Abstract: Provided is a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to or into a tissue, including an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. Also provided is a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, including determining a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level.

Abstract: Devices and methods for substantially reducing the caloric efficiency of the digestive tract by capturing food being digested in the stomach 10 and/or anywhere else in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, absorbing or encapsulating the captured food into multiple capturing members and moving such multiple capturing members containing the ingestible encapsulated food down the GI tract, practically out of reach of the GI absorption organs, thus excluding the entrapped ingredients from being involved in the digestion and\or absorption process. The device is designed for oral delivery. The system can be comprised of liquid, food bars or a capsule system. The capsule system is comprised of an external capsule that dissolves in accordance with a temporal or ph dependent preset, which allows the food intake to be at least partially fluidic. The capsule system is further comprised of a mechanism designed to capture and isolate a portion of the food being digested.

Abstract: The invention generally provides implants comprising polymers and contrast agents for marking and monitoring medical conditions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for substantially reducing the caloric efficiency of the digestive tract by capturing food being digested in the stomach 10 and/or anywhere else in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, absorbing or encapsulating the captured food into multiple capturing members and moving such multiple capturing members containing the ingestible encapsulated food down the GI tract, practically out of reach of the GI absorption organs, thus excluding the entrapped ingredients from being involved in the digestion and\or absorption process. The device is designed for oral delivery. The system can be comprised of liquid, food bars or a capsule system. The capsule system is comprised of an external capsule that dissolves in accordance with a temporal or ph dependent preset, which allows the food intake to be at least partially fluidic. The capsule system is further comprised of a mechanism designed to capture and isolate a portion of the food being digested.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment of xerostomia, and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed herein. The compositions are typically in the form of a film or tablet, such as a double layer sticker tablet. The compositions adhere to a buccal surface or mucosal surface in the oral cavity for at least 15 minutes, preferably for at least 30 minutes. The compositions themselves are able to increase the levels of saliva in the mouth without the need for active agents, such sialogogic agents. The compositions optionally contain a non-lipid lubricant, a flavoring agent, and/or a buffering agent. The composition is generally effective at treating or ameliorating the effects of xerostomia for a time period ranging from at least 30 minutes up to eight hours following administration to the buccal or oral mucosa.

Abstract: Bioadhesive sticker tablets which are applied directly to vaginal, rectal and/or oral mucosa are described herein. In one embodiment, the sticker tablets are applied directly to ulcers or lesions in the oral cavity. The compositions adhere immediately upon administration, swell over time, and remain adherent to the ulcer or lesion for at least 60 minutes. The compositions can be in the form of single layer, double layer, or multilayer sticker tablets. The compositions provide immediate pain relief to the patient and promote rapid healing of the ulcer or lesion. The sticker tablet compositions contain one or more bioadhesive polymers. In one embodiment, the polymers are crosslinked polycarboxylic acids and polyols. The compositions contain at least one herbal agent and/or irritating compound, and optionally, a non-herbal active agent. The compositions can deliver an non-irritating effective dose of the agent for at least 60 minutes.

Abstract: The application discloses a formulation and method for increasing bioavailability of an orally administered drug.

Abstract: An indicator for the status of the filter is provided. The indicator comprises at least one erodable member in contact with the source fluid and a visual indication arrangement that permits a viewer to gauge the appearance of the erodable member to thereby gauge the filter status. The erodable member is eroded by interaction with the fluid or with an element within the fluid. The indicator may be incorporated as an integral component of a filter or may be a stand-alone device to be incorporated into a filter or filtration system.

Abstract: Provided is a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to or into a tissue, including an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. Also provided is a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, including determining a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level.

Abstract: Methods for soft tissue repair and/or augmentation using injectable, biodegradable polymers are described herein. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are liquid or pastes at room temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition contains liquid or pasty hydroxy fatty acid-based copolyesters, polyester-anhydrides, or combinations thereof. The viscosity of the polymers increases upon contact with bodily fluid to form a solid or semisolid implant suitable for soft tissue repair and/or augmentation. In another embodiment, the polymer composition contains particles of a polymer stereocomplex. One or more active agents may be incorporated into the polymer compositions. Suitable classes of active agents include local anesthetics, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, analgesics, growth factors and agents that induce and/or enhance growth of tissue within the filled cavity or control the growth of a certain type of tissue, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to on into a tissue, comprising an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. The present invention also provides a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, comprising determination of a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level.

Abstract: A system, that may be portable, for purifying liquid flowing gravitationally from a source/reservoir into a purified liquid receptacle is described. The system includes a housing with a generally horizontal filtering space. More than one liquid inlet disposed at a top portion of the filter is provided as well as one or more liquid outlets disposed at a bottom portion. The liquid flows in a generally lateral direction through the liquid treatment medium. Two or more first walls extending upwardly into the filtering space from a bottom wall thereof and ending with an apex are provided inside the device. One or more second walls downwardly extending into the filtering space from a top wall thereof are also provided. Each of the walls defines a closed path. The first and second walls jointly cause the liquid to flow in a curvilinear flow path from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A particle including at least one aliphatic polymer having anti-microbially active quaternary ammonium groups chemically bound thereto, is provided. The particle may be used to inhibit populations of microorganisms and biofilms. Also provided are methods for the preparation of such particles and uses thereof for the inhibition of microorganisms.

Abstract: A device and method for administering a bioactive agent to internal tissue in a body, by introducing a balloon in a deflated condition into the body, inflating the balloon, introducing the bioactive agent into the balloon at the time of, after, or before the inflation of the balloon, and delivering the bioactive agent from the balloon to the tissue.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric compositions that are liquids or pastes at temperatures below 37° C. are described. Immersion of the compositions in aqueous medium, such as body fluids, increases the viscosity of the composition resulting in the formation of a semisolid material. The polymeric material is a hydroxyalkanoic acid polyester derived from the copolymerization of at least one unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid copolymerized with hydroxyalkanoic acids of 2-6 carbons.

Abstract: A polymer gel, in at least some embodiments, featuring both cross-linked castor oil and branched castor oil components, in which the castor oil is optionally replaced by ricinoleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for administration of charged drugs to tissues of the oral cavity and for intra-tissue administration. The disclosed drug applicator for intra-tissue use includes an introducer such as a needle or catheter that is adapted to penetrate into a living tissue. The introducer has a drug-providing portion, and the applicator has current-generating element to pass through it an electrical current. Passing an electrical current through the drug-providing portion causes the drug to eject into treated tissue. Also disclosed are charged drugs suitable for iontophoretic administration, which include a bioactive agent encapsulated in charged nano-particles.

Abstract: A composite scaffold for engineering a heterogeneous tissue is provided. The composite scaffold includes: (a) a first scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a first tissue type thereupon; and (b) a second scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a second tissue type thereupon; wherein the first scaffold and the second scaffold are arranged with respect to each other such that when the first scaffold supports the first tissue type and the second scaffold supports the second tissue type, a distance between any cell of the second tissue type and the first tissue type does not exceed 200 ?m.

Abstract: Hydrolytically degradable polymers in the form of biodegradable disposable medical devices for use in medicine and laboratories such as syringes, test tubes, catheters, tubing, trays, medical fabrics, and gloves are described. The devices are formed in whole or in part of a hydrolytically degradable polymer. In the preferred embodiment, the devices or structural components thereof degrade in a period of weeks to months, preferably within a year and more preferably within six months of exposure to aqueous solutions. Conventional hydrolytically degradable polymers may be utilized or these may be modified to increase mechanical or processing characteristics, for example, using a polyfunctional branching agent and/or a chain extending agent. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically degradable polymer is a member of a new class of polyesters comprising an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, an aliphatic diol and optionally, one or more bifunctional fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid and/or castor oil.

Abstract: Compositions for appetite suppression and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed herein. The compositions are typically in the form of a tablet, such as a single or multi-layer sticker tablet. The compositions adhere to a buccal surface or mucosal surface in the oral cavity for at least 15 minutes, preferably for at least 30 minutes. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions contain herbal agents that are anti-appetite agents. The composition is generally effective for suppressing appetite for a time period ranging from at least 30 minutes up to eight hours following administration to the buccal or oral mucosa.