Abstract:
Salt formulations, which are resistant to moisture and cooking conditions, are described herein. The formulations provide particles of micronutrients and vitamins encapsulated within heat resistant pH-sensitive water-insoluble polymers, which are packaged within a salt shell. The pH-sensitive, water-insoluble, thermally stable materials stabilize the micronutrients, particularly at high temperatures, such as during food preparation and cooking, and release the micronutrients at the desired locations such as the stomach, small intestine, etc. Preferred pH-sensitive polymers release at a low pH, less than the pH present in the stomach. The particles can be used to deliver daily-recommended doses of micronutrients simultaneously with salt, eliminating the need for vitamin pills. This is particularly important in populations suffering from severe malnutrition.
Abstract:
A composition for delivering an active agent to a patient. The composition includes a polymer core encapsulating the active agent and a mucoadhesive coating disposed about the core. The polymer may include covalently linked poly(ethylene glycol) chains, and the mucoadhesive coating may be selected to facilitate transfer of the particle through the intestinal mucosa. A molecular weight and cross-link density of the polymer may be selected such that the polymer core will decompose in a predetermined time interval. The fraction of the dose of the drug entering the system at circulation during the predetermined time interval may be between about 0.25% and about 25%. The composition may be formulated as a plurality of nanoparticles or microparticles that are combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce an edible or inhalable drug product.
Abstract:
Described herein are compounds and compositions characterized, in certain embodiments, by conjugation of various groups, such as lipophilic groups, to an amino or amide group of an amino acid, a linear or cyclic peptide, a linear or cyclic polypeptide, or structural isomer thereof, to provide compounds of the present invention, collectively referred to herein as “APPLs”. Such APPLs are deemed useful for a variety of applications, such as, for example, improved nucleotide delivery. Exemplary APPLs include, but are not limited to, compounds of Formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), and (VI), and salts thereof, as described herein: wherein m, n, p, R′, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, Z, W, Y, and Z are as defined herein.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.
Abstract:
Drug-eluting devices and methods for the treatment of tumors of the pancreas, biliary system, gallbladder, liver, small bowel, or colon, are provided. Methods include deploying a drug-eluting device having a film which includes a mixture of a degradable polymer and a chemotherapeutic drug, wherein the film has a thickness from about 2 μm to about 1000 μm, into a tissue site and releasing a therapeutically effective amount of the chemotherapeutic drug from the film to treat the tumor, wherein the release of the therapeutically effective amount of the drug from the film is controlled by in vivo degradation of the polymer at the tissue site.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.
Abstract:
Poly(β-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer/polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for securing to and removing adhesive tapes from substrates, e.g., delicate substrates such as skin, are described. The methods include providing an adhesive tape comprising an adhesive layer and a support layer in contact with the adhesive layer. A first adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the support layer is, or can be controlled to be, less than a second adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the substrate. The methods further include applying the adhesive tape to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer to the substrate while the support layer remains in contact with the adhesive layer; and removing the support layer from the substrate by separating the support layer from the adhesive layer.
Abstract:
The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for the activation of species and/or the delivery of species to a target environment using harmonic generation materials are generally described.