Abstract: The invention relates to portable albumin binders, which are useful for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of diagnostic or therapeutic agents, in particular increasing the blood circulations time and/or the tissue penetration capacity of such agents.

Abstract: A functionalized electrospun matrix for the controlled-release of biologically active agents, such as growth factors, is presented. The functionalized matrix comprises a matrix polymer, a compatibilizing polymer and a biomolecule or other small functioning molecule. In certain aspects the electrospun polymer fibers comprise at least one biologically active molecule functionalized with low molecular weight heparin.

Abstract: Personal care compositions comprising esters of 1,3-propanediol and acceptable carriers are provided. The esters can have at least 3% biobased carbon, and the compositions can further comprise 1,3-propanediol that is biologically-derived. Also provided are processes for producing personal care compositions comprising esters of 1,3-propanediol and acceptable carriers. The processes comprise providing biologically produced 1,3-propanediol, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with organic acids, which produces the esters, recovering the esters, and incorporating the esters into personal care formulations. Also provided are processes of making a personal care composition comprising providing an ester of 1,3 propanediol and mixing the ester with an acceptable carrier to form a personal care composition.

Abstract: An aqueous mixture of a non-toxic, low pH, antimicrobial, acidic composition having a pH between approximately 0.5 and approximately 3.5 is used in a drilling fluid and a stuck pipe additive. One embodiment of the stuck pipe additive composition includes an alkali metal halide salt in a range of approximately 10-35 weight %; a sequenching agent in a range between 2-8 weight %, a low pH, non-toxic acid composition in a range of 0.5-20 weight percent and water in a range of 7-88.5 weight %. As a drilling fluid, it maintains well control and removes drill cuttings from holes drilled into the earth. As a spotting fluid, it frees a stuck drill stem in the annulus of a bore hole in minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using an adhesive and process for heating, curing, joining, attaching and detaching a part article from a body substrate structure. Described are polymeric adhesive compositions and methods of curing using a radiation apparatus for rapid adhesive bonding and attaching a fastener part to a structure surface. The adhesive composition contains additives that directly or indirectly absorb projected radiation from a radiation apparatus to rapidly and uniformly melt the adhesive and bond the surface of the part material onto the surface of the substrate material. A process is also described to reverse the adhesive bonding and detach the fastener part from the substrate.

Abstract: Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for dispensing an adhesive containing at least two components includes a mixing device and a header. The mixing device comprises a conveying plate having first and second grooved surfaces each overlaid by a respective cover plate. The conveying plate and opposed cover plates cooperate to define a plurality of separated channels extending through the mixing device. The discharge ends of the channels are interdigitated. First and a second distribution manifolds are defined within the mixing device. A supply port adapted to receive one adhesive component extends through a respective cover plate into fluid communication with one of the distribution manifolds.

Abstract: Tissue adhesives formed by crosslinking albumin and/or gelatin with certain polyamines and/or polycarboxylates using a water-soluble carbodiimide are disclosed. The use of the tissue adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; drug delivery; anti-adhesive applications; and as a bulking agent to treat urinary incontinence are described.

Abstract: A mixing device for mixing adhesives containing at least two components comprises a conveying plate having first and second grooved surfaces each overlaid by a respective cover plate. The conveying plate and the opposed cover plates cooperate to define a plurality of separated channels extending through the mixing device. The discharge ends of the channels are interdigitated. First and a second distribution manifolds are defined within the mixing device. A supply port adapted to receive one adhesive component extends through a respective cover plate into fluid communication with one of the distribution manifolds.

Abstract: Tissue adhesives formed by crosslinking albumin and/or gelatin with certain polyamines and/or polycarboxylates using a water-soluble carbodiimide are disclosed. The use of the tissue adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; drug delivery; anti-adhesive applications; and as a bulking agent to treat urinary incontinence are described.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether amine with a bifunctional crosslinker of the formula: X1—R—X2. Another embodiment is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether having at least three arms and three electrophilic endgroups with a primary diamine crosslinker of the formula: NH2—R2—NH2, followed by treating of the chain-extended product so as to convert the remaining electrophilic endgroups to amine endgroups. Crosslinking of the chain-extended polyamine products with an oxidized polysaccharide provides useful tissue adhesives with modified elasticity, that provides greater compliance to underlying tissue, and improved stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: A method for preparing multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chlorides from multi-arm PEG polyols is described. The method comprises a process, wherein the multi-arm PEG polyol is reacted with thionyl chloride to form the multi-arm PEG chloride.

Abstract: A crossbow includes a trigger mechanism having a trigger housing for receiving a bowstring of a crossbow and a bowstring catch mounted with respect to the housing and adapted to releasably engage a crossbow bowstring brought within the trigger housing. The crossbow further includes a trigger adapted to releasably engage the bowstring catch, the trigger being further adapted to be selectively actuated by a user so as to cause the trigger to release the bowstring catch, thereby causing the bowstring catch to release a crossbow bowstring. Optionally, the crossbow may include a ball disposed between the bowstring catch and the trigger, the ball being adapted to bear and react to forces arising between the bowstring catch and the trigger during at least one of the trigger so engaging the bowstring catch and the trigger so releasing the bowstring catch.

Abstract: The present inventors have demonstrated the presence of H-ferritin receptors on endothelial cells in culture and on rat brain rat brain microvasculature, identifying H-ferritin as a means for transporting iron across the blood brain barrier. The present invention provides a method for treating an iron deficiency disorder in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a ferritin-iron complex. In an embodiment of the invention, the ferritin-iron complex comprises H-ferritin. In another embodiment, the iron deficiency disorder comprises an iron deficiency in the brain.

Abstract: Biodegradable personal care compositions comprising 1,3-propanediol are provided, and the 1,3-propanediol in the composition is biologically derived. The compositions exhibit a lower anthropogenic CO2 emission profile. Also provided are biodegradable personal care compositions comprising an ester of 1,3-propanediol. In these compositions, the ester can have at least 3% biobased carbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite article and to a process for manufacturing the composite article. The composite article comprises multiple layers including high tenacity fibers incorporated into a fabric and a core thermoplastic resin. The fabric may be coated with a surface treatment agent, a polymer matrix resin. Single or multiple layers of the composite articles may be formed into a composite part having high strength, rigidity, fast molding cycle time and extremely good conformability in a 3-dimensional mold. The composite parts formed by this process have high part strength in all directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive exercise management system. The system may be used for improving a workout environment for a specific user or group of users, tracking exercise information, and providing future workout information. The system, and method of using the system, allows for a specific user or group of users to control their workout environmental conditions. The conditions that may be controlled include, but are not limited to, sight, sound, smell and climate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heat transfer and antifreeze compositions comprising 1,3-propanediol, wherein the 1,3-propanediol in said heat transfer or antifreeze composition has a bio-based carbon content of about 1% to 100%. In addition, it is preferred that the 1,3-propanediol be biologically-derived, and wherein upon biodegradation, the biologically-derived 1,3-propanediol contributes no anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are deicing and anti-icing compositions comprising 1,3-propanediol, wherein the 1,3-propanediol in said deicing or anti-icing composition has a bio-based carbon content of about 1% to 100%. In addition, it is preferred that the 1,3-propanediol be biologically-derived, and wherein upon biodegradation, the biologically-derived 1,3-propanediol contributes no anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for forming an ester from 1,3-propanediol comprising providing 1,3-propanediol with at least 90% biobased carbon, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with an acid, thereby forming the ester, and recovering the ester is provided. The acid can be an organic acid. Additionally, a process for producing an ester, either or both a monoester and a diester, from biologically-produced 1,3-propanediol is provided. This process includes providing 1,3-propanediol produced biologically through fermentation and catalytic conversion of atmospheric carbon, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with an organic acid, wherein said ester is produced; and recovering the ester. In this process the 1,3-propanediol can have has at least 95% biobased carbon, or can have 100% biobased carbon.