Abstract: An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser.

Abstract: An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser.

Abstract: An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser.

Abstract: An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the treatment of uremic toxins in vivo using uremic toxin-treating enzymes, and/or cells capable of producing uremic toxin-treating enzymes or otherwise reacting with uremic toxins. Non-limiting examples of cases where the treatment of uremic toxins is desired include renal disease or dysfunction, gout, subjects receiving chemotherapy, or the like. In one aspect, the treatment includes an oral delivery composition able to reduce the blood concentration of one or more non-protein nitrogen compounds in vivo. The composition, in some cases, may comprise one, two, or more uremic toxin-treating enzymes, such as urease, uricase or creatininase. The oral delivery composition may be able to deliver the uremic toxin-treating enzymes, substantially undigested, to the intestines, where the enzymes can interact with uremic toxins transported to the intestines from the bloodstream.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the treatment of uremic toxins in vivo using uremic toxin-treating enzymes, and/or cells capable of producing uremic toxin-treating enzymes or otherwise reacting with uremic toxins. Non-limiting examples of cases where the treatment of uremic toxins is desired include renal disease or dysfunction, gout, subjects receiving chemotherapy, or the like. In one aspect, the treatment includes an oral delivery composition able to reduce the blood concentration of one or more non-protein nitrogen compounds in vivo. The composition, in some cases, may comprise one, two, or more uremic toxin-treating enzymes, such as urease, uricase or creatininase. The oral delivery composition may be able to deliver the uremic toxin-treating enzymes, substantially undigested, to the intestines, where the enzymes can interact with uremic toxins transported to the intestines from the bloodstream.

Abstract: A bioartificial organ for implanting to provide a therapeutic effect is prepared containing a core of living cells encapsulated in a foam-like membrane having three regions: a dense, fine-pored, permselective inner region, a middle region that lacks macrovoids and a fine-pored outer region. The membrane has a molecular weight cutoff that permits passage to nutrients to the cells but not passage of the cells. Preferably, the membrane is made of polyether sulfone, pores range in size between 0.02 .mu.m and 2.0 .mu.m and have polyhedrally symmetric boundaries and are arranged asymmetrically from one surface to the other. The membrane has an asymmetry factor AF relative to the maximum pore diameter of 0.01 to 2.0 and a ratio of the maximum mean free path length to the diameter of the largest pore of greater than 3. The membrane can be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The bioartificial organ is formed by coextrusion or by stepwise assembly by forming the cell core and then applying the membrane.