Abstract: The present invention provides a non-invasive method for administering polypeptides across epithelial membranes. The formulations in the present invention comprise solid polypeptide particles mixed with a permeation enhancer and excipients which are dispersed in a media for oral or intranasal administration. Also provided in the present invention is a process to prepare the formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for the production of microparticles and nanoparticles of materials that can be dissolved. The system and method of the present invention provide quicker freezing times, which in turn produces a more uniform distribution of particle sizes, smaller particles, particles with increased porosity and a more intimate mixing of the particle components. The system and method of the present invention also produce particles with greater surface area than conventional methods. One form of the present invention provides a method for the preparation of particles. An effective ingredient is mixed with water, one or more solvents, or a combination thereof, and the resulting mixture is sprayed through an insulating nozzle located at or below the level of a cryogenic liquid. The spray generates frozen particles.

Abstract: Compositions useful for long-lasting pain relief from mucosal damage, such as mucosal inflamation, abrasions, ulcerations, lesions, trauma and incisions, without significant systemic absorption. The compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for application to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and buccal cavity. To relieve pain, the compositions or the invention are topically applied directly to the affected area.

Abstract: Compositions useful for long-lasting pain relief from mucosal damage, such as mucosal inflamation, abrasions, ulcerations, lesions, trauma and incisions, without significant systemic absorption. The compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for application to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and buccal cavity. To relieve pain, the compositions or the invention are topically applied directly to the affected area.

Abstract: A stable formulation is disclosed that enables the effective intra-oral delivery to a patient of a pharmaceutical agent. The formulation comprises the pharmaceutical agent mixed with an orally-acceptable oral-absorption enhancer in an orally-acceptable carrier-solvent, wherein the oral-absorption enhancer is adapted to modify the surface membrane such that absorption through the surface membrane is initiated or increased. The oral-absorption enhancer may comprise hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and surfactants including benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, Brij surfactants, Tween and Pluronic surfactants. Also disclosed is a system for delivering the formulation including a mechanism for dispensing predetermined doses of the inventive formulation intra-orally as with an aerosol or spray pump or propellant device.

Abstract: A formulation for non-invasive delivery of pharmaceutical agents, particularly proteins and peptides, by absorption through a membrane at a targeted site is provided, along with a process of making the formulation. The formulation comprises a suspension of solid-phase dehydrated particles in a delivery medium. The particles comprise the dehydration product of the pharmaceutical agent and at least one of a surfactant and permeation enhancer, and the delivery medium preferably comprises a propellant for pressurized aerosol delivery of the formulation. The formulation can be conveniently delivered to the patient's targeted site where the pharmaceutical agent is absorbed through the mucosa to achieve a desired bioavailability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-invasive method for administering polypeptides across epithelial membranes. The formulations in the present invention comprise solid polypeptide particles mixed with a permeation enhancer and excipients which are dispersed in a media for oral or intranasal administration. Also provided in the present invention is a process to prepare the formulations.

Abstract: A method for preparing poorly water soluble drug particles is disclosed. The method comprises dissolving a drug in at least one organic solvent to form a drug/organic mixture, spraying the drug/organic mixture into an aqueous solution, and concurrently evaporating the organic solvent in the presence of the aqueous solution to form an aqueous dispersion of the drug particles. The resulting drug particles are in the nanometer to micrometer size range and show enhanced dissolution rates and reduced crystallinity when compared to the unprocessed drug.

Abstract: A stable formulation is disclosed that enables the effective intra-oral delivery to a patient of a pharmaceutical agent. The formulation comprises the pharmaceutical agent mixed with an orally-acceptable oral-absorption enhancer in an orally-acceptable carrier-solvent, wherein the oral-absorption enhancer is adapted to modify the surface membrane such that absorption through the surface membrane is initiated or increased. The oral-absorption enhancer may comprise hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and surfactants including benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, Brij surfactants, Tween and Pluronic surfactants. Also disclosed is a system for delivering the formulation including a mechanism for dispensing predetermined doses of the inventive formulation intra-orally as with an aerosol or spray pump or propellant device.

Abstract: Compositions useful for long-lasting pain relief from mucosal damage, such as mucosal inflamation, abrasions, ulcerations, lesions, trauma and incisions, without significant systemic absorption. The compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for application to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and buccal cavity. To relieve pain, the compositions or the invention are topically applied directly to the affected area.

Abstract: A unitary pipe insulation and shield assembly of upper and lower partially cylindrical insulation elements defining a cylindrical pipe receiving cavity, a surrounding water repellant jacket having an integral hinge, and channel ring clamp elements fastenable together, the insulation elements, jacket and clamp elements being secured together to form a clamshell arrangement extendable about a pipe to snap fasten the clamp elements together.

Abstract: A thermal insulator for pipe elbows and the like, comprises two pairs of split, sleeve-shaped insulative legs having interior channels in which those pipe sections joined by the elbow are received. The insulator legs include dihedral faces which are oriented toward each other at a medial portion of the elbow, and are formed by inner and outer surfaces which intersect at the central axis of the associated leg. These leg surfaces are inclined at an angle equal to a predetermined fraction of the included angle between the joined pipe sections. The inner faces of the insulator legs abut, and a wedge-shaped collar or gore is disposed between the outer leg surfaces, and includes inclined faces which mate therewith, thereby forming a closed, insulative sleeve about the pipe elbow.

Abstract: An insulator for pipe elbows and other similar fittings, comprises an insulative insert encasing the pipe elbow, and a protective jacket positioned about the insert. The protective jacket includes a pair of legs having inclined interior ends which are spaced apart in the assembled condition to form a gap therebetween. A jacket collar or gore extends between and completely around the interior leg ends, and is connected therewith to close the gap and form a protective shell which envelopes the insulative insert.

Abstract: A thermal insulator for pipe elbows and the like, comprises two pairs of split, sleeve-shaped insulative legs having interior channels in which those pipe sections joined by the elbow are received. The insulator legs include dihedral faces which are oriented toward each other at a medial portion of the elbow, and are formed by inner and outer surfaces which intersect at the central axis of the associated leg. These leg surfaces are inclined at an angle equal to a predetermined fraction of the included angle between the joined pipe sections. The inner faces of the insulator legs abut, and a wedge-shaped collar or gore is disposed between the outer leg surfaces, and includes inclined faces which mate therewith, thereby forming a closed, insulative sleeve about the pipe elbow.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating snakeskins and fines from pellets in a collection of polymeric material wherein a first nozzle impinges the collection of polymeric material in a stream of air on a moving screen having a mesh size such that the screen will allow the air and fines to pass but will retain the pellets and snakeskins, the air stream carrying the fines through the screen into a closed compartment. A second nozzle is positioned to allow air from the closed compartment to move upwardly through the screen at a different location from the first nozzle to lift and remove snakeskins from the screen.

Abstract: A pipe hanger assembly having a pipe supporting and thermal insulating housing suspended in a hanger, the housing having a cylindrical outer surface matching the size and configuration of the adjacent pipe insulation jacket, and having a basically cylindrical inner passage the axis of which is parallel to and vertically offset from the axis of the outer surface. The housing is formed of a larger part and a smaller part, the outer surface portion of the larger housing part extending more than 180 arcuate degrees and the outer surface portion of the smaller housing part extending less than 180 arcuate degrees, the two together equalling 360.degree.. The inner surface portions of both parts each extend 180.degree.. The lower part is rigid and supports the pipe in the inner passage. At least one channel is located in the inner surface portion of the larger part to receive a tracer line.