Abstract: In a flexible container, there is provided three or more approximately rectangular main sheets, and a rectangular inlet sheet and outlet sheet are provided on an imaginary line passing through approximately the central part in the width direction of each of the main sheets. One end of each of the inlet sheet and the outlet sheet in the direction along the imaginary line is sewed to an end of the main sheet corresponding to the one end, and the other end of each of the inlet sheet and the outlet sheet is projected away from the main sheet in the direction along the imaginary line. The imaginary lines of assembly sheets each constituted by the three types of sheets conform to one another, opposed surfaces of the adjacent assembly sheets are joined to each other, and outer side edges of the adjacent assembly sheets are sewed together.

Abstract: A conjugate formed by the covalent bonding of a prostaglandin or a similar compound thereto and a polysaccharide. The prostaglandin is selected from prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2.alpha., prostaglandin I2, carbacycline and iloprost and the polysaccharide is selected from pluran, amylose, amylopectin, cellulose, dextran and hydroxyethylated starch.

Abstract: A neural network structure includes input units for receiving input data, and a plurality of neural networks connected in parallel and connected to the input units. The plurality of neural networks learn in turn correspondence between the input data and teacher data so that the difference between the input data and the teacher becomes small. The neural network structure further includes output units connected to the plurality of neural networks, for outputting a result of learning on the basis of the results of learning in the plurality of neural networks.

Abstract: A multilayer granule of the invention comprises a core, a slow-release layer, a rapid-release layer to be provided outer of said slow-release layer and a film layer containing a metal stearate and being deposited between the slow-release layer and the rapid-release layer. A pharmacologically effective component is kept to discharge for long.

Abstract: A smoothing method and a smoothing apparatus for smoothing a contour of a dot pattern of a character extract a contour of a dot pattern of a character to be smoothened, smoothen the contour of the dot pattern, and carry out a rectilinear interpolation and a corner rounding process on a smoothened contour which is obtained after the contour is smoothened. The process of smoothing the contour includes a step of extracting corner points of the contour of the dot pattern, and a step of determining each position of curve points of each object corner point based on the direction and distance of each object corner point from other corner points before and after the object corner point for each of the extracted corner points, where the curve points constitute the smoothened contour of the character.

Abstract: A peroral preparation of an acid-unstable compound comprises (1) a core containing the acid-unstable compound, (2) a first layer, coated on the core, comprising a hardly water-soluble, film-forming material and fine particles of a hardly water-soluble substance, suspended in the material, and (3) a second layer, coated on the first layer, of enteric film. The acid-unstable compound is a benzimidazole compound.

Abstract: A sustained-release drug preparation comprises a water-soluble drug, a lipidic substance and an oil as its essential components. The drug level in the blood is sustained at a preferable concentation for a long period of time.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object imaging method is implemented on a computer for imaging an object. The three-dimensional object imaging method includes the steps of irradiating ultrasonic waves having two mutually different frequencies on the object which is to be imaged, measuring sound pressures of scattering waves from the object so as to obtain two acoustical holography images thereof, and obtaining a three-dimensional shape of the object based on a phase error between the two acoustical holography images.

Abstract: A granule of drug to remain in the stomach comprises a core comprising a pharmaceutically effective ingredient, a foaming layer coated on said core and an expansive film coated on said layer.

Abstract: A hollow particulate for gastric medicines and other durable medicines suspendable in the gastric juice and remainable in the stomach for a long period of time is provided which has been prepared by dissolving ethylcellulose in a lower chlorinated hydrocarbon, or a mixed solution of the lower chlorinated hydrocarbon and a lower chlorofluorinated hydrocarbon and/or water, so that the concentration of ethylcellulose is 0.5 - 4% by weight on the basis of the total weight of the resulting solution, and then spray-drying the solution at an inlet temperature of higher than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid therapeutic preparation for gastric diseases, remaining in stomach for a long period of time and gradually releasing pharmacologically active ingredient contained therein into gastric juice while remaining in stomach, is provided which has been prepared by impregnation of the active ingredient together with other suitable additives into a body of empty globular shell or a granular lump in small size of the material having high buoyancy. The persisting effect of the active ingredient in stomach is thus attained.