Abstract: The invention relates to a drug delivery system for contraception including a steroidal estrogenic compound, a steroidal progestogenic compound or a combination thereof for the purposes of contraception in a subject, and provides for an ultra-low dose delivery of a steroidal estrogenic compound which minimizes or eliminates a burst release effect. The invention also relates to a method of contraception using the drug delivery system and method of manufacturing the drug delivery system.

Abstract: A shakable cleaning bag is disclosed. The shakable cleaning bag may clean a plurality of objects that includes a base cleaning bag, a cleaning pouch disposed in the base cleaning bag that receives the objects to be cleaned and a perforated cut line disposed on the top portion of the base cleaning bag that is cut when the base cleaning bag is ready to be utilized. A fastener disposed below the perforated cut line that runs across the base cleaning bag allowing access to the cleaning pouch and an abrasive or non-abrasive alcohol cleaning solution that is contained in the base cleaning bag that has direct contact with the objects that are placed in the base cleaning bag to be cleaned by the alcohol cleaning solution. There is also a two pouch base cleaning bag with a rinsing pouch and rinse solution and a method of use.

Abstract: The present invention is a shakable cleaning bag to clean a plurality of objects that includes a base cleaning bag, a cleaning pouch disposed in the base cleaning bag that receives the objects to be cleaned and a perforated cut line disposed on the top portion of the base cleaning bag that is cut when the base cleaning bag is ready to be used. A fastener disposed below the perforated cut line that runs across the base cleaning bag allowing access to the cleaning pouch and an abrasive or non-abrasive alcohol cleaning solution that is contained in the base cleaning bag that has direct contact with the objects that are placed in the base cleaning bag to be cleaned by the alcohol cleaning solution. There is also a two pouch base cleaning bag with a rinsing pouch and rinse solution and a method of use.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Methods of inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Kits and methods for measuring lithium ions using phosphoglucomutase are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Methods of inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Some embodiments may include inducing molecular orientation by expansion of a molten annular polymer film. Other embodiments may include inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer. In certain embodiments, circumferential orientation may be induced by expansion of a polymer tube. Further embodiments may include manufacturing an implantable medical device from a biaxially oriented planar polymer film.

Abstract: Novel reagent formulations and methods are described for the use of phosphonazo III to measure calcium, magnesium and sodium in biological fluids.

Abstract: A closure includes a cap having a top and a skirt and an outer layer of material softer than the skirt is adhered to the outer surface of the skirt. The outer layer may have a thickness of at least 20 mils and may be molecularly bonded to the skirt. Advantageously, the outer layer covers substantially the entire surface of the skirt. The closure may be formed using a two-shot injection molding process in which the cap is formed in a first step and the outer layer of a softer material is formed on the skirt of the cap during the second step of the two-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: Novel reagent formulations and methods are described for the use of phosphonazo III to measure calcium, magnesium and sodium in biological fluids.

Abstract: A video processing method and system for generating a foveated video display with sections having different resolutions uses a network channel for communicating video images having video sections of different resolutions, and includes a video transmission system for processing and transmitting the received video images over the network channel. The system assigns a larger portion of the network channel's bandwidth to a video section with higher resolution. Further, the system includes a video receiving system for receiving and seamlessly combining the first and second video sections of different resolutions to form an output video image on a display device, and a control unit for sending one or more video control parameters to the video transmission system to control capturing, transmitting and processing of the video images.

Abstract: A device and system for remotely setting the ringer/vibrate/silent modes and other operations of cell phones and beepers in public areas. It has become routine that people are asked to shut off the ringers of their cell phones in public places such as movie theaters, libraries, performances, lectures, courthouses, classes, work places, meetings, auditoriums etc. Some places, such as libraries, have started to fine cell phone users when their cell phone ringer goes off. The invention automatically sets cell phones to comply with settings necessary for particular public areas. This is a convenience for people with cell phones who will no longer need to be reminded to comply with ringer modes in public areas. It is also a convenience for other people in a public area who would be annoyed by people with cell phones who neglected to shut off ringers. Finally it frees organizers of the theater or public area from constantly needing to remind people with cell phones to turn off cell phone ringers.

Abstract: A liquid container has a transparent panel and one or more opaque panels. Indicia such as lettering is provided on the interior of at least one of the opaque panels. The characteristics of the indicia and the opacity of the liquid are selected such that the indicia is not visible through the transparent panel and the liquid but is visible through the transparent panel in the absence of liquid. The opaque panel or panels may comprise a multi-layer laminate, the inner layer of which is clear and includes the indicia thereon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Some embodiments may include inducing molecular orientation by expansion of a molten annular polymer film. Other embodiments may include inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer. In certain embodiments, circumferential orientation may be induced by expansion of a polymer tube. Further embodiments may include manufacturing an implantable medical device from a biaxially oriented planar polymer film.

Abstract: Dry-eye syndrome and other dryness effects of glandular malfunction are treated orally by a combination which includes a source of omega-3 fatty acid, a source of omega-6 fatty acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, a source of magnesium and a water-soluble antioxidant. The preparation preferably is contained in a capsule. In a preferred form of the preparation and of the method, the preparation also includes mucin and cold water fish oil. The fatty acids preferably are contained in blackcurrant seed oil, and the water-soluble antioxidant is preferably in the form of vitamin C.

Abstract: Dry-eye syndrome and other dryness effects of glandular malfunction are treated orally by a combination which includes a source of omega-3 fatty acid, a source of omega-6 fatty acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, a source of magnesium and a water-soluble antioxidant. The preparation preferably is contained in a capsule. In a preferred form of the preparation and of the method, the preparation also includes mucin and cold water fish oil. The fatty acids preferably are contained in blackcurrant seed oil, and the water-soluble antioxidant is preferably in the form of vitamin C.

Abstract: Dry-eye syndrome and other dryness effects of glandular malfunction are treated orally by a combination which includes a source of omega-3 fatty acid, a source of omega-6 fatty acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, a source of magnesium and a water-soluble antioxidant. The preparation preferably is contained in a capsule. In a preferred form of the preparation and of the method, the preparation also includes mucin and cold water fish oil. The fatty acids preferably are contained in blackcurrant seed oil, and the water-soluble antioxidant is preferably in the form of vitamin C.

Abstract: Kits and methods for measuring enzyme activities and metabolites using NAD analogs and NADP analogs are disclosed. The analogs can be used as replacements for NAD and NADP cofactors in analytical procedures. Preferred aspects of the invention include kits containing the NAD analogs and NADP analogs for use in the measurement of ethanol, lactic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, glucose, glycerol, triglycerides, alpha-glycerophosphate, bile acids, creatine kinase activity, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and lactic acid dehydrogenase activity in analytical samples.

Abstract: Kits and methods for measuring enzyme activities and metabolites using NADH and NADPH analogs are disclosed. The analogs have extended stability in aqueous solutions and can used as replacements for NADH or NADPH cofactors in analytical procedures. Preferred aspects of the invention include kits containing the NADH and NADPH analogs for use in the measurement of ALT activity, AST activity, Urea, Ammonia, Salicylate, Triglycerides, Pyruvic Acid, Sorbitol Dehydrogenase activity, 5'-Nucleotidase activity, Creatine Kinase activity, 2,3-Diphosphoglyceric Acid, Adenosine 5'-triphosphate, .alpha.-Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase activity, Lactate Dehydrogenase activity and the Carbon Dioxide content in analytical samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved enzymatic method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample body fluid. The improvement comprises a coupled enzyme reaction scheme comprising the in situ generation of reduced nicotinamide coenzyme, with either simultaneous or subsequent re-oxidation of coenzyme by an analyte substrate and substrate specific enzymes. The change in absorbance due to the reoxidation of coenzyme is proportional to the concentration of analyte in the reaction mixture.