Abstract: A composition for use in an aqueous environment which comprise a formulation containing a water-soluble pharmaceutically beneficial agent, a water-insoluble, water-permeable film coating surrounding the formulation, and particulate, water-soluble, pore-forming material dispersed within the film coating.

Abstract: Impact-resistant microcapsules for the sustained and controlled release of biologically active ingredients through a surrounding permeable polymeric wall are disclosed wherein the ratio by weight of active ingredient to polymer is from about 4:1 to about 1:4, the polymeric walls having high tensile yield and tensile impact strengths and low nitrogen permeabilities.

Abstract: A single-use sensing device for a clinical chemistry analyzer system includes a carrier which supports a capillary passage. Species selective sensors are located within a test chamber portion of the capillary passage. A rotatable multichamber reservoir having a calibrant chamber for holding calibrant fluid and a sample chamber for containing a sample fluid is rotated first to a calibrant test position and then to a sample test position. In the calibrant test position, the calibrant chamber is connected to the inlet end of the capillary passage to draw calibrant fluid into the test chamber. In the sample test position, the sample chamber is connected to the inlet end to draw sample fluid into the test chamber and purge the calibrant fluid from the test chamber. A set of sensor readings are taken at each position, and concentration values are derived from the two sets of readings.

Abstract: A replenishment control system for a graphic arts continuous-tone film processor includes a scanner which scans a light spot across the film transport path and a sensor bar for receiving the light spot. The output of the sensor bar is periodically sampled during each scan of the light spot to produce a plurality of sample values for scan. Each sample value is then converted to a density value, and the density values are summed to produce an integrated density. Replenishment control signals for developer and fix replenishment are produced as a function of the integrated density.

Abstract: A process for recovering and concentrating organic vapor from a feed stream of air having an organic vapor content of no more than 20,000 ppm by volume. A thin semipermeable membrane is provided which has a feed side and a permeate side, a selectivity for organic vapor over air of at least 50, as measured by the ratio of organic vapor permeability to nitrogen permeability, and a permeability of organic vapor of at least 3.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 (STP) cm/cm.sup.2 sec.cm Hg. The feed stream is passed across the feed side of the thin semipermeable membrane while providing a pressure on the permeate side which is lower than the feed side by creating a partial vacuum on the permeate side so that organic vapor passes preferentially through the membrane to form an organic vapor depleted air stream on the feed side and an organic vapor enriched stream on the permeate side. The organic vapor which has passed through the membrane is compressed and condensed to recover the vapor as a liquid.

Abstract: A programmer for a pacemaker which has telemetric capabilities is disclosed. The programmer, in addition to being able to program the pacemaker through telemetric transmission of programming codes can receive digital and analog (including marker) information from the pacemaker for remote display and utilization, and for program modification in response thereto, if desired. Implementation of the programmer is accomplished partly by circuitry which includes pulse duration measurement circuitry for measuring time duration intervals of incoming RF telemetric signals and partly by a firmware program stored in the programmer.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation and purification of oxygen and nitrogen as well as a novel membrane useful therein are disclosed. The process utilizes novel facilitated transport membranes to selectively transport oxygen from one gaseous stream to another, leaving nitrogen as a byproduct. In the method, an oxygen carrier capable of reversibly binding molecular oxygen is dissolved in a polar organic membrane which separates a gaseous feed stream such as atmospheric air and a gaseous product stream. The feed stream is maintained at a sufficiently high oxygen pressure to keep the oxygen carrier in its oxygenated form at the interface of the feed stream with the membrane, while the product stream is maintained at a sufficiently low oxygen pressure to keep the carrier in its deoxygenated form at the interface of the product stream with the membrane.

Abstract: A graphic arts film processor includes a scanner which measures the transmittance of light through the film along a line or a set of parallel lines positioned at a skew angle A with respect to the direction of film travel. A film switch is located at the upstream end of the scanner. The film width is determined based upon the skew angle A, the film transport speed and time intervals between changes in the signals from the scanner and the film switch which correspond to the leading and trailing ends of the film. The film length is determined based upon the transport speed and a time interval between changes in the signal from the film switch corresponding to the leading and trailing ends. Developer replenishment is controlled based upon an integrated transmittance complement measured by the scanner, and fix replenishment is controlled as a function of the film length, the film width, and the integrated transmittance complement.

Abstract: A dispenser for active ingredients is disclosed which provides zero-order rate of release of essentially all of the active ingredients. The dispenser comprises a rate-controlling membrane and a solid microporous polymeric reservoir having interconnected or continuous pores capable of retaining the active ingredient by capillary forces, the reservoir being such that the active ingredient is essentially insoluble therein.

Abstract: A process of extraction of ions of metals from an aqueous feed solution and liberation of such in an aqueous product solution wherein the feed solution is circulated through the lumens of hollow fibers, the walls of said fibers consisting of a microporous membrane having the pores filled with an organic liquid comprising a complexing agent, and the ions travel through said walls to be liberated in an aqueous product solution circulated over the outside of the fibers. A preferred embodiment of the process employs an anisotropic microporous membrane having pores of about 0.01 to 0.04 micron in diameter at each surface and larger pores in the interior.

Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs carried on a rotatable spindle includes a conveyor for conveying the spindle intermittently from a first end of the processor along a generally horizontal conveyor path to each of a plurality of stations along the conveyor path. The intermittent conveying of the spindle by the conveyor is cyclical, with each cycle of the conveyor having a transport portion during which the spindle is conveyed from one station to another and a processing portion during which the spindle is positioned at one of the stations for processing. The spindle and film discs mounted thereon are rotated when positioned for processing at each station, and a rotation sensor at each station senses a failure of the spindle to be rotated. The processor also has a spindle sensor which senses the presence of the spindle adjacent the first end of the processor.

Abstract: The present specification describes a medicated device adapted for a single and rate-controlled rectal or vaginal administration to a mammal of a systemically active pharmaceutical (SAP). The device accomplishes drug administration at an essentially time-independent rate of dosage. Further, the device advantageously results in the substantial exhaustion of the SAP from the device at the conclusion of the single, acute use. The device comprises three elements:(A) an inert resilient support means contoured for easy vaginal or rectal insertion;(B) a first flexible polymer film layer affixed to the support means and containing the SAP dispersed therethrough, this first polymer film not being rate limiting as to the release of drug from the device; and(C) a second polymer film, laminated onto the first polymer film and providing a release rate therefrom of prostaglandin, which is rate limiting both as to the release of prostaglandin from the device and absorption rate by the rectal or vaginal tissues.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The present specification describes a medicated device adapted for a single, acute, and rate-controlled rectal or vaginal administration to a mammal of a lipophilic prostaglandin. The device accomplishes drug administration at an essentially time-independent rate of dosage. Further, the device advantageously results in the substantial exhaustion of the prostaglandin from the device at the conclusion of the single, acute use. The device comprises three elements:(A) an inert resilient support means contoured for easy vaginal or rectal insertion;(B) a first flexible polymer film layer affixed to the support means and containing the prostaglandin dispersed therethrough, this first polymer film not being rate limiting as to the release of drug from the device; and(C) a second polymer film, laminated onto the first polymer film and providing a release rate therefrom of prostaglandin, which is rate limiting both as to the release of prostaglandin from the device and absorption rate by the rectal or vaginal tissues.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.