Abstract: An internal fixation device and a bioerodible implantable material useful therefor comprise a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products or low molecular weight resorbable fragments upon hydrolytic degradation, and a buffering or neutralizing agent in sufficiently high concentration to moderate the rate of change of pH of said bioerodible material during bioerosion. The buffering or neutralizing agent acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art. Internal fixation devices (IFDs) according to the invention are useful, for example, for the repair, replacement or reconstruction of damaged bone in any area of the body.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer having interconnecting channels. The interconnecting channels act as controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A hydrophilic agent is blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, a water-absorbing material is blended into the polymer so that the water-absorbing material is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the hydrophilic agent forms passages in the product through which a desired composition is communicable to the water-absorbing material that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: A bioerodible implantable material, comprising a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, and a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products and maintains the local pH within a desired range. The buffer compound acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art. Materials made according to the invention may be used for internal fixation devices (IFDs) for bone repair.

Abstract: The binding site on an immunoglobulin for a protein is blocked by hydrophobically coupling the immunoglobulin to a blocking agent such as a label. This results in a detection reagent useful in a variety of test assays in which a protein and an immunoglobulin are advantageously used together, but separately. The reagent is useful in the simultaneous determination of IgG and one of IgA or IgM. Anti-IgA-IgG or anti-IgM-IgG is coupled to a hydrophobic label, particularly a pigment or dye, which label blocks the binding site on IgG for Protein A, and labeled Protein A is added.

Abstract: A delivering member for filtering and delivering a sample to a test assay surface includes a prefilter having a sample receiving surface and a surface for delivering a sample to a test assay surface. The prefilter includes a diffusing material on its receiving surface for rapidly and evenly diffusing a sample across the prefilter receiving surface. In this way, a sample may be rapidly and evenly delivered to a test assay surface. A test assay solid phase has a surface including an area carrying an immobilized species and an area free of immobilized species. When a sample is applied to the surface, followed by application of a labeled species, the evenness of distribution of the labeled species is indicative of the evenness of application of the sample. A kit includes a delivering member and an assay surface.

Abstract: A temperature change indicator is described which is composed of an enzyme and a substrate for that enzyme suspended in a solid organic solvent or mixture of solvents as a support medium. The organic solvent or solvents are chosen so as to melt at a specific temperature or in a specific temperature range. When the temperature of the indicator is elevated above the chosen, or critical temperature, the solid organic solvent support will melt, and the enzymatic reaction will occur, producing a visually detectable product which is stable to further temperature variation.

Abstract: The invention constitutes an enzymatic method for resolution of a racemic mixture of hydroxy compounds. A D,L mixture of the hydroxy compound is phosphorylated to form the D,L monoorthophosphate esters of the hydroxy compound. Thereafter, the D,L mixture of phosphorylated compounds is treated with a stereospecific phosphatase, such as wheat germ acid phosphatase, which causes the hydrolysis of substantially only one optical isomer of the monoorthophosphate ester. The resulting hydrolyzed isomer of the hydroxy compound is then separated from the remaining monoorthophosphate ester.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing organic substances, such as phenols and aromatic amines, from aqueous solutions by adding chemicals, such as peroxidase enzymes and peroxide substrates, to such solutions. A surprising discovery is that the presence of more than one organic substance greatly increases the efficiency of precipitation of substances that do not precipitate efficiently in the absence of other organic substances.

Abstract: A method of resolving racemic 2-halopropionic acids by lipase-catalyzed asymmetric esterification in an organic medium is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving the stability and usefulness of interferon, including human fibroblast interferon, is disclosed. In this method, interferon is bonded to a non-hydrophobic substance to create a molecular complex that is less hydrophobic than untreated interferon.