Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.

Abstract: In one embodiment an after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising a body having a distal end including a bevel for receiving a hub of a seed lock needle, and a bore therethrough for receiving a hub of a MICK® needle; a proximal end having a funnel shaped opening; a shield adapted to be provided over the body; and wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to a shield. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for embolization of blood vessels, especially for benign tumours, comprises a polymeric embolic agent and, associated with the polymer in a releasable form, a local anaesthetic agent. The polymer is preferably in particulate form, such as in the form of microspheres. A suitable polymer Is a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol polymer formed by the copolymerization of PVA macromer with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The composition provides a synergistic treatment for the symptoms of tumours such as uterine fibrioids, leading to size regression as well as pain relief.

Abstract: After-loader devices, kits, and methods for using the same are provided. Such after-loader devices are useful for loading implants into hollow needles, especially after the needles are inserted into patient tissue. The after-loader devices can be pre-loaded with implants, before the after-loaders are connected to hubs of hollow needles, or loaded thereafter.

Abstract: An anchor mechanism includes a sleeve to fit around a structure such as a radioactive source, a thermal ablation implant, a spacer, a strand or a radiopaque marker. The sleeve has a bore that extends an entire longitudinal length of the sleeve, and through which the structure fits, such that the structure can extend out from both longitudinal ends of the sleeve. One or more protrusion extends from an outer surface of the sleeve to engage surrounding patient tissue after implantation of the structure into a patient, to thereby reduce a tendency for the structure to migrate and rotate after implantation.

Abstract: An image of an individual (2) is obtained using a digital camera (1). The image data is then processed by ratio determination module (10) and an image conversion module (12) to analyze the image and determine data representative of the distribution of blood and melanin in the skin of the imaged individual. This chromophore distribution data is then processed by an image generation module (18) which generates an image representative of the expected appearance of epithelial tissue having the determined distribution of chromophores where the epithelial tissue is under fixed illumination and has a flat spatial geometry and where all the identified melanin is present solely in the epidermis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composition comprising vesicles and associated with the vesicles, a chemical agent, for use in a method of treatment by therapy wherein the chemical agent is delivered trans- and/or intra-epithelially to a human or animal body, wherein the constructs comprise an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic block. Methods for forming the composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising vesicles and encapsulated within the vesicles, nucleic acid comprising less than 1000 nucleotides, wherein the vesicles comprise an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic block. Methods of forming vesicles and methods of delivering nucleic acid, in particular, iRNA into cells, are also provided.

Abstract: A prescription method of treating tissue comprises the steps of accepting a prescription tissue treatment plan for the tissue to be treated, positioning seeds relative to each other per the prescription tissue treatment plan such that the positions of seeds relative to each other is only established by the prescription tissue treatment plan, and creating a treatment strand by heating and cooling a material to position the plurality of treatment seeds in the material. The prescription tissue treatment plan specifies a number and a spacing of the seeds to be provided in the treatment strand, the spacing of the treatment seeds being unrestricted by any use of spacers and independently set by and according to the prescription tissue treatment plan.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising vesicles and encapsulated within the vesicles, an antibody, wherein the vesicles comprise an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic block. Methods of delivering the above compositions into cells are also described.

Abstract: An image of an individual (2) is obtained via a digital camera (1). The RGB image data is then processed to derive from the image data data representative of the distribution of chromophores resulting in the appearance of the individual (2). A calculated chromophore distribution is then utilised to derive a revised chromophore distribution representing the effect of the desired cosmetic or surgical intervention or medical condition. This chromophore distribution is then processed to generate an output image (34) illustrating the expected result of that intervention. The generated image (34) can be displayed simultaneously with an original image (33) so that the extent of expected improvement can be determined.

Abstract: Echogenic strands and spacers are provided for use in brachytherapy. Methods of making the strands and spacers are also provided. An echogenic strand for use in brachytherapy and a method for making the strand includes an encapsulating material, a seed disposed within the encapsulating material, and a spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed. The spacer has an axial length, an outer surface and an inner surface. A chamber is formed along the axial length, the chamber being defined by the inner surface. The chamber is adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer.

Abstract: Echogenic strands and spacers are provided for use in brachytherapy. Methods of making the strands and spacers are also provided. An echogenic strand for use in brachytherapy includes an encapsulating material, a seed disposed within the encapsulating material, and a spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed. The spacer has an external length and a chamber formed along the external length, the chamber being adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for interstitial radiation therapy comprising a substantially axially stiff and longitudinally flexible elongated member made of material, which is bio-absorbable in living tissue and a plurality of radioactive seeds dispersed in a predetermined array within the member. The delivery system and method further customize the member based on a prescription.

Abstract: Block copolymers comprise a core block formed of hydrophilic monomers and have pendant zwitterionic groups, and at least two terminal blocks, comprising stimulus-responsive groups. The core block has a degree of polymerisation of at least 100, whilst the terminal blocks have an average degree of polymerisation of at least 20. A solution of polymer in a liquid may be caused to change its characteristics, for instance rheology, upon being subjected to a stimulus such as a change in temperature or pH. Examples comprise core blocks formed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2?-trimethylammonium ethylphosphate inner salt (MPC) and terminal blocks formed of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate. Upon changing the pH from around 2 to around 8, an aqueous solution of the block copolymer gels, the solution becoming mobile again upon lowering the pH. The effect is due to deprotonation of a quaternary ammonium pendant ion to form a non-ionised group and subsequent protonation to form an ionised group.

Abstract: A brachytherapy implant includes a plurality of protrusions to reduce a tendency of the implant to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to spacers that resist migration and rotation. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention.

Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.

Abstract: There is provided a new use of microspheres comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer which is anionically charged at pH7, and electrostatically associated with the polymer, in releasable form, a cationically charged chemotherapeutic agent, in the manufacture of a composition for use in the treatment of a brain tumour, wherein in the treatment the composition is introduced into the brain and the chemotherapeutic agent is released from the microspheres, wherein the microspheres, when equilibrated in water at 37° C., comprise at least 40 wt % water based on weight of polymer plus water. Compositions comprising the microspheres and methods for the treatment of brain tumours are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment a therapeutic member includes a radioactive source and a material (e.g., a bio-absorbable polymeric material) that encapsulates the radioactive source. An outer surface of the encapsulating material includes a plurality of protrusions to reduce a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation. In an embodiment, the encapsulating material includes an anchor mechanism that extends from at least one of the longitudinal ends of the radioactive source to reduce a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to strands that include similar protrusions and/or anchor mechanisms. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention are directed to spacers that resist migration and rotation. Embodiments are also directed to radiopaque markers that resist migration and rotation. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for interstitial radiation therapy comprising a strand made of material, which is bio-absorbable in living tissue and a plurality of radioactive seeds dispersed in a predetermined array within the strand. The strands can have custom end spacings, which allow the optimal placing of seeds within the treatment tissue by implanting a plurality of strands to the same depth. A plurality of these strands can be implanted at the same time by the use of a guiding device. In certain embodiments, a custom end spacing within a needle is not attached to the strand in the needle. In certain embodiments, the custom end spacing, seeds and spacers within a needle are loose, i.e., not part of a strand.