outer, semi-permeable membrane. The inner bag is formed with an arcuate edge at the open end of the bag to inhibit formation of fissures in the outer membrane in this edge region. The coating compositions include cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, and polymethylmethacrylate polymers, optionally mixed with ethyl cellulose in acetone based solvent systems.

Abstract: A porous microprojection member for insertion into biological tissue surrounded by interstitial fluid having a wall that includes interior and exterior surfaces, the exterior surface substantially enclosing the interior surface; and a biocompatible coating disposed on the interior surface, the microprojection member being adapted to substantially restrict contact of the coating with the tissue during insertion of the microprojection member into the tissue, the microprojection member having sufficient porosity to allow migration of the interstitial fluid through the wall of the microprojection member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayered dosage form which is adapted for retention in the stomach and useful for the prolonged delivery of an active agent to a fluid environment of use. The active agent dosage form is a multilayer core, often bilayer, formed of polymer matrices that swell upon contact with the fluids of the stomach. At least one layer of the multilayered dosage form includes an active agent. A portion of the polymer matrices are surrounded by a band of insoluble material that prevents the covered portion of the polymer matrices from swelling and provides a segment of the dosage form that is of sufficient rigidity to withstand the contractions of the stomach and delay expulsion of the dosage form from the stomach until substantially all of the active agent has been dispensed.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a polymer and a surfactant in a solvent exhibiting a common solubility for the polymer and the surfactant. The composition provides a dosage form for administering a drug over time.

Abstract: A method for providing variable frequency patterns for vibration of a wireless device is provided. The method includes receiving a call at the wireless device, the call associated with a caller identifier. Frequency pattern data stored in the wireless device is searched for the caller identifier. A specified frequency pattern is retrieved from the frequency pattern data when the caller identifier is found in the frequency pattern data. The specified frequency pattern is associated with the caller identifier in the frequency pattern data. The specified frequency pattern is provided to a vibrator for the wireless device.

Abstract: A rocker includes a stem fabricated from an elastomeric material, having a first end and a second end, the second end being mountable to a base. A cap is secured to the first end of the stem. The elastomeric material of the stem is effective for resiliently urging the cap to an original position subsequent to being moved from the original position to a depressed position. Conductive elements are positioned on the cap for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when the second end of the stem is mounted to the base and the cap is moved to a depressed position.

Abstract: A handheld device having processor components operatively connected together for performing predetermined functions. The device defines a socket configured for rotatably receiving a ball defining an orifice configured for receiving a stylus. The socket is further configured for generating to the processor components electrical signals indicative of movement of the ball in response to movement of the stylus. The processor components include pointing device logic for responding to said signals.

Abstract: An improved hands-free speaker telephone designed to provide high-quality sound in a relatively small instrument, while at the same time avoiding acoustic shock to a user pressing the device too closely to an ear. If a speakerphone is mistaken for an ordinary portable or cellular phone, or simply out of misguided habit, a user may intentionally or inadvertently press the speaker against an ear. This action may subject the ear to an overly-loud audio event if the speaker begins producing sound, as hands-free speakerphone speakers are typically set to a much higher volume than those of ordinary phones. The effect, which is sometimes referred to as ‘acoustic shock’, is worsened significantly where the user actually succeeds in sealing the phone around the ear, as commonly (and harmlessly) occurs with standard (personal) phones. To avoid this undesirable phenomenon, the hands-free speakerphone is provided with a seal-proof speaker configuration.

Abstract: An improved, battery-operated liquid-crystal display (LCD) device designed to use the battery as a structural support for the LCD. The device, typically a cellular phone, media phone, or other telecommunications mobile station, includes a housing that encloses station components. The housing forms a window through which the LCD screen may be viewed when the device is in operation. A recess behind the LCD is formed for receiving a battery. The battery is made of a material that is sufficiently resistant to bending that, when the device, including the battery, is assembled, the battery structurally engages the LCD. That is, the battery provides at least some structural support to the LCD so as to reduce or eliminate deformation of the LCD that would otherwise have occurred due to a stress applied to the device.

Abstract: A mobile station in accordance with these teachings includes a communication part having a controller, an RF transceiver and an antenna; and that further includes an information entry part embodied as a keypad or a keyboard module that may be detachable from the communication part. The keypad module is coupled, whether attached or detached, through a wireless link to the communication part for conveying keypad-generated information, such as dialed telephone numbers, from the keypad module to the communication part. Preferably the wireless link is a short range, low power RF link, such as a Bluetooth link. The keypad module further includes a source for providing operating power for the keypad module, where the source includes at least one solar cell used alone or in combination with a battery.

Abstract: A diffusional drug delivery device is described which can provide for delayed onset of therapeutic effect and for delivery of the therapeutic agent in predetermined temporal patterns at optimum rates. Delay means are provided between the agent reservoir and the surface through which the agent is released by diffusion to delay the release of agent at a therapeutic rate for predetermined times after application. Suitable means include a delay membrane disposed between the releasing surface and the agent reservoir which membrane is preferably free of undissolved agent and/or is initially impermeable to the agent and thereafter becomes permeable. One or more agent chambers defined by one or more of such membranes may be provided, whereby agents are released in a predetermined temporal pattern at optimal release rates.