Abstract: A nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle that is capable of suspending an active agent. The nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle includes at least one solvent and at least one polymer and is formulated to exhibit phase separation upon contact with an aqueous environment. The at least one solvent may be selected from the group consisting of benzyl benzoate, decanol, ethyl hexyl lactate, and mixtures thereof and the at least one polymer may be selected from the group consisting of a polyester, pyrrolidone, ester of an unsaturated alcohol, ether of an unsaturated alcohol, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one solvent is benzyl benzoate and the at least one polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone. A stable, nonaqueous suspension formulation that includes the nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle and an active agent, and a method of forming the same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Catheter injectable depot compositions are provided that include a bioerodible, biocompatible polymer, a solvent having miscibility in water of less than or equal to 7 wt. % at 25° C., in an amount effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel therewith, a thixotropic agent, and a beneficial agent. The solvent comprises an aromatic alcohol, an ester of an aromatic acid, an aromatic ketone, or mixtures thereof. The compositions are have substantially improved the shear thinning behavior and reduced injection force, rendering the compositions readily implanted beneath a patient's body surface by injection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for systemically or locally administering by implantation a beneficial agent to a subject are described, and include, for example, depot gel compositions that can be injected into a desired location and which can provide controlled release of a beneficial agent over a short duration of time. The compositions include a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent having low water miscibility that forms a viscous gel with the polymer and limits water uptake by the implant, and a beneficial agent.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of a microprojection array are provided. In the methods, a formulation is introduced into cavities of a microprojection array mold by means that achieve a uniform amount of formulation retained in each cavity.

Abstract: A nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle that is capable of suspending an active agent. The nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle includes at least one solvent and at least one polymer and is formulated to exhibit phase separation upon contact with an aqueous environment. The at least one solvent may be selected from the group consisting of benzyl benzoate, decanol, ethyl hexyl lactate, and mixtures thereof and the at least one polymer may be selected from the group consisting of a polyester, pyrrolidone, ester of an unsaturated alcohol, ether of an unsaturated alcohol, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one solvent is benzyl benzoate and the at least one polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone. A stable, nonaqueous suspension formulation that includes the nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle and an active agent, and a method of forming the same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of depositing a stable diamond film on a metal substrate includes pretreating a surface of the substrate and depositing a diamond film on the substrate by way of a multi-stage chemical vapor deposition, in which each subsequent stage is performed at progressively higher temperature. The deposited diamond may be doped with boron. The substrate may be titanium, a titanium alloy, iron, an iron alloy, or any other valve metal. The diamond deposition may be a high temperature chemical vapor deposition. The first deposition stage may optionally create a carbide of diamond and substrate, and an optional mixture of diamond and amorphous carbon may be deposited to bond this carbide layer to a subsequently applied layer. The resulting product may be used as an electrode, as a tooth or blade in a cutting tool, or may have many other uses.

Abstract: Catheter injectable depot compositions are provided that include a bioerodible, biocompatible polymer, a solvent having miscibility in water of less than or equal to 7 wt. % at 25° C., in an amount effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel therewith, a thixotropic agent, and a beneficial agent. The solvent comprises an aromatic alcohol, an ester of an aromatic acid, an aromatic ketone, or mixtures thereof. The compositions have substantially improved shear thinning behavior and reduced injection force, rendering the compositions readily implanted beneath a patient's body surface by injection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for communication among different components, including integrating a Network Forwarding Component (NFC) for forwarding messages and at least one Independent Application Component (IAC) for performing other service processing into one network device; setting at least one cooperation mode in the NFC and each of the at least one IAC; and communicating with each other, by the NFC and the at least one IAC, according to the at least one cooperation mode. The cooperation mode may be any or any combination of a host mode, a mirror mode, a redirection mode and a pass-through mode. According to the present invention, the NFC and the IAC may communicate according to the cooperation mode so as to ensure that the NFC and the IAC can cooperate to provide various service capabilities including message forwarding and other additional service capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making modified jacobsite, Al-doped maghemite or modified maghemite nanoparticles that can be used to adsorb heavy metals, such as Cr(VI), found in wastewater. The magnetic nanoparticles can be separated using a magnetic field after adsorbing heavy metals from wastewater, and processed for reused.

Abstract: A microprojection array is provided, comprising an approximately planar base and a plurality of microprojections, wherein the array comprises a vaccine and a polymeric material. The array may have multiple layers. The vaccine may be placed in only one layer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of preventing a disease is provided, comprising insertion into the skin of a patient an array of microprojections comprising a layer which comprises a vaccine for that disease and a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for connecting different components, a Network Forwarding Component NFC and an Independent Application Component IAC. The NFC includes: a data forwarding unit, a processor, a data interface on the NFC side, a management interface on the NFC side and a status information interface on the NFC side. The IAC includes: a processor, a data interface on the IAC side, a management interface on the IAC side and a status information interface on the IAC side. The present invention makes it possible to perform information interaction between the NFC and the IAC integrated in one network device through the configured interfaces.

Abstract: A novel method for the preparation of an aqueous polyacrylate modified polyurethane dispersion is disclosed. The preparation method includes three main steps: a) preparation of polyacrylate polymer or copolymer emulsion; b) preparation of polyurethane prepolymer with carboxylic groups and neutralization treatment to the carboxylic groups; and c) dispersion and chain-extension of polyurethane prepolymer by adding the polyacrylate emulsion into the polyurethane prepolymer under vigorous agitation, or other mechanical operation. The aqueous polyacrylate modified polyurethane dispersion has self-crosslinkability when an unsaturated acetoacetoxy compound is used for the preparation of the polyacrylate emulsion.

Abstract: An injectable, nonaqueous suspension including at least one therapeutic agent suspended in a single component vehicle. The single component vehicle is a single amphiphilic material, such as a polyethoxylated castor oil or derivative thereof, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene stearate, a block copolymer of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide, a block copolymer of polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide, a tetra-functional block copolymer of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide, or a tetra-functional block copolymer of polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide. A dosage kit that includes the injectable, nonaqueous suspension and a method of administering the injectable, nonaqueous suspension are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, an array of microprotrusions is formed by providing a mold with cavities corresponding to the negative of the microprotrusions, casting atop the mold a first solution comprising a biocompatible material and a solvent, removing the solvent, casting a second solution atop the first cast solution, removing the solvent from the second solution, and demolding the resulting array from the mold. The first solution preferably contains an active ingredient.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for systemically or locally administering a beneficialagent to a subject are described, and include, for example, depot gel compositions that can be injected into a desired location and which can provide controlled release of a beneficial agent over a prolonged duration of time. The compositions include a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent having low water miscibility that forms a viscous gel with the polymer and limits water uptake by the implant, and a beneficial agent.

Abstract: A method of depositing a stable diamond film on a metal substrate includes pretreating a surface of the substrate and depositing a diamond film on the substrate by way of a multi-stage chemical vapor deposition, in which each subsequent stage is performed at progressively higher temperature. The deposited diamond may be doped with boron. The substrate may be titanium, a titanium alloy, iron, an iron alloy, or any other valve metal. The diamond deposition may be a high temperature chemical vapor deposition. The first deposition stage may optionally create a carbide of diamond and substrate, and an optional mixture of diamond and amorphous carbon may be deposited to bond this carbide layer to a subsequently applied layer. The resulting product may be used as an electrode, as a tooth or blade in a cutting tool, or may have many other uses.

Abstract: Injectable depot compositions with dual mechanisms of release rate control are provided for sustained beneficial agent delivery in a patient. The composition includes bioerodible particles and an injectable depot vehicle containing a bioerodible polymer in an organic solvent, for forming a bioerodible depot implant after administration to the patient. The bioerodible particles are dispersed in the depot vehicle and contain a beneficial agent and a release rate controlling agent retarding the release of the beneficial agent from the bioerodible particles and from the depot implant.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for systemically or locally administering a beneficial agent to a subject are described, and include, for example, implantable elastomeric depot compositions that can be injected into a desired location and which can provide controlled release of a beneficial agent over a prolonged duration of time. The compositions include a biocompatible, elastomeric caprolactone copolymer, a biocompatible solvent having low water miscibility that forms an elastomeric viscous gel with the polymer and limits water uptake by the implant, and a beneficial agent.

Abstract: A composition includes a viscous gel formed from a combination of a biodegradable polymer and a biocompatible solvent. The composition also includes a hydrophilic porogen, which may be incorporated in the viscous gel. The composition may form a porous scaffold in situ.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an osmotic pump that automatically provides an ascending release rate of active agent as the osmotic pump functions in an environment of operation and may be designed for implantation within a desired animal or human subject. An osmotic pump according to the present invention includes a reservoir, a rate controlling membrane, an expandable osmotic composition, an active agent formulation and an exit orifice. Once administered to an environment of operation, water passes through the rate controlling membrane and into the osmotic composition, which causes the osmotic composition to expand and expel the active agent formulation through the exit orifice at a rate that is directly proportional to the rate at which water passes through the rate controlling membrane.