The present invention relates to a sterile pharmaceutical composition comprising tiotropium or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for inhalation via nebulization to a subject (e.g. a human). The invention also relates to a process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and its use in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject.

The present invention relates to a sterile pharmaceutical composition comprising tiotropium or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for inhalation via nebulization to a subject (e.g. a human). The invention also relates to a process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and its use in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject.

A catheter of the invention includes an elongated flexible tubular main body; a plurality of manipulation wires inserted through the tubular main body and having tips connected to a distal part of the tubular main body; a manipulation-part main body provided at a base end of the tubular main body; and a bending manipulation part. The bending manipulation part has an engagement part engaging with base ends of the manipulation wires, and individually applies pulling force to the plurality of manipulation wires through pulling operations so as to bend the distal part of the tubular main body. The bending manipulation part is provided so as to be movable with respect to the manipulation-part main body. The path lengths of the plurality of manipulation wires from the tips thereof to the engagement part are simultaneously increased or decreased when the bending manipulation part and the manipulation-part main body move relative to each other.

A catheter of the invention includes an elongated flexible tubular main body; a plurality of manipulation wires inserted through the tubular main body and having tips connected to a distal part of the tubular main body; a manipulation-part main body provided at a base end of the tubular main body; and a bending manipulation part. The bending manipulation part has an engagement part engaging with base ends of the manipulation wires, and individually applies pulling force to the plurality of manipulation wires through pulling operations so as to bend the distal part of the tubular main body. The bending manipulation part is provided so as to be movable with respect to the manipulation-part main body. The path lengths of the plurality of manipulation wires from the tips thereof to the engagement part are simultaneously increased or decreased when the bending manipulation part and the manipulation-part main body move relative to each other.

The present application relates to a method for sterilizing processed foods which effectively kills fungi, yeast, pathogenic bacteria, and sporogenic heat-resistant microorganisms by using a retort sterilization treatment comprising a microwave heating pretreatment while still maintaining the intrinsic texture of vegetables, meat and seafood and the flavors of aromatic vegetables, such as red pepper, garlic, ginger, etc. compared to conventional sterilization methods.

A method for preparing food having at least a solid food component. The method comprises, during a high-temperature, short-time stage (HTST stage), cooking a surface of the solid food component at a temperature (HTST temperature) of greater than 140 C. The method further comprises placing the food into packaging to form a sterile food package containing the food. The method also comprises, during a low-temperature, long-time stage (LTLT stage), cooking the sterile food package at a temperature (LTLT temperature) of between 40 and 100 C.

A method of packaging pre-filled medical devices is disclosed. The method comprises producing a packaging having a front panel and a back panel defining a compartment capable of holding one or more medical devices wherein at least one of the front panel or top panel has a portion containing a gas permeable material while the remaining portion of the pouch is gas impermeable. This gas permeable material allows gas to pass through the material and contact the one or more articles contained within the compartment or allows gas to pass through the gas permeable material from the inside of the compartment to the outside of the container. Upon completion of sterilization, the pouch is sealed and the gas permeable portion is cut away leaving the sterilized medical device enclosed in a completely gas impermeable pouch.

A method of packaging pre-filled medical devices is disclosed. The method comprises producing a packaging having a front panel and a back panel defining a compartment capable of holding one or more medical devices wherein at least one of the front panel or top panel has a portion containing a gas permeable material while the remaining portion of the pouch is gas impermeable. This gas permeable material allows gas to pass through the material and contact the one or more articles contained within the compartment or allows gas to pass through the gas permeable material from the inside of the compartment to the outside of the container. Upon completion of sterilization, the pouch is sealed and the gas permeable portion is cut away leaving the sterilized medical device enclosed in a completely gas impermeable pouch.

A packaging method for packaging elastomer parts, such as stoppers for pharmaceutical containers, the method including the following steps: packaging parts in at least one primary bag made of material that is substantially permeable to vapor; packaging the at least one primary bag in a substantially rigid support member so as to form a unit; vapor-sterilizing the unit; and packaging the sterilized unit in at least one secondary bag, with a vacuum being applied between the at least one primary bag and the at least one secondary bag.

The invention provides a process for preparing an aqueous pharmaceutical solution of calcium gluconate. The process comprises the steps of: (i) mixing calcium gluconate, calcium saccharate and water at a mixing temperature of 60-100? C. to form a bulk solution; (ii) filling portions of the bulk solution into containers at a filling temperature of 60-100? C.; and (iii) sealing the containers with a closure. The invention also provides a batch of containers obtainable by this process.