Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for frequently measuring the concentration of an analyte present in a biological system. A monitoring system having at least two components is employed in order to allow separation of data collection from data processing and display. Such separation allows greater flexibility and convenience for the user.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for frequently measuring the concentration of an analyte present in a biological system. A monitoring system having at least two components is employed in order to allow separation of data collection from data processing and display. Such separation allows greater flexibility and convenience for the user.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for frequently measuring the concentration of an analyte present in a biological system. A monitoring system having at least two components is employed in order to allow separation of data collection from data processing and display. Such separation allows greater flexibility and convenience for the user.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the contact of a conductive material, for example, a hydrogel, with a sensor, for example an electrode, by means of using mechanical force to apply the conductive material to the sensor before use of the conductive material and sensor in a sampling device. The device and methods of the present invention improve the sensor response characteristics in transdermal sampling devices placed in operative contact with a skin or mucosal surface of a biological system to obtain a chemical signal associated with an analyte of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods of producing consumable components of a device used for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates methods of producing collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes methods of producing autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves methods of producing an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stable crystalline form of estradiol suitable for incorporation into pharmaceutical formulations. The invention further provides methods of preparing said crystalline form of estradiol. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising said crystalline form of estradiol. The invention further provides a method of treatment of an individual in need of such administration by the transdermal administration of estradiol from a polymeric matrix comprising the crystal structure of estradiol of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing transdermal drug delivery systems containing supersaturated drug reservoirs, such that higher drug fluxes are obtained. The methods involve heating the drug reservoir components to a predetermined temperature. Generally, this temperature is higher than the depressed melting temperature of the polymer-drug admixture which will serve as the drug reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, wherein heat treatment of the reservoir components results in a system having two liquid phases, the predetermined temperature is calculated so as to be higher than the melting temperature of the pure drug. Drug reservoirs and novel transdermal delivery systems prepared using the disclosed techniques are provided as well.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems for the transdermal administration of tamsulosin are described. The systems are in the form of laminated patches having one or more reservoirs comprised of a polymeric adhesive material containing a tamsulosin formulation. The invention also relates to a method for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and related conditions and diseases, by administering tamsulosin transdermally, to tamsulosin-containing pharmaceutical compositions for transdermal administration of the drug and to a low-temperature method for manufacturing a tamsulosin-containing transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: A device for forming an electrical connection between a number of electrical wires comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element, for example in the form of a coil, which is formed from solder for forming a solder joint between the wires. The connecting element has a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, for example by means of the coil windings, arranges so that a temporary electrical connection may be formed between the conductors by twisting them into the connecting element. The device can be higher and, when installed have reduced size compared with connectors that are provided with infusible connecting elements.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable soldering device for soldering electrical conductors comprising a heat-recoverable sleeve and a quantity of solder is provided with a deformable retaining member which retains the conductors in the desired alignment when deformed.

Abstract: A protected fiber optic waveguide comprising:(I) a core;(II) a cladding disposed on, around, and in contact with the exterior surface of the core; and(III) a buffer coating disposed on, around, and in contact with the exterior surface of the cladding, the buffer coating comprising a polysiloxane material comprising:(a) a polydimethylsiloxane and(b) a copolysiloxane comprising(i) a repeat unit selected from the group consisting of methylphenylsiloxane and diphenylsiloxane and(ii) a dimethylsiloxane repeat unit,the molar ratio of units (i) to units (ii) being between about 10:90 and about 80:20 if unit (i) is methylphenylsiloxane and between about 5:95 and about 50:50 if unit (i) is diphenylsiloxane;the weight ratio of polydimethylsiloxane (a) to copolysiloxane (b) being between about 5:95 and about 85:15.

Abstract: A method of joining a substrate, particularly a polymeric pipe for transporting fluids, e.g. natural gas and water, to an article which is not heat-recoverable and which comprises a conductive polymer composition. The article is heated by passing electrical current through the conductive polymer. The heated article makes direct contact with and fuses to the substrate, and is preferably a coupler which is used to join two pipes together. The conductive polymer preferably comprises carbon black dispersed in a sintered polymer, particularly ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, or carbon black dispersed in a very high molecular weight polymer, particularly polyethylene having a molecular weight greater than 150,000.

Abstract: Methods of modifying substrates, in particular joining pipes, especially pipes composed of glass fiber-reinforced polymers, make use of heat-recoverable conductive polymer articles. An insert is placed between the substrate and the article, and undergoes a desired chemical and/or physical change when the article is recovered. Preferably the insert is a fiber-reinforced thermosetting polymer which is cured in situ against the substrate. Preferably the conductive polymer is a sintered material or another material having good physical properties above its recovery temperature.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting together two wires and sealing the joint comprises a dimensionally-recoverable sleeve having a central solder insert and end adhesive inserts. The adhesive inserts comprise a higher viscosity adhesive that acts as a dam restricting flow of the lower viscosity adhesive.