Abstract: A system for the controlled release of an active agent to an environment of use, said system having a predetermined release rate of the active agent to the environment of use, comprising: a) a shell comprised of a wall formed of a water-insoluble material which is permeable to the passage of an external fluid, and b) a core which is surrounded by said shell, said core comprised of i) a water-soluble active agent, and ii) a soluble polymeric adjuvant capable of unlimited swelling.

Abstract: An orally administrable drug formulation containing levodopa and carbidopa, and having a short release time, is disclosed. The formulation is useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A drug formulation administrable by mouth for the treatment of central dopamine deficiency condition, said formulation comprising100 to 250 parts by weight of levodopa,10 to 25 parts by weight of carbidopa,a polymer mixture in an amount of 10 to 200% based on said drugs, said polymer mixture consisting of:0 to 100 parts by weight of a completely saponified polyvinyl alcohol having 0 to 3% residual acetyl content, a mean molecular weight of 60,000 to 80,000 and a total surface area of 0.1 m.sup.2 /g to 0.18 m.sup.2 /g, and0 to 100 parts weight of a partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol having 10 to 18% residual acetyl content, a mean molecular weight of 80,000, a total surface area of 0.5 m.sup.2 /g to 0.69 m.sup.2 /g, and a specific pore volume of 0.2 cm.sup.3 /g to 0.36 cm.sup.3 /g,and an effective amount of customary galenic adjuvants.

Abstract: The apparatus for excavating passages such as tunnels, shafts and the like, is continually and/or intermittently movable in a predetermined driving direction and contains at least one boring head, possibly, a multipart boring head. In its operative position, the boring head substantially covers the cross-section of the passage to be excavated. The boring head is constructed so as to be thrust or pressed by means of fluid-operated cylinders, tooth racks or the like against the face to be excavated. The apparatus possesses one or a number of drive units for the boring head and at least one device for removing the excavated material. There are further provided a support device for supporting the boring head in the passage and at least one drilling mount possessing a bore motor and a thrust motor for drilling anchor holes and/or blast holes and/or for placing anchors transversely to a predetermined driving direction.