Abstract: A method to effect biphasic bioavailability of oral euphoric psychogenic cannabis. The method comprises the step of providing and ingesting a chambered, layered oral drug delivery arrangement, to achieve both a rapid systemic euphoric cannabis effect, and a delayed, but sustained, systemic cannabis euphoric effect.

Abstract: A method for providing an orally dissolvable composition of menthol, 1-arginine and one or more cannabinoids for quickly and reliably providing enhanced pharmacokinetic bioavailability of the cannabinoids to a mammalian subject. The orally dissolvable composition is preferably in the form of a thin orally dissolving mucoadhesive strip or film that is placed in the buccal cavity or under the tongue of a user. The menthol and 1-arginine function as permeation enhancers and local vasodilators, providing improved oral transmucosal absorption of the cannabinoids.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating or preventing the progression of hyperammonemia caused by a Urea Cycle Disorder, the method comprising administration of an effective amount of porous activated carbon particles, wherein the porous activated carbon particles are enteric-coated in order to control their release and adsorption properties. The porous activated carbon particles or microspheres can initially be coated with lactulose, followed by enterically coating the lactulose-covered carbon particles. The inventive method and composition provides a safe and uncomplicated reduction of ammonia levels in affected children.

Abstract: A respiratory interface apparatus and method for treating a patient requiring continuous positive pressure ventilation is provided. The interface can create a cylindrical stream of air, or vortex, which forms a respiratory seal with the nostrils of the patient for the transmission of pressurized air therethrough. The vortex air seal is created by annular flow nozzles which tangentially direct pressurized air in a cylindrical pattern extending into the nostrils of the patient. A separate, continuous flow of pressurized air is then transmitted through the cylindrical air seal and into the patient's airway. The air seal which is created allows the patient to receive pressurized air without having to wear a tight fitting mask. The inventive interface can include air pressure sensors and/or microprocessors for tailoring therapy to a particular patient, and can be connected to a standard CPAP machine and delivery tubing for respiratory therapy previously requiring an air-tight seal with the patient.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed for optimizing sperm survival and function for couples suffering from male infertility by stimulating and increasing the female sexual partner's vaginal lubrication. An increased amount of vaginal transudate is produced in the female by the topical vulval application of a composition containing menthol or a related cooling compound. The resulting increased amount of vaginal transudate can support the function and viability of the spermatozoa in the hostile vaginal environment and ultimately in the cervical mucus to both capacitate sperm in vivo and to provide a medium for gradient sperm differentiation in the vagina and cervix. The inventive composition and method provides a means to compensate for male infertility caused by abnormal semen quality in order for a couple to successfully achieve conception.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed for optimizing sperm survival and function for couples suffering from male infertility by stimulating and increasing the female sexual partner's vaginal lubrication. An increased amount of vaginal transudate is produced in the female by the topical vulval application of a composition containing menthol or a related cooling compound. The resulting increased amount of vaginal transudate can support the function and viability of the spermatozoa in the hostile vaginal environment and ultimately in the cervical mucus to both capacitate sperm in vivo and to provide a medium for gradient sperm differentiation in the vagina and cervix. The inventive composition and method provides a means to compensate for male infertility caused by abnormal semen quality in order for a couple to successfully achieve conception.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed for treating orgasmic disorder in a female subject. The composition is a topical medicament containing tadalafil, menthol, and 1-arginine. The composition typically further comprises an extended release mucoadhesive polymer, and is used for topical application to the clitoris and genital tissues of a human female suffering from orgasmic disorder, which includes difficulty achieving orgasm and anorgasmia. Topical application of the inventive composition to the clitoral mucous membranes and other female genital tissues affects vasodilation and clitoral erection tier an extended period of time and compensates for low testosterone levels in a female subject.

Abstract: A method and composition for substituting menthol or a menthol related compound for parabens as a preservative agent in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention provides a means to make cosmetic and pharmaceutical products saber and more marketable by removing all parabens and relying on the antibiotic properties of menthol, or menthol derivatives, to provide antibiotic preservative functions.

Abstract: A vascularized autograft created by an autograft-forming apparatus and method, for surgical staple line reinforcement to prevent post-operative staple line leaks following a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss. Staple line reinforcement includes creating and positioning a vascularized autograft simultaneous with the gastric transection and serial stapling portions of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) procedure. An array of autograft-forming elements can be included in the staple lines of an LSG stapling device to create multiple autograft plugs between the staples and allow normal, unionized healing of tissue along the staple line.

Abstract: A trocar assembly for providing a pressurized insufflation fluid into a patient cavity and for providing sealable access to the patient cavity by a surgical instrument. The assembly comprises an inner tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. An outer tubular member is disposed about the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the inner tubular member and the distal end of the outer tubular member define a trocar seal nozzle arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A method and composition is herein described to modulate the circadian rhythm to effect summer metabolism and the metabolic syndrome. The method entails the once daily, timed ingestion of a dopamine precursor or a dopamine agonist, receptor primed with caffeine, and vitamin D3.

Abstract: A method to effectively treat the adverse events of ingested orlistat, and to maintain the effectiveness of ingested orlistat, the method comprising the steps of: ingesting a compound of orlistat to irreversibly bind with lipase enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract; ingesting a compound of simethicone to cause undigested fats to remain in an emulsified state in the bowel; and ingesting an enteric coated activated charcoal member to absorb emulsified fats only in the lower bowel, thus preventing the adverse events associated with the ingestion of orlistat alone.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes an upper thrust bearing and a lower thrust bearing for an engine assembly of a vehicle and which, are preferably, identically configured. The thrust bearings each include an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, and each includes a pair of axially spaced flanges extending radially outwardly of the bearing shells. The flanges may be formed as one piece with the bearing shell, and one flange is thicker than the other flange. The thicker flanges are load bearing and preferably contoured, whereas the thinner flanges are not. The bearings are installed with the thick flange of each bearing matched radially opposite the thin flange of the companion bearing to minimize fatigue and failure normally attributed to repeated seating and unseating of bearing assemblies having flanges of equal thickness caused by changing bending loads imparted by a shaft.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode composed of a salt, a cathode insulated from the anode and a non-aqueous electrolyte in contact with the anode. The electrolyte may include an organic solvent that comprises at least approximately one percent by volume trimethylene carbonate.

Abstract: A surgical access device is provided having a surgical access port. The surgical access port has an elongated body with opposed proximal and distal end portions, and defines a longitudinal axis. The body has a central lumen extending therethrough and includes a resilient bulb portion formed between the proximal and distal end portions of the body. The resilient bulb portion is adapted and configured to transition, through engagement with an insertion device, between a first condition in which the bulb portion has a first diameter and a first length and a second condition in which the bulb portion has a second diameter and a second length for insertion and removal through a patient's abdominal wall, and to be retained in place therethrough. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the second length is greater than the first length.

Abstract: A method to effectively treat the adverse events of ingested orlistat, and to maintain the effectiveness of ingested orlistat, the method comprising the steps of: ingesting a compound of orlistat to irreversibly bind with lipase enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract; ingesting a compound of simethicone to cause undigested fats to remain in an emulsified state in the bowel; and ingesting an enteric coated activated charcoal member to absorb emulsified fats only in the lower bowel, thus preventing the adverse events associated with the ingestion of orlistat alone.

Abstract: A pencil cap is described, as a lightweight baseball style cap having a crown and a bill and a 2-inch by 4-inch strip of reclosable fastener hook material attached to the side of the crown and a separate 1-inch by 0.75 elastic style reclosable fastener loop material sleeve. The positioning of the reclosable fastener hook material strip is 1.5 inches above the bottom ridgeline and located on either the left or right side of the crown to accommodate left hand or right hand use. The reclosable fastener hook material strip is used as a contact point to attach the reclosable fastener elastic style loop material sleeve. The sleeve is affixed around a standard carpenter pencil. The pencil cap with the reclosable fastener strip and reclosable fastener sleeve is used for convenient external storage and location of the carpenter pencil for use by carpenters, painters, plumbers, construction workers, draftsmen and the like.

Abstract: A medicament to decrease the adverse events of Olistat, an oral lipase inhibitor, arranged in combination with Olistat, comprising: an emulsifier, a bowel relaxant and one or more chelating agents to absorb and mechanically agitate non-digested fats.

Abstract: The device described is a minimally-invasive surgical cannula that houses a miniature camera initially positioned at the inferior aspect of the distal cannula. Once indwelling in the operative space, the distal cannula ring is rotated 180° via a longitudinal pivot to reposition the camera superiorly. Repositioned, the camera is at a distance of twice the OD (OD) of the cannula. The manipulable cannula camera allows both minimally invasive operative instrumentation and superior operative vision via a single operative cannula.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool has a spirally arranged series of blocks, with each block having a magnet and at least one magnetic flux sensor. An axially extending support may be provided which terminates in mounts and the series of blocks may be mounted between the mounts. The support may be arranged so as to permit bending of said series of blocks but resist torsion of said series of blocks. A supporting tendon may extend from a second of the mounts through a first opening in each block around a tendon supporting pulley of the first of the mounts and back through a second opening in each block to the second mount. A compression spring surrounding each arm of the tendon between the tendon support and the series of blocks. The magnet of each block may be arranged such that a like pole of each magnet is at one side of the series of blocks. The poles of each magnet may be longitudinally elongated and the longitudinally elongated poles may be directed along an axis of said tool.