Abstract: A composition and method of fabrication is presented with which nanoparticles may be used as a tool to deliver drugs to a specific target within or on a mamalian body. Specifically, by using stabilizers other than dextran 70.000 during the polymerization process, according to the present invention surfactants, which were deemed necessary coating material in the prior art, are no longer required. This is a significant simplification of the fabrication procedure. Many substances are useful as stabilizers, but the preferred stabilizers comprise Dextran 12.000 or polysorbate 85. In the present invention a drug is either incorporated into or adsorped onto the stabilized nanoparticles. This drug/nanoparticle complex is then administered to the organism on any route such as by oral application, injection or inhalation, whereupon the drug exerts its effect at the desired site of pharmacological action.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for training the visual system of a human by presenting optical stimuli to said human, said stimuli being presented to a zone within the intact visual field of said human and to a zone outside the intact visual field of said human, the latter zone comprising a zone to be trained, thereby allowing an improvement of the vision in said latter zone, said process comprising the steps of locating and defining a zone of deteriorated vision or residual visual function or partial visual system injury (“transition zone”) within the human's visual system; defining a training area which is located within said transition zone; training the human's visual system by presenting visual stimuli to the human's visual system, the majority of said visual stimuli being presented in or near said transition zone; recording changes in the characteristics of the human's visual system; adapting the location and definition of the stimulus presentation to said trans

Abstract: A composition and method of fabrication are presented with which nanoparticles may be used as a tool to deliver drugs to a specific target within or on a mammalian body Specifically, by using stabilizers other than Dextran 70.000 during the polymerization process, according to the present invention, surfactants, which were deemed necessary coating material in the prior art, are no longer required. This is a significant simplification of the fabrication procedure. Many substances are useful as stabilizers, but the preferred stabilizers comprise Dextran 12.000 or polysorbate 85. In the present invention a drug is either incorporated into or adsorbed onto the stabilized nanoparticles. This drug/nanoparticle complex is then administered to the organism on any route such as by oral application, injection or inhalation, whereupon the drug exerts its effect at the desired site of pharmacological action.

Abstract: A novel method of delivering drugs and diagnostics across the blood-brain barrier or blood-nerve barrier is disclosed. Drugs or diagnostic agents are incorporated into nanoparticles which have been fabricated in conventional ways. These nanoparticles are then coated with additional surfactant and given to the body of animals or humans. This allows drugs or diagnostic agents to cross the blood-brain barrier (bbb) to achieve one or more of the following benefits: (1) reducing the dose of a therapeutic drug or diagnostic agent which, when given peripherally, maintains the biological or diagnostic potency in the nervous system, (2) allowing drugs that normally do not cross the bbb to penetrate into the nervous system, and (3) reducing the peripheral side effects by increasing the relative amount of the drug reaching the brain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric drug delivery system for delivery of any substance to the central nervous system. The delivery system is preferably implanted in the central nervous system for delivery of the drug directly to the central nervous system. These implantable devices can be used, for example, to achieve continuous delivery of dopamine, which cannot pass the blood brain barrier, directly into the brain for an extended time period. The implantable devices display controlled, "zero-order" release kinetics, a life time of a minimum of several weeks or months even when the devices contain water soluble, low molecular weight compounds, biocompatibility, and relative non-invasiveness. The polymeric devices are applicable in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, trauma, stroke, depression and other types of neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Abstract: A polymeric device releasing biologically active, water-soluble materials having a molecular weight of less than 1000 in a controlled, continuous and linear manner over an extended period of time. Insoluble polymer matrixes can be defined in any shape, size and drug content. When applied to medical use, biocompatible polymers are used so that the device is implantable. The device is made by modifying prior art devices based on diffusion of fluid into a polymeric matrix containing dispersed biologically active molecules to yield a polymer device which can be placed in a fluid environment, so that fluid is absorbed by the device and the water soluble molecules diffuse into the fluid environment, leaving behind pores and channels, where the rate of diffusion is limited by an impermeable coating over a portion of tThe U.S. Government has rights in this invention by virtue of this research supported in part by N.I.H. Grant GM26698.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and composition for treatment of ischemic, metabolic, congenital, or degenerative disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. The composition is formed by encapsulation within an implantable biocompatible polymeric device of one or more compounds which have the effect or replacing or stimulating functions of the nervous system. A variety of biocompatible polymers including both biodegradable and non-degradable polymers can be used to form the implants. An essential feature of the composition is linear release, achieved through manipulation of the polymer composition and form. The selection of the shape, size, drug, polymer, and method for implantation are determined on an individual basis according to the disorder to be treated and the individual patient response.