Abstract: A two-part bioactive agent delivery system, the system including a disposable part comprising an agent reservoir, a bolus chamber, the volume of the bolus chamber being less than the volume of the agent reservoir, an agent outlet, and a valve having a first position communicating the agent reservoir with the bolus chamber and a second position communicating the bolus chamber with the outlet; and a reusable part including a valve driver, a power source and control electronics, the control electronics being adapted to control the valve driver to actuate the valve to deliver bioactive agent from the agent reservoir to the agent outlet; the system further having a spring extending between the agent reservoir piston and a surface of the reusable part or of the disposable part to pressurize the agent reservoir when the spring is compressed and the agent reservoir contains a quantity of bioactive agent.

Abstract: A system and method for a vertically integrated construction business. More specifically, a system and method for employing the World Wide Web in a business that vertically integrates the concrete materials procurement, specification, submittals, quotation, testing for compliance with specifications, automated mixture optimization, and manufacturing processes in the construction industries. A relational database is provided with linked objects to create both standards-based and manufacturer-based specifications for concrete and concrete constituent materials. Concrete recipes utilizing the defined specifications are developed either prescriptively or performance-based. Standards-based basemixes that specify concrete can be instantiated into production mixes using local materials. All of the data is preferably published in XML format over the Internet, providing real-time feedback to concrete batch plants and specifiers.

Abstract: A system and method for a vertically integrated construction business. More specifically, a system and method for employing the World Wide Web in a business that vertically integrates the concrete materials procurement, specification, submittals, quotation, testing for compliance with specifications, automated mixture optimization, and manufacturing processes in the construction industries. A relational database is provided with linked objects to create both standards-based and manufacturer-based specifications for concrete and concrete constituent materials. Concrete recipes utilizing the defined specifications are developed either prescriptively or performance-based. Standards-based basemixes that specify concrete can be instantiated into production mixes using local materials. All of the data is preferably published in XML format over the Internet, providing real-time feedback to concrete batch plants and specifiers.