Abstract: A topical composition includes a nanoemulsion of a plurality of hydrophobic particles having a hydrophilic coating therein. The hydrophobic particles are derived from the same or different hydrophobic material and each hydrophobic particle has a melting point below the melting point of the respective hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic particles comprise a mean particle size of less than about 10 nm, and the nanoemulsion further includes one or more pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: A biocompatible article including (a) a biocompatible hydrogel; (b) an adhesive coating on at least a portion of the hydrogel; and (c) one or more organisms adhered to at least a portion of the adhesive coating is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: A topical composition includes a nanoemulsion of a plurality of hydrophobic particles having a hydrophilic coating therein. The hydrophobic particles are derived from the same or different hydrophobic material and each hydrophobic particle has a melting point below the melting point of the respective hydrophobic material. The nanoemulsion further includes one or more pharmaceutically active agents and/or one or more chemiluminescent disease-detecting systems.

Abstract: A biocompatible article including (a) a biocompatible hydrogel; (b) an adhesive coating on at least a portion of the hydrogel; and (c) one or more organisms adhered to at least a portion of the adhesive coating is disclosed.