Abstract: A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring physical properties of an analyte (particularly, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting/coagulation, as well as evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulation drugs and/or their reversal agents. The assay is independent of the presence of anticoagulant; clotting is activated by exposure of the blood sample in the device to a glass (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silicon) surface, which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further hastened by the application of shear flow across the activating materials surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a battery comprising a hydrophobic component disposed on or in the battery that can reduce the batteries contact with water thereby providing a safer battery in case of ingestion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a battery providing safety measures in case of ingestion. A battery may include a radiopaque marker distinguishing the battery from coins when x-rayed. A battery may include a pressure-sensitive coating that deactivates the battery in the absence of pressure.

Abstract: A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring physical properties of an analyte (particularly, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting/coagulation, as well as evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulation drugs and/or their reversal agents. The assay is independent of the presence of anticoagulant; clotting is activated by exposure of the blood sample in the device to a glass (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silicon) surface, which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further hastened by the application of shear flow across the activating materials surface.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for securing to and removing adhesive tapes from substrates, e.g., delicate substrates such as skin, are described. The methods include providing an adhesive tape comprising an adhesive layer and a support layer in contact with the adhesive layer. A first adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the support layer is, or can be controlled to be, less than a second adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the substrate. The methods further include applying the adhesive tape to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer to the substrate while the support layer remains in contact with the adhesive layer; and removing the support layer from the substrate by separating the support layer from the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A battery for use in electronic devices and which is safely ingested into a body and a related method of making the battery. The battery includes an anode, a cathode and a quantum tunneling composite coating. The quantum tunneling composite coating covers at least a portion of at least one of the anode or the cathode and provides pressure sensitive conductive properties to the battery including a compressive stress threshold for conduction. The compressive stress threshold may be greater than a pre-determined applied stress in a digestive tract of the body in order to prevent harm if the battery is ingested. The battery may include a waterproof seal that extends between the quantum tunneling composite coating and a gasket separating the anode and cathode to inhibit the battery from short circuiting in a conductive fluid below the compressive stress threshold.

Abstract: A battery for use in electronic devices and which is safely ingested into a body and a related method of making the battery. The battery includes an anode, a cathode and a quantum tunneling composite coating. The quantum tunneling composite coating covers at least a portion of at least one of the anode or the cathode and provides pressure sensitive conductive properties to the battery including a compressive stress threshold for conduction. The compressive stress threshold may be greater than a pre-determined applied stress in a digestive tract of the body in order to prevent harm if the battery is ingested. The battery may include a waterproof seal that extends between the quantum tunneling composite coating and a gasket separating the anode and cathode to inhibit the battery from short circuiting in a conductive fluid below the compressive stress threshold.

Abstract: A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring physical properties of an analyte (particularly, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting/coagulation, as well as evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulation drugs and/or their reversal agents. The assay is independent of the presence of anticoagulant; clotting is activated by exposure of the blood sample in the device to a glass (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silicon) surface, which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further hastened by the application of shear flow across the activating materials surface.

Abstract: A battery for use in electronic devices and which is safely ingested into a body and a related method of making the battery. The battery includes an anode, a cathode and a quantum tunneling composite coating. The quantum tunneling composite coating covers at least a portion of at least one of the anode or the cathode and provides pressure sensitive conductive properties to the battery including a compressive stress threshold for conduction. The compressive stress threshold may be greater than a pre-determined applied stress in a digestive tract of the body in order to prevent harm if the battery is ingested. The battery may include a waterproof seal that extends between the quantum tunneling composite coating and a gasket separating the anode and cathode to inhibit the battery from short circuiting in a conductive fluid below the compressive stress threshold.

Abstract: An effective method for prolonging localization of therapeutics within the rat gastrointestinal tract of at least about 12 hours is provided. The method includes localization of therapeutic agents that are nanoparticulated or nanoencapsulated. Attractive forces between an orally administered magnetic dose and an external magnet were monitored and internal dose motion in real time using biplanar videofluoroscopy was visualized. Tissue elasticity was quantified as a measure of tissue health by combining data streams. The methods address safety, efficacy, and monitoring capacity of magnetically localized doses and show a platform for testing the benefits of localized drug delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus provides targeted placement of openings for infusing fluids into a body. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus due to contraction of an element made of interlaced flexible elements. A multi-opening needle is provided in some embodiments wherein placement of one of the openings in a target region with a relatively lower external pressure allows pressurized fluid to exit the needle while openings remaining in higher pressure, non-target regions do not release substantial amounts of the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for securing to and removing adhesive tapes from substrates, e.g., delicate substrates such as skin, are described. The methods include providing an adhesive tape comprising an adhesive layer and a support layer in contact with the adhesive layer. A first adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the support layer is, or can be controlled to be, less than a second adhesion level between the adhesive layer and the substrate. The methods further include applying the adhesive tape to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer to the substrate while the support layer remains in contact with the adhesive layer; and removing the support layer from the substrate by separating the support layer from the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An effective method for prolonging localization of therapeutics within the rat gastrointestinal tract of at least about 12 hours is provided. Attractive forces between an orally administered magnetic dose and an external magnet were monitored and internal dose motion in real time using biplanar videofluoroscopy was visualized. Tissue elasticity was quantified as a measure of tissue health by combining data streams. The methods address safety, efficacy, and monitoring capacity of magnetically localized doses and show a platform for testing the benefits of localized drug delivery.

Abstract: Diuretic bioactivity profiles of phase inversion micronized furosemide and furosemide co-precipitated with Eudragit L100, and mixtures of those formulations with stock furosemide, reduced or eliminated the rapid spike in diuresis associated with immediate release formulations and maintained cumulative urine output. Of the formulations tested, each of a mixture of micronized furosemide with stock furosemide, and Eudragit L100 polymer with stock furosemide demonstrated optimal diuretic bioactivity profiles in subjects.

Abstract: Nanoparticles, compositions, and methods for the improved uptake of active agents are disclosed herein. The compositions contain a monodisperse population of nanoparticles, preferably including an active agent, where the nanoparticles are formed from a polymeric material possessing specified bioadhesion characteristics. Following enteral administration, preferably oral administration, the nanoparticles exhibit total intestinal uptakes of greater than 20%, preferably greater than 45%, more preferably greater than 65%. When compared to uptake of the same compositon in the absence of the bioadhesive polymeric material, the nanoparticles have significantly increased uptake with intestinal uptake of the increased by more than 100%, preferably even greater than 500%. Further disclosed herein is a method of producing multi-walled nanoparticles, as well as methods of using thereof. Multi-walled particles prepared using the method disclosed herein are useful for controlling the release of active agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and uses thereof. A devices disclosed herein comprises one or more tips, wherein the one or more tips are designed and constructed to initiate penetration by the device; and one or more protrusions in a region adjacent to each tip. In some embodiments, one or more protrusions can be constructed and arranged so that the required penetration force is reduced as compared with that observed for an otherwise identical device lacking the one or more protrusions. Additionally or alternatively, one or more protrusions can be constructed and arranged such that the required pull-out force is increased as compared with that observed for an otherwise identical device lacking the one or more protrusions.

Abstract: An effective method for prolonging localization of therapeutics within the rat gastrointestinal tract of at least about 12 hours is provided. The method includes localization of therapeutic agents that are nanoparticulated or nanoencapsulated. Attractive forces between an orally administered magnetic dose and an external magnet were monitored and internal dose motion in real time using biplanar videofluoroscopy was visualized. Tissue elasticity was quantified as a measure of tissue health by combining data streams. The methods address safety, efficacy, and monitoring capacity of magnetically localized doses and show a platform for testing the benefits of localized drug delivery.

Abstract: An effective method for prolonging localization of therapeutics within the rat gastrointestinal tract of at least about 12 hours is provided. Attractive forces between an orally administered magnetic dose and an external magnet were monitored and internal dose motion in real time using biplanar videofluoroscopy was visualized. Tissue elasticity was quantified as a measure of tissue health by combining data streams. The methods address safety, efficacy, and monitoring capacity of magnetically localized doses and show a platform for testing the benefits of localized drug delivery.

Abstract: Diuretic bioactivity profiles of phase inversion micronized furosemide and furosemide co-precipitated with Eudragit L100, and mixtures of those formulations with stock furosemide, reduced or eliminated the rapid spike in diuresis associated with immediate release formulations and maintained cumulative urine output. Of the formulations tested, each of a mixture of micronized furosemide with stock furosemide, and Eudragit L100 polymer with stock furosemide demonstrated optimal diuretic bioactivity profiles in subjects.

Abstract: Nanoparticles, compositions, and methods for the improved uptake of active agents are disclosed herein. The compositions contain a monodisperse population of nanoparticles, preferably including an active agent, where the nanoparticles are formed from a polymeric material possessing specified bioadhesion characteristics. Following enteral administration, preferably oral administration, the nanoparticles exhibit total intestinal uptakes of greater than 20%, preferably greater than 45%, more preferably greater than 65%. When compared to uptake of the same composition in the absence of the bioadhesive polymeric material, the nanoparticles have significantly increased uptake with intestinal uptake of the increased by more than 100%, preferably even greater than 500%. Further disclosed herein is a method of producing multi-walled nanoparticles, as well as methods of using thereof. Multi-walled particles prepared using the method disclosed herein are useful for controlling the release of active agents.