Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, systems, and tools for modeling the canine liver and methods of using the same. The disclosure provides micropatterned hepatocyte co-cultures where individual cell populations remain functionally stable during long-term culture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, systems, and tools for modeling the canine liver and methods of using the same. The disclosure provides micropatterned hepatocyte co-cultures where individual cell populations remain functionally stable during long-term culture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, systems, and tools for modeling liver inflammation and methods of using the same. The disclosure provides micropatterned hepatocyte-Kupffer cell co-cultures or Kupffer cell-treated hepatocyte co-cultures where hepatocytes maintain Kupffer cell-initiated activities during long-term culture. The in vitro liver inflammation models of the present disclosure may be useful for evaluating both acute as well as chronic inflammation-mediated toxicities of compounds in a pre-clinical setting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stamps to print or mask materials on a substrate service. In one particular embodiment, the systems and methods include a microcontacting stamp that has a plurality of rigid posts each having a resilient pad at its distal end. Each post is fitted within an aperture located in a guide plate such that the post may move longitudinally within the guide plate. The guide plate includes a variety of apertures that typically are aligned with the wells of a microtiter plate. The apertures extend typically through the entire thickness of the guide plate. On one side of the guide plate is a resilient member that extends over one or more of the apertures thereby holding the post in place.

Abstract: Methods for processing microparticles involve providing a composition comprising a plurality of solid microparticles and at least one non-volatile material, providing a non-solvent, and exposing the composition to the non-solvent to remove at least a portion of the non-volatile material from the composition while retaining at least the microparticles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stamps to print or mask materials on a substrate service. In one particular embodiment, the systems and methods include a microcontacting stamp that has a plurality of rigid posts each having a resilient pad at its distal end. Each post is fitted within an aperture located in a guide plate such that the post may move longitudinally within the guide plate. The guide plate includes a variety of apertures that typically are aligned with the wells of a microtiter plate. The apertures extend typically through the entire thickness of the guide plate. On one side of the guide plate is a resilient member that extends over one or more of the apertures thereby holding the post in place.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for preparing small spherical particles of an active agent by providing a solution in a single liquid phase. The single liquid phase comprises an active agent, a phase separation enhancing agent, and a first solvent. A phase change is induced at a controlled rate in the solution to cause a liquid-solid phase separation of the active agent and to form a solid phase and a liquid phase. The solid phase comprises solid small spherical particles of the active agent. The liquid phase comprises the phase separation enhancing agent and the solvent. The small spherical particles are substantially spherical and having a size from about 0.01 ?m to about 200 ?m.

Abstract: Methods for processing microparticles involve providing a composition comprising a plurality of solid microparticles and at least one non-volatile material, providing a non-solvent, and exposing the composition to the non-solvent to remove at least a portion of the non-volatile material from the composition while retaining at least the microparticles.

Abstract: An dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The dry powder inhaler is designed so that a user's breath vacuums the dry powder from a well within the housing and directs the powder in a direct path to the user. This design prevents impaction and agglomeration of powder within the inhaler. A flow restrictor may be added within the inhaler to increase turbulence and thus increase dispersion of powder within the air inhaled by the user.

Abstract: Pulmonary formulations containing microparticles and a propellant are provided. The microparticles, preferably microspheres, contain protein and exhibit a fine particle fraction in the range of 25 to 100%.

Abstract: Red blood cells are removed from whole blood or a fraction thereof by agglutinating whole blood with a mixture of a free agglutinating agent and nucleating particles having agglutinating agent intimately associated therewith to form clusters of red blood cells. High molecular weight polyethylene glycol may be added further to enhance agglutination. The clusters of red blood cells are much larger than the size of individual red blood cells, so that the clusters can easily be filtered through a porous medium. The plasma, which is substantially free of red blood cells, is further passed through a filter that optionally contains an additional agglutinating agent. Flow-delay additives may be provided to retain the fluid sample in contact with a reagent for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Red blood cells are removed from whole blood or a fraction thereof by contacting whole blood with a combination of an agglutinating agent and nucleating particles to form clusters of red blood cells. High molecular weight polyethylene glycol may be added further to enhance agglutination. The clusters of red blood cells are much larger than the size of individual red blood cells, so that the clusters can easily be filtered through a porous medium. The plasma which is substantially free of red blood cells is further passed through a filter that optionally contains an additional agglutinating agent. Flow-delay means may be provided to return the fluid sample in contact with a regard for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Red blood cells are removed from whole blood or a fraction thereof by contacting whole blood with a combination of an agglutinating agent and nucleating particles to form clusters of red blood cells. High molecular weight polyethylene glycol may be added further to enhance agglutination. The clusters of red blood cells are much larger than the size of individual red blood cells, so that the clusters can easily be filtered through a porous medium. The plasma which is substantially free of red blood cells is further passed through a filter that optionally contains an additional agglutinating agent.

Abstract: A quantitative test device is manufactured using a feedback loop which allows one to modify continuously the dimensions of a reading scale printed on the device. The quantitative test device is manufactured by attaching the critical component of a two-component dye system to minute particles such as microcrystalline cellulose, silica, or latex, which particles are suspended in a solution of a polymeric binder. Additional non-immobilized components of the reaction system of the test device are optionally added to the polymer solution. The suspension of dyed particles in polymer solution is applied to a fabric as a coating, using conventional coating machines, to obtain a homogeneous distribution of immobilized dye throughout the fabric.The device includes a measurement zone which is made from a film support made of a material having a lower melting point than the filter cloth fabric used in the measurement zone was used.

Abstract: An analytical device for fluid samples includes a fluid sample well means connected to a sample initiation area in such a fashion that the assay will not commence unless sufficient sample is introduced into the sample well means to conduct the assay. Once sufficient sample has been deposited into the sample well means, the sample flows into an initiation area and the assay commences.

Abstract: A completely water-soluble, solid, labile biochemical-containing diagnostic reagent is prepared without the need of a lyophilization step, by spraying, preferably by a fluidized bed process, an aqueous solution of labile biochemical, e.g., an enzyme, onto small particles, e.g., lower than 20 mesh, of an inert, completely water-soluble solid bulking agent, e.g., mannitol; drying the resultant labile biochemical-coated bulking agent to the desired dryness; and then forming resultant dried labile biochemical-coated bulking agent into a tablet suitable for a diagnostic test reagent, said tablet having a predetermined rate of dissolution.

Abstract: A completely water-soluble, solid, labile biochemical-containing diagnostic reagent is prepared without the need of a lyophilization step, by spraying, preferably by a fluidized bed process, an aqueous solution of labile biochemical, e.g., an enzyme, onto small particles, e.g., lower than 20 mesh, of an inert, completely water-soluble solid bulking agent, e.g., mannitol; drying the resultant labile biochemical-coated bulking agent to the desired dryness; and then forming resultant dried labile biochemical-coated bulking agent into a tablet suitable for a diagnostic test reagent, said tablet having a predetermined rate of dissolution.