Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the synthesis of unagglomerated, highly dispersed, stable core/shell nanocomposite particles comprised of preparing a reverse micelle microemulsion that contains nanocomposite particles, treating the microemulsion with a silane coupling agent, breaking the microemulsion to form a suspension of the nanocomposite particles by adding an acid/alcohol solution to the microemulsion that maintains the suspension of nanocomposite particles at a pH of between about 6 and 7, and simultaneously washing and dispersing the suspension of nanocomposite particles, preferably with a size exclusion HPLC system modified to ensure unagglomeration of the nanocomposite particles. The primary particle size of the nanocomposite particles can range in diameter from between about 1 to 100 nm, preferably from between about 10 to 50 nm, more preferably about 10 to 20 nm, and most preferably about 20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the synthesis of unagglomerated, highly dispersed, stable core/shell nanocomposite particles comprised of preparing a reverse micelle microemulsion that contains nanocomposite particles, treating the microemulsion with a silane coupling agent, breaking the microemulsion to form a suspension of the nanocomposite particles by adding an acid/alcohol solution to the microemulsion that maintains the suspension of nanocomposite particles at a pH of between about 6 and 7, and simultaneously washing and dispersing the suspension of nanocomposite particles, preferably with a size exclusion HPLC system modified to ensure unagglomeration of the nanocomposite particles. The primary particle size of the nanocomposite particles can range in diameter from between about 1 to 100 nm, preferably from between about 10 to 50 nm, more preferably about 10 to 20 nm, and most preferably about 20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the reversible anticoagulation of blood utilizing a nucleic acid ligand which binds thrombin and a reversing agent which has greater affinity for the nucleic acid ligand than does thrombin. When used with a blood sample, the nucleic acid ligand binds thrombin, preventing it from converting fibrinogen to fibrin, and thus anticoagulating the blood. Subsequently, the reversing agent may be added to the anticoagulated blood sample, and by competitive binding, replaces thrombin bound to the ligand, thus freeing the thrombin to convert fibrinogen to fibrin and allowing the blood to coagulate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bi-directional nucleic acid ligand compounds wherein at least two oligonucleotides of opposite sequence polarity are linked to a connecting compound at their same respective terminii; either the 5' terminii or the 3 ' terminii. These compounds are useful for binding protein or small molecule targets and thus may be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bi-directional nucleic acid ligand compounds wherein at least two oligonucleotides of opposite sequence polarity are linked to a connecting compound at their same respective terminii; either the 5' terminii or the 3' terminii. These compounds are useful for binding protein or small molecule targets and thus may be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol, The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly with gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a tube, which may be evacuated, and an insert therein. The insert is descendably affixed to the tube wall and, after separating a blood sample taken in the tube into solid and liquid phases, descends during centrifugation and comes to rest at the solid-liquid interface on a projection from the tube bottom. An interior surface of the assembly may be modified to render it clot activating. The invention includes a method for preparing a blood sample for analysis using the assembly.

Abstract: Method for forming blood compatible, shear sensitive gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.

Abstract: Gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes an evacuated container having an open end with a puncturable stopper therein. A receptacle in the container contains an additive and has an open end covered by a puncturable, non-resealable material.In a method for preparing a blood sample for analysis, the stopper and receptacle covering are punctured by a cannula, the cannula is partially retracted into the receptacle so that blood drawn through the cannula contacts the additive and washes it directly into the container through a hole in the covering made by the cannula.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a container, optionally covered by a puncturable septum and evacuated. A clotting enhancer in the container activates both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. The invention includes a method to make the clotting enhancer.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a tube, which may be glass or plastic, and a plastic insert therein. The insert has been plasma-treated to change the surface chemistry and render it clot activating.

Abstract: In a method to modify the chemistry of a portion of the surface of an article, the surface is placed adjacent an electrode in a plasma chamber, the distance to the wall of the chamber being at least five times the size of the electrode. A plasma of very high power density is generated in a discharge volume surrounding the electrode so that the surface area closest to the electrode receives a very intense plasma which diminishes with increasing distance from the discharge volume thus forming a chemical gradient on the article surface. The preferred article is a tube having one closed end, and the gradient may be formed from either the closed end or the open end. The gradient may be of decreasing glass-like character or decreasing plastic-like character.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a container, optionally covered by a puncturable septum and evacuated. A clotting enhancer in the container activates both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways.

Abstract: An evacuated blood collection assembly includes a plastic container having a plasma-treated inside wall surface and an open end covered by a puncturable septum. The inside wall surface may also be abraded to increase surface area. The invention included a method to make the assembly.

Abstract: A blood collection container is coated on its inside wall with a unitarily immobilized clotting activator. The activator may be applied to the surface by an adhesive or by rendering the inside wall surface sticky with a solvent and partially absorbing the activator into the sticky surface.

Abstract: In a method to modify the chemistry of a portion of the surface of an article, the surface is placed adjacent an electrode in a plasma chamber, the distance to the wall of the chamber being at least five times the size of the electrode. A plasma of very high power density is generated in a discharge volume surrounding the electrode so that the surface area closest to the electrode receives a very intense plasma which diminishes with increasing distance from the discharge volume thus forming a chemical gradient on the article surface. The preferred article is a tube having one closed end, and the gradient may be formed from either the closed end or the open end. The gradient may be of decreasing glass-like character or decreasing plastic like character.

Abstract: A glass or plastic article, preferably a blood collection tube, has two or more surface regions of different surface chemistry. One region is substantially glass-like and another region is substantially plastic-like. If the tube is glass, a region of the tube adjacent the tube bottom is plastic-like. If the tube is plastic, a region of the tube adjacent the mouth of the tube is be glass-like.

Abstract: An additive for a blood collection tube has a wettable surface region and a nonwettable surface region. When a blood sample comes into contact with the wettable surface region, the clotting cascade is initiated. Clot material adheres to the nonwettable surface region. The additive thereby becomes part of the clot and, on centrifugation, becomes part of the pellet and is removed from the serum layer. The invention includes a blood collection tube having the additive therein. The tube may be evacuated and have an open end covered with a septum.