Abstract: A solid polyester wherein the polyester is environmentally degradable in less than about 5 to about 7 months. The polyester is the direct dehydration polyesterification reaction product between one or more multi-hydroxylic alcohols, one or more hydroxy acids, and one or more multi-carboxylic acid compounds without added catalysts or cyclic precursors; or the polyester is the direct dehydration polyesterification reaction product between one or more multi-hydroxylic alcohols, one or more hydroxy acids, one or more multi-carboxylic acid compounds, and a cyclic ester without requiring added catalysts or cyclic precursors.

Abstract: Methods for the formulation of biodegradable microparticles for delivery of protein drugs, such as botulinum toxin, have been developed. The methods include the steps of precipitating and washing proteins with organic solvent to remove water prior to dispersing in polymer-dissolved organic solvent to prevent exposure to water/solvent interfaces and maintain bioactivity of the protein drugs and fabrication of microparticles by either template or emulsion method. Biodegradable microparticles, formed of one or more biodegradable polymers having entrapped in the polymer one or more protein agents, such as botulinum toxin, are also provided. Precipitated botulinum toxin and botulinum toxin-loaded microparticles can also be formulated into thermogels or crosslinked hydrogels. The stability of the protein within these microparticles, as well as the controlled release of the entrapped agents, provides for sustained efficacy of the agents.

Abstract: Discrete microstructures of predefined size and shape are prepared using sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogel templates. An aqueous solution of hydrogel-forming material is covered onto a microfabricated silicon wafer master template having predefined microfeatures, such as pillars. A hydrogel template is formed, usually by lowering the temperature, and the formed hydrogel template is peeled away from the silicon master template. The wells of predefined size and shape on the hydrogel template are filled with a solution or a paste of a water-insoluble polymer, and the solvent is removed to form solid structures. The formed microstructures are released from the hydrogel template by simply melting the hydrogel template in water. The microstructures are collected by centrifugation. The microstructures fabricated by this method exhibit pre-defined size and shape that exactly correspond to the microwells of the hydrogel template.

Abstract: Discrete microstructures of predefined size and shape are prepared using sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogel templates. An aqueous solution of hydrogel-forming material is covered onto a microfabricated silicon wafer master template having predefined microfeatures, such as pillars. A hydrogel template is formed, usually by lowering the temperature, and the formed hydrogel template is peeled away from the silicon master template. The wells of predefined size and shape on the hydrogel template are filled with a solution or a paste of a water-insoluble polymer, and the solvent is removed to form solid structures. The formed microstructures are released from the hydrogel template by simply melting the hydrogel template in water. The microstructures are collected by centrifugation. The microstructures fabricated by this method exhibit pre-defined size and shape that exactly correspond to the microwells of the hydrogel template.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue expanders comprising biodegradable, chemically cross-linked hydrogels which are elastic in the dry state. These biocompatible tissue expanders are self-inflating and membrane-free. They swell slowly and elicit minimal negative tissue responses, while allowing for rapid and easy manipulation by the surgeon at the time of emplacement.

Abstract: A semi-automated device that provides a mechanism to produce large-scale microparticle formulations of specific sizes with no scum layer formation, and a method for using the device.

Abstract: Discrete microstructures of predefined size and shape are prepared using sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogel templates. An aqueous solution of hydrogel-forming material is covered onto a microfabricated silicon wafer master template having predefined microfeatures, such as pillars. A hydrogel template is formed, usually by lowering the temperature, and the formed hydrogel template is peeled away from the silicon master template. The wells of predefined size and shape on the hydrogel template are filled with a solution or a paste of a water-insoluble polymer, and the solvent is removed to form solid structures. The formed microstructures are released from the hydrogel template by simply melting the hydrogel template in water. The microstructures are collected by centrifugation. The microstructures fabricated by this method exhibit pre-defined size and shape that exactly correspond to the microwells of the hydrogel template.

Abstract: A fast-melting pharmaceutical tablet comprises a porous, plastic substance, a water penetration enhancer and a binder. One or more drugs can be incorporated into the formulation at different stages of the process so as to afford a pharmaceutically active tablet. Methods of making the pharmaceutical tablet entail combining the porous, plastic material, the water penetration enhancing agent, and the binder so as to form highly plastic granules, which are compressed into tablets. The resulting tablets dissolve rapidly in the mouth and have good hardness with low brittleness. The tablets are particularly valuable to those who have difficulty swallowing conventional pills.