Abstract: A stable suspension aerosol formulation of epinephrine is suitable for administration through inhalation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine, hydrofluorocarbon propellant, co-solvent, surfactant, and antioxidant. The suspension aerosol formulation further comprises [pre-] pre-micronized epinephrine suspended in an alcohol/surfactant solution with hydrofluoroalkane propellant. The suspension formulation provides a highly efficient delivery of drug microparticles into the respirable region of patients' lungs and has the following advantages: lower dosage requirement, minimum alcohol content, with less impurities generated during storage, improved efficacy and safety, and exhibits no ozone depleting potential compared to a formulation containing chlorofluorocarbon.

Abstract: An oil-in-water propofol emulsion that contains soybean oil and egg lecithin, which provide a source of nutrition for microorganisms. Current products include additives to act as a microbial growth retardation agent, the processes described herein detail several methods for the optimization of the innate microbial retardation capability of propofol. Using this process improves the safety of a propofol emulsion solution by controlling microbial growth without the side effects associated with growth retardation additives.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for long-term sustained release of bisphosphonate drugs are provided. In one embodiment, the composition includes an aqueous suspension of a solid which includes a salt of a bisphosphonate drug and a salt of pentavalent phosphorus oxoacid. The compositions can be used to treat a variety of bone diseases, including osteoporosis.

Abstract: A pre-filled disposable pipette (10) consisting of a hollow bulb (12) dimensioned to enclose a medicinal product. From a lower end (16) of the bulb (12) is attached sequentially a medicinal transfer tube (24) and a medication fill tube (32), from where the medicinal product is applied. Between a lower end (28) of the tube (24) and an upper end (34) of the tube (32) is formed a break-away notch (40). When the tube (24) or the tube (32) is rotated, the notch (40) is twisted and breaks-off, thus allowing the medicinal product to flow from the bulb (12) and be released from the tube (24). The pipette (10) includes a primary grasping tab (46) attached to an upper end (14) of the bulb (12); a secondary grasping tab (54) attached to each side of the tube (24); and a support tab (70) attached to each side of the tube (32). The invention also discloses several methods for sealing the lower tip (36) of the medication fill tube (32).

Abstract: A uniform small particle homogenizer for liquid product comprising a pair of intensifier cylinder pumps (20) driven by a hydraulic system (22). The pumps have a power stroke side and a suction stroke side, and a pair of proximity sensors (24) that interface with each pump to detect forward and rearward movement. A microprocessor (26) with timing capabilities controls the sequential operation of each pump with the power stroke of each pump timed to alternately produce a flow of the liquid product with a precisely timed flow overlap period from the alternating pumps. Since the power stroke takes a longer time than the suction stroke, the instant each power stroke is started the opposite pump is timed to hesitate and slightly overlap until a constant product flow-rate is produced from the alternating pumps, which eliminates large variances in pressure and therefore achieves uniformity in product particle size.

Abstract: A glass bottle protective enclosure (10) designed to protect a glass bottle (100) in the event the bottle is subjected to an impact shock. The enclosure is provided with a leak-proof seal and is particularly adapted for protecting glass bottles (100) containing toxic injectable medication. The enclosure (10), which is preferably made from a transparent plastic, consists of a lower bottle container (12) which includes a base (14) and a plurality of shock absorbing protrusions (30), which are located to allow a bottle label to be clearly visible, on the base (14) is located at least one sensor cavity (120) into which is inserted an enclosure leakage sensor (122) consisting of either a water soluble sensor (124) or an electronic sensor (126). Both of which provide an indication if a bottle leakage occurs. To complete the enclosure (10) the container (12) includes a threaded bottle container cap (36) which includes a plurality of cap shock absorbing protrusions (52).

Abstract: An improved pre-filled disposable pipette (10) consisting of a hollow tube (12) dimensioned to enclose a medicinal product and having attached a medication transfer tube (22) from where the pipette is filled and the medicinal product released. The improvement consists in having a primary grasping tab (32) attached to an upper end (14) of the bulb (12); a secondary grasping tab (38) attached to each side of the tube (22); and a support tab (52) also attached to each side of the tube (22) near the lower end (26) of the tube (22). The primary and secondary grasping tabs (32, 38) allow the pipette (10) to be conveniently and easily handled without having to grasp the sensitive bulb (12) or to directly grasp the tube (22). The support tab (52) functions to allow the pipette (10) to be placed on a conveyor rack apparatus (88) from where the pipette (10) can be automatically filled and sealed by a cap (72) or heat applied foil (82).

Abstract: A sterile, stable pharmaceutical formulations of oil-in-water emulsions of Propofol containing no preservative are provided that comprise optimal amounts of egg lecithin and soybean oil, with a suitable pH range to prevent significant growth of microorganisms for at least 24 hours after adventitious, extrinsic contamination. The lower pH in the formulation has shown the most antimicrobial activity. The reduced amount of fat in the formulation also allows chronic sedation over extended periods of time with a reduced chance of fat overload in the blood.

Abstract: A pre-filled oral liquid disposable plastic container along with its storage means are provided to deliver medication to a patient in a easy to use and sanitary manner. The plastic container (20) includes a hollow bulb portion (22) on one end and a hollow stem portion (24) on the other. A bulbous flange (26) is integrally formed onto the distal end or the hollow stem, thus permitting comfortable insertion of the container into a patient's mouth. A specified quantity of liquid medication (28) is pre-filled into the container with the container sized appropriately. The plastic in the container is colored, thereby indicating the type of liquid medication, and permitting the medication to be colorless and still maintain its identity. All of the containers have a recognizable shape on the bulb portion, such as a cylinder with spherical ends for adult medicine, or in some shape attractive to infants and small children.

Abstract: A pre-filled disposable pipette for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products which has a hollow, round pipette body (40). The body consists of a hollow, rigid bulb section (44) forming a reservoir for storage and dispersion of the liquid pharmaceutical or cosmetic product which is pre-filled within the body. The body (40) further includes a hollow tubular section (46) that is smaller in diameter and contiguous with the bulb section, for ease of handling the pipette. The preferred embodiment has a hollow, frangible upper tube (42) with a distal end that is sealed for introducing air into the body (40) when the seal is broken, thus releasing the liquid from the tubular section. The liquid is dispensed from the body by breaking the upper tube allowing air to enter the pipette with the liquid flowing by gravity. The second embodiment has a resilient bulb section and omits the upper tube. A tapered section (90) is added to the tubular section, with a hollow tip (86) on the end.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle capping device (10) that attaches to a hypodermic syringe (100). The device (10) consists of two separate elements: the first consists of a collar (12) having integrally attached a snap-lock structure (24) that includes a locking barb (40) and slide member retaining structure (42). The second consists of a slide member (54) which includes a barb receiving and locking slot (58) and a needle point barrier (76). The collar (12) is frictionally inserted over the upper edge (108) of the syringe (100). The slide member (54) is slidably attached to the slide member retaining structure (42) and is designed to be placed in two positions. When the syringe (100) is to be used, the slide member (54) is positioned along the side of the syringe (100).

Abstract: A transmittance-adjustable window (20) that includes first and second polarizer sheets (34B)(46B) and an actuator (44) for relative movement between them. The first sheet (34B) has a translation direction Y and is formed from an alternating series of abutting, identically-shaped linear polarizer segments A and B distributed along translation direction Y. Each segment A has a first polarizing direction and each segment B has a second polarizing direction orthogonal to the first. The second sheet (46B) is substantially identical to the first sheet (34B) and positioned in an adjacent, substantially parallel plane. The actuator (44) moves one of the sheets with respect to the other between an OPEN alignment position and an OPAQUE alignment position. In the OPEN position, each segment of the first sheet superimposes a corresponding identical segment of the second sheet which allows light to pass.