Abstract: A sampling apparatus for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples is disclosed, such sampling apparatus being particularly useful in connection with dissolution testing of various products. The apparatus includes a plurality of sampling containers each having a chamber therein for receipt of a fluid, and a drive device for simultaneously moving the plurality of sample containers to a sampling station. First fluid conduits are provided for each of the sampling containers for conducting a fluid into each of the sampling containers when the sampling containers are positioned at the sampling station, and second fluid conduits are provided for each of the sampling containers for withdrawing a sample fluid from each of the sampling containers when the sampling containers are positioned at the sampling station.

Abstract: A system for automatic feedback controlled administration of drugs (SAFCAD) is disclosed for the control of administration of drugs responsive to real-time processed physiological or pharmacological signals. Control apparatus implemented by analog, digital, or optimal-adaptive digital means is described using various combinations of proportional, integral and derivative control loop processes. A preferred digital embodiment uses optimal-adaptive, proportional-integral control which includes on-line physiological system modeling and control loop parameter tuning for the administration of anesthetics such as thiopental.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimally performing dissolution testing of pharmaceutical dosage forms, agricultural products, and components of industrial products wherein the method uses dissolution profiles from a known drug dosage form, or product, as reference data for a predictive process; and the apparatus is organized to carry out the method via both closed loop and open loop operating modes under the control of a central processor. An illustrative embodiment teaches the serial usage of the two operating modes in a single flow-through dissolution cell configuration to optimally predict the time course of in vivo bioavailability from in vitro dissolution measurements, while an alternate embodiment teaches the use of a plurality of dissolution cells and the simultaneous use of the closed and open loop operating modes to implement an Internal Standard capability. Additionally, an optimally adaptive capability is provided in the dissolution testing process via a random input modeling mode of operation.

Abstract: A system for automatic feedback controlled administration of drugs (SAFCAD) is disclosed for the control of administration of drugs responsive to real-time processed physiological or pharmacological signals. Control apparatus implemented by analog, digital, or optimal-adaptive digital means is described using various combinations of proportional, integral and derivative control loop processes. A preferred digital embodiment uses optimal-adaptive, proportional-integral control which includes on-line physiological system modeling and control loop parameter tuning for the administration of anesthetics such as thiopental.

Abstract: A dissolution cell for use in automatic dissolution testing apparatus is specially configured to accommodate the iterative insertion of product specimens into the dissolution mechanism flow stream, and to perform the specimen insertion into a stabilized flow stream with minimal insertion disturbance. A basic multiple-injection embodiment utilizes a linear configuration to selectively insert two specimens into the flow stream, and a circular multiple-injection embodiment teaches the selective insertion of a plurality of specimens into the stream in a manner amenable to a programmable sequence. Both embodiments use air evacuation of the specimen flow chamber prior to its insertion into the instrumented flow stream, and both allow a high degree of fidelity in the dissolution measurements performed. The improved cell is especially useful for testing rapidly dissolving industrial products or drug dosage forms.