Abstract: A method of determining a binding capacity of a surface, the method including providing the surface containing a reactive moiety; providing a fluorophore including a fluorescent moiety adapted to emit a detectable signal; reacting the fluorophore with the reactive moiety to form a linking bond between the fluorophore and the reactive moiety; cleaving a cleavable bond to liberate the fluorescent moiety; and detecting the detectable signal to determine the binding capacity of the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making polyurethane derivatives which can be readily further derivatized using stabilizing agents such as anti-calcification agents, anti-thrombogenesis agents, and chemical and mechanical degradation-inhibiting agents. The invention also includes methods of making polyurethane derivatives so further derivatized and to polyurethanes derivatives made using such methods.

Abstract: Adapting crosslinking with triglycidyl amine (TGA) to incorporate the use of a particular type of anti-calcification agent provides a broad-reaching solution to the problem in vivo bioprosthesis calcification. The anti-calcification agent in question includes a polyphosphonate compound that contains a functional group, which serves as a reaction site between the polyphosphonate and a polyepoxide. The functional group is reactive enough to dominate the reaction between the polyphosphonate and the polyepoxide, thereby excluding the chelating oxygen atoms of polyphosphonate from the reaction, protecting their anti-calcification ability. Furthermore, the high reactivity of the functional group allows the polyphosphonate to attach to the polyepoxide more completely, which improves the calcification resistance of bioprosthetic material with which the polyepoxide is crosslinked.

Abstract: A therapeutic delivery system efficiently introduces biologically active molecules to mammalian cells without the use of synthetic polymers or biopolymer coatings. Surface modification of a metal support, such as a medical device, results in a single molecular layer that can fasten various molecules, thereby minimizing any cellular inflammatory response while enhancing biocompatibility.

Abstract: Transfection efficiency can be enhanced when a complex comprising a nucleic acid, an antibody that specifically binds the nucleic acid and a cationic macromolecule is introduced into mammalian cells. Delivery of nucleic acid into these cells enables transfection at levels comparable to conventional viral delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to implantable bioprostheses (e.g. implantable biological tissues) and to compositions and methods for stabilizing them. Implantable bioprostheses stabilized as described herein exhibit improved mechanical properties and reduced post-implantation calcification. The implantable bioprosthesis is made by contacting a bioprosthesis (e.g. a tissue obtained from an animal or an article comprising a tissue and a synthetic material) with a polyepoxy amine compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents, such as DNA. The polyanionic bioactive agent in the microspheres and/or nanospheres is preferably condensed using a polycationic condensing agent, such as poly-L-lysine. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making polyurethane derivatives which can be readily further derivatized using stabilizing agents such as anti-calcification agents, anti-thrombogenesis agents, and chemical and mechanical degradation-inhibiting agents. The invention also includes methods of making polyurethane derivatives so further derivatized and to polyurethanes derivatives made using such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of stabilizing glycosaminoglycans in a biological tissue (e.g. a bioprosthetic implant) in conjunction with cross-linking of protein in the tissue. The methods of the invention improve the mechanical integrity of the device and improves its stability in vivo. The invention also includes biological tissues having stabilized glycosaminoglycans and cross-linked proteins and kits for preparing such tissues.

Abstract: The invention describes improved methods for incorporating nucleic acids into polymeric microspheres and/or nanospheres through the use of a condensing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering a polyionic bioactive composition such as a nucleic acid to a tissue of an animal. The compositions of the invention include compositions which comprise a matrix comprising the polyionic bioactive agent and wherein at least most of the polyionic bioactive agent at the exterior portion of the matrix is present in a condensed form. The invention also includes methods of making such compositions, including particles, devices, bulk materials, and other objects which comprise, consist of, or are coated with such compositions. Methods of delivering a polyionic bioactive agent to an animal tissue are also described. The invention further includes a method of storing a nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to implantable bioprostheses (e.g. implantable biological tissues) and to compositions and methods for stabilizing them. Implantable bioprostheses stabilized as described herein exhibit improved mechanical properties and reduced post-implantation calcification. The implantable bioprosthesis is made by contacting a bioprosthesis (e.g. a tissue obtained from an animal or an article comprising a tissue and a synthetic material) with a polyepoxy amine compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for enhancing the efficiency of delivery of a nucleic acid to a cell. Preferably the cell is a mammalian cell. The method comprises providing to a cell an agent capable of enhancing the cytoskeletal permissiveness of the cell for transfection. The method also comprises providing to the cell a nucleic acid delivery system for the transfection of the cell, whereby the efficiency of delivery of a nucleic acid to the cell is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents, such as DNA. The polyanionic bioactive agent in the microspheres and/or nanospheres is preferably condensed using a polycationic condensing agent, such as poly-L-lysine. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering a virus vector to an animal. The compositions include compositions which comprise a hydrogel matrix (e.g. a collagen matrix which can comprise a poloxamer or an alginate) containing a virus vector therein in a transfectious form. The invention also includes methods of making such hydrogel precursor mixtures and hydrogel matrices, including particles, devices, bulk materials, and other objects which comprise, consist of, or are coated with such mixtures or matrices. The invention further relates to compositions comprising a hydrogel precursor mixture having a virus vector suspended therein, which, when administered to an animal, gel to form a hydrogel matrix containing a virus vector therein in a transfectious form. Methods of delivering a virus vector to an animal tissue are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making polyurethane derivatives which can be readily further derivatized using stabilizing agents such as anti-calcification agents, anti-thrombogenesis agents, and chemical and mechanical degradation-inhibiting agents. The invention also includes methods of making polyurethane derivatives so further derivatized and to polyurethanes derivatives made using such methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for coating medical devices with pharmaceutical agents and devices coated with the compositions. The coated devices provide controlled or sustained release of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of wounds or disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides single balloon infusion catheters that provide an infusion chamber between a body lumen and the catheter balloon when the catheter balloon is inflated. High concentrations of pharmaceutical formulations and other liquids and solutions can be delivered into the infusion chamber under low pressure for local infusion therapy. Optionally, the catheters permit fluids such as blood to continue flowing through the body lumen during infusion therapy.

Abstract: A method of treating a collagenous biomaterial, such as porcine aortic valve leaflets or bovine pericardium, by exposing the biomaterial to an alcohol to inhibit in vivo calcification. The biomaterial, preferably glutaraldehyde-pretreated, is subjected to an aqueous solution of 60% to 80% lower aliphatic alcohol, such as ethanol for a period of at least 20 minutes, and preferably, 24 to 72 hours. The biomaterial is rinsed, and then stored in either a glutaraldehyde-free environment or an ethanolic solution of glutaraldehyde. In some embodiments, the treatment solutions include an additional anticalcification agent which may be a soluble salt of a metallic cation, such as Al.sup.+3 or Fe.sup.+3.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic materials, either natural or synthetic, are treated with trivalent iron cations, or salts, to prevent in vivo calcification. Such bioprosthetic materials include porcine aortic valve leaflets, bovine pericardium, aortic homografts, biocompatible elastomers, and the like which are intended for invasive, or in-dwelling use in a human or animal body. Simple incubation of the natural bioprosthetic materials in an iron ion-containing solution, such as aqueous FeCl.sub.3, particularly with the addition of an anticalcification agent, such as a diphosphonate, prior to implantation has been found to inhibit calcification of the biomaterial over a prolonged period, and to do so without adverse side effects. Incorporation of an iron-containing compound, with or without an additional anticalcification agent, into the formulation for polymers, such as polyurethane, has also been found to inhibit calcification with no adverse side effects.