Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for treating pulmonary disease comprising delivering directly to a patient's lungs a therapeutically effective amount of oxybutynin in combination with one or more pharmaceutically effective agents. Oxybutynin may be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, a xinafoate salt, a palmitate salt, a pamoic salt, a resonate salt, a laurate salt and other salts. The pharmaceutically effective agents comprise bronchodilators, antiinflammatories, corticosteroids, corticosteroid reversal agent or alveolar growth agents or other agents selected from proteinase or protease inhibitors.

Abstract: An inhaler for dispensing a pharmaceutical to infants and respiratory compromised patients is disclosed.

Abstract: A fantasy sports game provides for a league of fantasy teams, each managed and owned by a fantasy game player. Teams are filled through a player draft of active players followed by ranking each drafted fantasy team utilizing current season player statistics in multiple predefined categories. The rankings in the various categories are totaled to determine team, and thus fantasy game player, rankings. The player statistics utilized are current as of the previous night during regular season play, and as of the end of the season between seasons of play. The draft may be an online web application or utilize live video conferencing.

Abstract: A laboratory animal pharmaceutical testing device comprising a substantially closed animal holding cell, having a dry powder generator communicating through a wall of the cell, and one or more filtered inlets for permitting exchange of fresh air into the cell.

Abstract: A pediatric nebulizer is described.

Abstract: A fantasy sports game provides for a league of fantasy teams, each managed and owned by a fantasy game contestant. A contestant selects a set of games for a game day from a screen of such sets, pays an entry fee in points, and then drafts players from the teams playing in his selected set of games, subject to a salary cap for his team. As the games are being played and also after the games have been completed, the contestants playing against each other are ranked according to how well their players did that day, and the winning constant is awarded points for the win.

Abstract: A fantasy sports game provides for a league of fantasy teams, each managed and owned by a fantasy game player. Teams are filled through a player draft of active players followed by ranking each drafted fantasy team utilizing current season player statistics in multiple predefined categories. The rankings in the various categories are totaled to determine team, and thus fantasy game player, rankings. The player statistics utilized are current as of the previous night during regular season play, and as of the end of the season between seasons of play. The draft may be an online web application or utilize live video conferencing.

Abstract: An inhaler containing one or more vibrator mechanisms in one or more powder dispensing chambers for delivery of varying doses of a therapeutic agent or drug.

Abstract: Two or more drugs of different particle size are packaged for co-administration to the respiratory pathway.

Abstract: An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize piezoelectric materials as part of a delivery system capable of the rapidly repetitive dispensing of a fluid to an intended target site. In a particular embodiment, the appartus contemplates a solid state needleless injection system which comprises a first housing structure having a dispensing chamber of variable volume capacity and at least one nozzle element for fluid discharge, and a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the first housing structure, and a second housing structure containing at least one piezoelectric actuator. A valve means is disposed between the fluid reservoir and the dispensing chamber to control the flow of said fluid therebetween. The fluid which may be a medication, is forced out of the dispensing chamber through an injection port upon actuation of the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying an enteral or parenteral fluid to a patient is a cooperative assembly of a rotary peristaltic pump and a fluid delivery set. The peristaltic pump has (a) a housing and (b) a peristaltic rotor projecting from the housing on a rotatable drive shaft. The housing has first and second receptacles for retaining and supporting the fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set has (a) a drip chamber, or sight chamber, (b) a plurality of lengths or segments of flexible tubing, and (c) fluid connection elements therefor. The fluid delivery set defines a fluid pathway from a supply container of the enteral or parenteral fluid to a connector element adapted to be connected to a device for introducing the fluid into the patient. Preferably the fluid delivery set has a tension responsive pinch valve to prevent bolus feeding in the event that the fluid delivery set becomes displaced from the pump housing.

Abstract: A tubing connector has first and second tubular legs joined together to provide a continuous fluid pathway therethrough with the fluid pathway having a bend of about 78 to 102 degrees therein. A foreshortened retention tab extends laterally from the tubing connector at about the bend in a direction opposed to the second leg of the tubing connector. A handle extends from the tubing connector at about a right angle to both the first and second legs and the retention tab. The tubing connector may be employed as a component of a fluid delivery set used with a pump for enteral or parenteral feeding of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize piezoelectric materials as part of a delivery system capable of the rapidly repetitive dispensing of a fluid to an intended target site. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus contemplates a needleless injection system which comprises a second housing structure, a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are stacked in a layered fashion within the second housing structure, electronic circuitry disposed proximate the second housing structure and hence the layered stack of piezoelectric elements, and a first housing structure containing a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the second housing structure so as to allow fluid contained with the fluid reservoir to communicate with the layered stack of piezoelectric elements. The layered stack of piezoelectric elements has at least one common aperture formed therein which extends therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid delivery set has three lengths of flexible tubing. The first length of flexible tubing at one end is connectable to or integral with a supply container for enteral or parenteral fluid, and at the other end is connected to the inlet of a drip chamber. The second length of flexible tubing is connected at one end to the outlet of the drip chamber, and at the other end to the inlet of a retention/connector device that has about a 90.degree. bend therein. The third length of flexible tubing is connected at one end to outlet of the retention/connector device, and at the other end is connectable to or integral with a means for introducing an enteral or parenteral fluid into the body of a patient. Preferably, a tension responsive pinch valve is operatively associated with the second length of flexible tubing.