U.S. patent application number 12/035438 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for novel burn treatment composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to Healing Skin LLC. Invention is credited to Wanda Fontaine, Diane Madfes, Irwin Palefsky, Ni'kita Wilson.
Application Number | 20080206371 12/035438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39716182 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080206371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fontaine; Wanda ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
NOVEL BURN TREATMENT COMPOSITION
Abstract
The invention is directed to a novel topical burn treatment
compositions comprising a silicone containing compound, a Vitamin E
compound and a local anesthetic. and their use in treating topical
burns.
Inventors: |
Fontaine; Wanda;
(Bloomfield, NJ) ; Madfes; Diane; (Greenwich,
CT) ; Palefsky; Irwin; (Plainview, NJ) ;
Wilson; Ni'kita; (Union, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHERYL H AGRIS PHD
PO BOX 806
PELHAM
NY
10803
US
|
Assignee: |
Healing Skin LLC
Commack
NY
|
Family ID: |
39716182 |
Appl. No.: |
12/035438 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60891158 |
Feb 22, 2007 |
|
|
|
60947478 |
Jul 2, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/744 ;
424/764; 514/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 17/02 20180101;
A61K 47/24 20130101; A61K 36/28 20130101; A61K 31/355 20130101;
A61K 36/00 20130101; A61K 36/886 20130101; A61K 36/886 20130101;
A61K 9/0014 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/28 20130101;
A61K 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/744 ;
514/458; 424/764 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/355 20060101
A61K031/355; A61K 36/886 20060101 A61K036/886; A61K 36/28 20060101
A61K036/28; A61P 17/02 20060101 A61P017/02 |
Claims
1. A topical composition comprising (a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a
silicone compound and (b) one or more anesthetics selected from the
group consisting of esters, amides and ethers.
2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silicone
compound is selected from the group consisting of dimethicone and
cyclopentasiloxane polysilicone-11.
3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said anesthetic is
lidocaine.
4. The composition according to claim 1, which further comprises a
surfactant, a more chelating agent, a bisabolol, a dispersing
agent, an emulsifier, an emollient, a pH stabilizing agent and/or a
biological additive.
5. The topical composition according to claim 1, which further
comprises a biological additive.
6. The composition according to claim 8, wherein said biological
additive is selected from the group consisting of aloe, Arnica,
Chamomila and Calendula.
7. The composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition
comprises TABLE-US-00004 substance % By Weight Silicone compound
0.1-10% Vitamin E compound .05-5% Anesthetic 0.5-10% Biological
additive(s) 0.01-10 Emulsifier(s) 0.1-15 Emollient(s) 0.5-25
Chelator 0.02-2.0 Dispersing agent 0.05-5.0 bisabolol 0.0001-1.0
Polyol 0.1-10%
8. A topical aqueous composition comprising a Vitamin E compound,
an anesthetic selected from the group consisting of esters, amides
and ethers, a silicone compound, a surfactant, a chelating agent, a
bisabolol, a dispersing agent, an emulsifier, one or more
emollients, a pH stabilizing agent and a biological additive.
9. A method for obtaining the composition according to claim 8
comprising (a) combining an polyol with a chelating agent,
dispersing agent in water to obtain a first mixture; (b) combining
an emollient, emulsifier, a silicone compound, and Vitamin E
compound to obtain a second mixture; (c) adding the second mixture
obtained in step (b) to the first mixture obtained in step (a) to
obtain a third mixture; (d) providing an aqueous solution of an
anesthetic; (e) adding the anesthetic of step (d) to the third
mixture obtained in step (c) to obtain a fourth mixture; (f) adding
a biological additive and surfactant to the fourth mixture obtained
in step (e) and (g) stabilizing the pH of the mixture obtained in
step (f) to obtain said composition.
10. A method for obtaining the composition of claim 1, comprising
combining a silicone compound and Vitamin E compound in an
oleophilic phase to obtain a first mixture and adding an aqueous
solution of an anesthetic to said first mixture to obtain said
composition.
11. (canceled)
12. A method for obtaining the composition according to claim 11
comprising combining a silicone compound and Vitamin E compound in
an oleophilic phase to obtain a first mixture and adding an aqueous
solution of an anesthetic to said first mixture to obtain a third
mixture and adding Arnica to said third mixture to obtain said
composition.
13. A method for treating a burn in a subject in need thereof
comprising topically administering to a subject in need thereof an
amount of the composition according to claim 1.
14. (canceled)
15. A composition comprising arnica or chamomilla, a silicone
compound, a Vitamin E compound and an anesthetic selected from the
group consisting of esters, amides and ethers.
16. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e)
from application Ser. No. 60/891,158, filed Feb. 22, 2007 and
application Ser. No. 60/947,478 filed Jul. 2, 2007, the contents of
each (appln. Ser. Nos. 60/891,158 and 60/947,478) of which are
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is directed to a novel topical burn treatment
compositions and their use in treating topical burns. These
compositions may comprise a silicone containing compound, a Vitamin
E compound and a local anesthetic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Skin burns result in dyskeratotic cells, spongiosis,
vacuolation of keratinocytes and edema from capillary leakage. As a
consequence, skin burns may be very painful. Furthermore, blisters
may develop and scabs and scars may result.
[0004] One treatment that has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,562,326 involves administering a composition comprising an
anesthetic (e.g., tetracaine) and a surfactant (e.g., sodium lauryl
sulfate).
[0005] Another treatment disclosed in EP 0446225B 1 discloses the
use of lidocaine to treat burns by systemic administration. There
is a significant emphasis on treating internal injuries. There is
no disclosure with respect to topical administration.
[0006] Jellish et al., 1999, Annals of Surgery 229:115-120 compares
the effectiveness of lidocaine-prilocaine cream with bupivacaine.
These preparations have been found to provide some relief.
[0007] Brofeldt et al., 1989, J. Burn Care Rehabil. 10:63-8
discloses the use of 5% lidocaine cream for the treatment of
partial-thickness burns.
[0008] There is a need for a topical burn treatment composition
that may relieve pain at the burn site and will facilitate healing
of the skin at the burn site. It is an object of the invention to
provide a composition for treatment of burns that will have an
analgesic, anesthetic and repairing effect at the site of the
burn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention is directed to a topical composition
comprising (a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a silicone compound and
(c) one or more anesthetics selected from the group consisting of
esters, amides and ethers. In a particular embodiment the invention
is directed to a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a silicone oil and (c)
lidocaine. In a more particular embodiment, the composition is an
aqueous composition. In a most particular embodiment, the
composition is a cream.
[0010] The invention is further directed to obtaining said
composition. This method includes the following steps: combining a
silicone compound and Vitamin E compound in an oleophilic system to
obtain a first mixture and adding an aqueous solution of an
anesthetic to said first mixture to obtain said composition.
[0011] The composition may further comprise a biological additive,
which may include but is not limited to an aloe compound, Arnica,
Calendula and/or Chamomilla. In one particular embodiment, the
topical composition comprises: (a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a
silicone compound; (c) one or more anesthetics selected from the
group consisting of esters, amides and ethers and (d) a biological
additive. In a more particular embodiment, the topical composition
comprises: (a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a silicone oil; (c)
lidocaine and (d) a biological additive that includes Arnica, but
may also include aloe, Calendula and/or Chamomilla. This
composition may be obtained by combining a silicone compound and
Vitamin E compound in an water to obtain a first mixture and adding
an aqueous solution of an anesthetic to said first mixture to
obtain a third mixture and adding Arnica to said third mixture to
obtain said composition. The composition may also further comprise
an, an emollient, an emulsifier, a surfactant, a chelator, a
biological additive, a dispersing agent, polyol, bisabolol and/or a
pH stabilizing agent. In a particular embodiment, the composition
of the present invention comprises a Vitamin E compound, polyol, an
anesthetic, a silicone compound, a chelating agent, a bisabolol, a
dispersing agent, an emulsifier, one or more emollients, a pH
stabilizing agent and a biological additive. In a more particular
embodiment, the composition comprises
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I substance % By Weight Silicone compound
0.1-10% Vitamin E compound .05-5% Anesthetic 0.5-10% Biological
additive(s) 0.01-10 Emulsifier(s) 0.1-15 Emollient(s) 0.5-25
Chelator 0.02-2.0 Dispersing agent 0.05-5.0 bisabolol 0.0001-1.0
Polyol 0.1-10%
[0012] This composition may be obtained using the following
procedure: [0013] (a) combining a polyol with a chelating agent,
dispersing agent in water to obtain a first mixture; [0014] (b)
combining an emulsifier, emollient, a silicone compound, and
Vitamin E compound to obtain a second mixture; [0015] (c) adding
the second mixture obtained in step (b) to the first mixture
obtained in step (a) to obtain a third mixture; [0016] (d)
providing an aqueous solution of an anesthetic; [0017] (e) adding
the anesthetic of step (d) to the third mixture obtained in step
(c) to obtain a fourth mixture; [0018] (f) adding a biological
additive and surfactant to the fourth mixture obtained in step (e)
and [0019] (g) stabilizing the pH of the mixture obtained in step
(f) to obtain said composition.
[0020] In an even more particular embodiment, the topical
composition of the present invention comprises a Vitamin E
compound, lidocaine, a silicone oil, one or more biological
additives such as Arnica and optionally Calendula, Chamomila and/or
an aloe compound, a surfactant, a chelating agent, a bisabolol, a
dispersing agent, an emulsifier, one or more emollients, a pH
stabilizing agent and a biological additive.
[0021] The topical compositions of the present invention may be
used to treat burns, particularly skin burns in a subject. Thus the
compounds in said composition are present in amounts effective to
treat said burns. In a related aspect, the invention is directed to
a method for treating a burn in a subject comprising topically
administering to a subject in need thereof an amount of the
composition effective to treat said burn. In a further related
aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a silicone
compound, Vitamin E compound, anesthetic and optionally surfactant,
a chelating agent, a bisabolol, a dispersing agent, an emulsifier,
one or more emollients, a pH stabilizing agent and a biological
additive for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a minor
burn in a subject.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening
value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The
upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be
included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the
invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated
range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,
ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also
included in the invention.
[0023] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, the preferred methods and materials are now
described.
[0024] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "and" and "the" include plural
references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0025] As noted above, the compositions of the present invention
are topical compositions and in a particular embodiment topical
compositions for treating skin burns. As defined herein "treating
skin burns" means modulating pain, inflammation, reddening,
swelling of the skin, which may be accompanied by a rash or
sores.
[0026] As noted above, the composition of the present invention
comprises (a) a Vitamin E compound; (b) a silicone compound and (c)
one or more anesthetics selected from the group consisting of
esters, amides and ethers.
[0027] The Vitamin E compound includes but is not limited to
tocopherol, a tocopherol ester such as tocopheryl acetate,
tocopheryl succinate, tocopheryl nicotinate, tocopheryl linoleate
or a mixture thereof. In a specific embodiment, the Vitamin E
compound is tocopherol acetate. The Vitamin E compound may be
present in an amount of about 0.05-5%, preferably about 0.1% to
about 4%, more preferably about 0.5% to about 3%.
[0028] The silicone compound may in a particular embodiment may be
a silicone oil. As defined herein "a silicone oil" includes but is
not limited to water soluble or water insoluble volatile or
non-volatile silicone oils. The term "volatile" means that the
silicone has a measureable vapor pressure, i.e. a vapor pressure of
at least 2 mm. of mercury at 20.degree. C. If volatile, the
silicone generally will have a viscosity of about 0.5 to 25
centistokes at 25.degree. C. Suitable volatile silicones include
cyclic silicones, linear silicones, or mixtures thereof. Examples
of cyclic silicones include but are not limited to
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,
hexamethyldisiloxane, cyclomethicone and mixtures thereof. The
silicone may also be nonvolatile, and in particular water insoluble
nonvolatile silicones. The term "nonvolatile" means that the
silicone has a vapor pressure of less than 2 mm. of mercury at
20.degree. C. A variety of silicones fit this definition including
dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, diphenyl dimethicone, hexadecyl
methicone, stearoxydimethicone, stearyl dimethicone and cetyl
dimethicone, silicone elastomers and polymers. In a particular
embodiment, the silicone oil may be dimethicone and may also
optionally include cyclomethicone. The silicone compound is present
in an amount of 0.1-10%, preferably about 1% to about 8%, more
preferable about 2% to about 7%. The anesthetic used in the
compositions of the present invention is a topical anesthetic,
which are esters, ethers or amides. Esters include but are not
limited to tetracaine, benzocaine, proparacaine, procaine, and
propoxycain. Amides include but are not limited to dibucaine and
lidocaine. Ethers include but are not limited to dyclonine and
promazine. In a specific embodiment, the anesthetic is lidocaine.
The anesthetic is present in an amount of 0.5-10%, preferably about
1% to about 8%, more preferable about 1% to about 4%.
[0029] The composition may optionally further comprise a biological
additive. which as defined herein as any compound obtained from a
natural source, including but not limited to plants, animals,
bacteria and yeast, which has a medicinal effect when applied to
the skin. Examples include but are not limited to aloe compounds
(e.g., aloe barbadensis and aloe vera in various forms such as
juice and gel), Arnica (e.g., Arnica montana) (e.g., flower
extract) in the form of either liquid or powder and Chamomila
(e.g., in extract form), Calendula (e.g. in extract form) in liquid
or extract form. The aloe generally comprises from 0.0001% to about
5.00%, preferably 0.001% to about 3.00%, more preferably about
0.05% to about 2.00% by weight of the composition of the present
invention; Arnica generally comprises from about 0.0001% to about
5.00%, preferably 0.001% to about 3.00%, more preferably about
0.05% to about 2.00% by weight of the composition of the present
invention; Chamomila comprises from about 0.0001% to about 5.00%,
preferably from about 0.001% to about 3.00%, more preferably about
0.05% to about 2.00%; Calendula comprises from about 0.0001% to
about 5.00%, preferably from about 0.001% to about 3.00%, more
preferably about 0.05% to about 2.00% by weight of the composition
of the present invention; The compositions of the present invention
may further comprise bisabolol. Bisabolol may be synthetically
produced or derived from chamomile and is commercially available
from a variety of sources. Bisabolol generally comprises from
0.0001% to about 5.00%, preferably 0.005% to about 3.00%, more
preferably about 0.02% to about 1.00%% by weight of the composition
of the present invention.
[0030] The compositions of the present invention may further
comprise one or more emulsifiers that are capable of forming an
emulsion of the discontinuous and continuous phases. A wide variety
of non-ionic or anionic emulsifiers of emulsifiers are useful
herein and include but are not limited to sorbitan ester, glyceryl
esters, polyglyceryl esters, methyl glucose esters, sucrose esters,
ethoxylated fatty alcohols, hydrogenated castor oil ethoxylates,
sorbitan ester ethoxylates, polymeric emulsifiers, soap systems and
silicone emulsifiers. In a specific embodiment, the emulsifier may
include but is not limited to cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol,
behentrimonium methosulfate cetearyl alcohol and/or behenyl
alcohol. The emulsifier generally comprises from 0.1% to about 15%,
preferably 1.0% to about 12%, more preferably about 2.0% to about
10% by weight of the composition of the present invention.
[0031] A further ingredient of the composition of the present
invention is an emollient. As defined herein, an "emollient" is a
material that protects against wetness or irritation, softens,
soothes, supples, coats, lubricates, moisturizes, protects and/or
cleanses the skin. An example of an emollient includes but is not
limited to a silicone compound (e.g., dimethicone, cyclomethicone,
dimethicone copolyol or a mixture of cyclopentasiloxane and
dimethicone/vinyldimethicone cross polymer, cyclopentasiloxane
polysilicone), polyols such as sorbitol, glycerin propylene glycol,
ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, caprylyl glycol,
polypropylene glycol, 1,3-butane diol, hexylene glycol, isoprene
glycol, xylitol; ethylhexyl palmitate; a triglyceride such as
caprylic/capric triglyceride and a hyaluronic acid compound or salt
thereof. In a specific embodiment, the emollient is glycerin,
pentylene glycol, dimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane
polysilicone, caprylic/capric triglyceride, hyaluronic acid or salt
thereof (e.g., sodium hyaluronate). The emollient generally
comprises from 0.5% to about 25%, preferably about 2.0% to about
20%, more preferably about 5.0% to about 15.0% by weight of the
composition of the present invention.
[0032] The composition may further comprise a chelating agent, such
as EDTA or HEDTA. The chelator generally comprises from about
0.020% to about 2.0%, preferably about 0.05% to about 1.5%, more
preferably about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the composition of
the present invention.
[0033] The cosmetic composition of the present invention is
effective at pH values between pH 4 and pH 9. Preferably, the pH of
the composition is between the following pH ranges: about 5.5 and
about 6.5, about 4 to about 9, about 4 to about 8, about 4 to about
7, about 5 to about 9, about 5 to about 8, about 5 to about 7. Most
preferably, the pH is about 6. One of ordinary skill in the art may
add appropriate pH adjusting ingredients to the compositions of the
present invention to adjust the pH to an acceptable range. One
example of such a pH adjusting agent is an amino, such as
triethanolamine NaOH, KOH.
[0034] The compositions of the present invention may be in the form
of lotions, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, mousses, emollients,
ointments and pastes. These product types may comprise several
types of formulations including, but not limited to solutions,
emulsions, gels, solids, and liposomes.
[0035] These formulations preferably contain a dispersing agent
which includes but is not limited to magnesium aluminum silicate,
Bentone Gels, cellulosic gums (e.g., cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose),
beeswax (e.g., octyldodecanol beeswax). The dispersing agent
generally comprises from about 0.1% to about 5.0%, preferably 0.2%
to about 3.0%, more preferably about 0.5% to about 2.0% by weight
of the composition of the present invention.
[0036] The use of such media and agents for dermatologically active
substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any
conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active
ingredient, its use in the therapeutic compositions is
contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be
incorporated into the compositions.
[0037] The formulations further comprise a thickener. In a
particular embodiment, the thickener is a cationic surfactant such
as polyquaternium-37.
EXAMPLE
Example 1
[0038] One example of the composition of the present invention is
shown in Table II
TABLE-US-00002 NO. PHASE INCI DESIGNATION WEIGHT 1 A WATER (AQUA)
50.74 2 A DISODIUM EDTA 0.10 3 A PENTYLENE GLYCOL 3.00 4 A CETYL
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE 0.25 5 A GLYCERIN 1.35 6 B CETEARYL ALCOHOL
CETEARETH-20 4.00 7 B DIMETHICONE 0.50 8 B OCTYLDODECANOL BEESWAX
0.50 9 B CYCLOPENTASILOXANE 1.00 POLYSILICONE-11 B STEARYL ALCOHOL
0.50 10 B #N/A 5.00 11 B BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE 4.00 CETEARYL
ALCOHOL 12 B CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE 3.00 13 B BISABOLOL 0.10
14 B TOCOPHERYL ACETATE 2.00 B BEHENYL ALCOHOL 0.50 15 B CAPRYLYL
GLYCOL 0.80 16 C LIDOCAINE HCL 4.00 17 C WATER (AQUA) 10.00 18 D
ALOE VERA GEL 1.00 19 D ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER 1.00 EXTRACT ISI 20 D
CHAMOMILA RECUTITA 0.50 (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT ACTIVE ORGANICS
21 D CALENDULA EXTRACT 0.50 22 D SODIUM HYALURONATE 2.00 23 D
ETHYLHEXYL GLYCERIN 1.00 24 E POLYQUATERNIUM-37 2.03 25 E 20% NAOH
0.64
[0039] Phase "A" water is heated to 75.degree. C. Natrasol, a
thickening agent, is dispersed and is mixed with water for one
hour. Remaining phase A ingredients are added. Phase B ingredients
are combined and then mixed together at 75.degree. C.; these
ingredient are then mixed with Phase A ingredients to form (A+B).
(A+B) is subsequently cooled to 30 C. Phase C ingredients are mixed
together and then added to (A+B) to obtain (A+B+C). Phase D
compounds are added one at a time. The pH is stabilized by adding
NaOH.
Example 2
[0040] One example of the composition of the present invention is
shown in Table II
TABLE-US-00003 NO. PHASE INCI DESIGNATION WEIGHT 1 A WATER (AQUA)
50.70 2 A DISODIUM EDTA 0.10 3 A PENTYLENE GLYCOL 3.00 4 A CETYL
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE 0.25 5 A GLYCERIN 1.35 6 B CETEARYL ALCOHOL
CETEARETH-20 4.00 7 B DIMETHICONE 0.50 8 B OCTYLDODECANOL BEESWAX
0.50 9 B CYCLOPENTASILOXANE 1.00 POLYSILICONE-11 10 B CROCADOL S95
0.50 11 B CYCLOPENTASILOXANE 5.00 12 B BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
4.00 CETEARYL ALCOHOL 13 B CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE 3.00 14 B
BISABOLOL 0.10 15 B TOCOPHERYL ACETATE 2.00 16 B BEHENYL ALCOHOL
0.50 17 B CAPRYLYL GLYCOL 0.80 18 C LIDOCAINE HCL 4.00 19 C WATER
(AQUA) 10.00 20 D ALOE VERA GEL 1.00 21 D ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER
EXTRACT 1.00 ISI 22 D CHAMOMILA RECUTITA 0.50 (MATRICARIA) FLOWER
EXTRACT ACTIVE ORGANICS 23 D SODIUM HYALURONATE 2.00 24 D
ETHYLHEXYL GLYCERIN 1.00 25 E POLYQUATERNIUM-37 2.03 26 E 20% NAOH
1.18
[0041] Phase "A" water is heated to 75.degree. C. Natrasol, a
thickening agent, is dispersed and is mixed with water for one
hour. Remaining phase A ingredients are added. Phase B ingredients
are combined and then mixed together at 75.degree. C.; these
ingredient are then mixed with Phase A ingredients to form (A+B).
(A+B) is subsequently cooled to 30 C. Phase C ingredients are mixed
together and then added to (A+B) to obtain (A+B+C). Phase D
compounds are added one at a time. The mixture is homogenized for
two minutes at 3000 rpm.
[0042] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be
limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed,
since these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several
aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended
to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various
modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and
described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also
intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0043] Various references are cited herein, the disclosures of
which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
* * * * *