Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid infusate for the chronic vascular infusion of a hydrophobic biologically-active compound, such as cyclosporin, comprising a solution of a therapeutically-effective amount of the biologically-active compound in a mixture of about 10-80% glycerol and about 90-20% ethanol, by volume.

Abstract: A method of preventing the precipitation of proteins, such as hormone preparations, within drug delivery systems that depend on the fluidity of the infusate for proper function. A polyol, such as glycerol, is mixed with the protein solution prior to the introduction of the solution into the drug delivery system. The polyol is added in amount sufficient to prevent precipitation of the protein during long-term storage in the drug delivery device. According to one form of usage, the protein-polyol solution is injected to the pressurized drug storage reservoir of an implanted infusion pump by injection through the patient's skin. As the solution is discharged from the delivery device by the constant pressure exerted upon the storage chamber, its low rate of flow is controlled by a restricted fluid passage. The solution is conveyed to an infusion site and diluted by the blood stream.

Abstract: A method of preventing the precipitation of hormone preparations within drug delivery systems that depend on the fluidity of the infusate for proper function. A non-toxic water soluble detergent is dissolved in the hormone solution prior to the introduction of the solution into the drug delivery system. The detergent is added in amount sufficient to prevent precipitation of the hormone during long-term storage in the drug delivery device. According to one form of usage, the hormone-detergent solution is charged to the pressurized drug storage chamber of an implanted infusion pump by injection through the patient's skin. As the solution is discharged from the delivery device by the constant pressure exerted upon the storage chamber, its low rate of flow is controlled by a restricted fluid passage. The solution is conveyed to an infusion site and diluted by the blood stream.