Abstract: A solvent exchange method is employed to provide microencapsulated compositions, such as microcapsules of pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on an exchange of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent, whereby a decline in solvent quality for the organic solvent causes a polymer dissolved therein to be deposited onto an aqueous core. Optimal results are rationalized in terms of a balance of water solubility and surface tension for the organic solvent. In a preferred embodiment, microcapsules of selected drugs are formed by contacting microdroplets of an aqueous solution containing the drug with the organic solvent containing a polymer dissolved therein. A preferred method employs biodegradable poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) dissolved in acetic acid, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, or ethyl formate, to form a PLGA membrane around an aqueous drug core. The method is particularly attractive for encapsulating protein-based drugs without substantial denaturation.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of said strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: A superporous hydrogel composite is formed by polymerizing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers, and a multiolefinic crosslinking agent, in the presence of particles of a disintegrant and a blowing agent. The disintegrant, which rapidly absorbs water, serves to greatly increase the mechanical strength of the superporous hydrogel and significantly shorten the time required to absorb water and swell. Superporous hydrogel composites prepared by this method have an average pore size in the range of 10 &mgr;m to 3,000 &mgr;m. Preferred particles of disintegrant include natural and synthetic charged polymers, such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked sodium starch glycolate, and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blowing agent is preferably a compound that releases gas bubbles upon acidification, such as NaHCO3. Improved hydrogel composites formed without a blowing agent are also provided.

Abstract: Polymerizable saccharide monomers are made by the reaction of a saccharose and a (meth)acrylate. Hydrophilic, hydrophobic and thermoreversible gels and foams are formed upon polymerization of the saccharide monomers. Hydrophilic sucrose monomers are synthesized by reaction of sucrose with an epoxy acrylate. Hydrophobic sucrose monomers are synthesized by reaction of sucrose with methacrylol chloride followed by acetyl chloride. Thermoreversible sucrose monomers are obtained by modifying sucrose with polymerizable substituents prepared from methacryloyl chloride and aminocarboxylic acids. The modified sucrose monomers are copolymerized with hydrophobic poly(alkyleneoxide) (meth)acrylates to produce hydrogels exhibiting inverse thermoreversible properties. The thermosensitive hydrogels are biodegradable and can be used in the area of controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: Methods for grafting unmodified PEO or any other water-soluble polymers to the surfaces of metals and glasses to form biocompatible surfaces having low protein affinity is provided. One technique includes the steps of: (a) providing a support member having a plurality of hydroxyl or oxide groups attached to a surface of said support member; (b) exposing said surface to a silane coupling agent to cause the silane coupling agent to form a silane layer that is covalently bound to the surface wherein the silane layer comprises a plurality of vinyl groups; and (c) exposing the silane layer to a hydrophilic polymer and causing the silane layer to react with the hydrophilic polymer to covalently bond to the silane layer. Exposure of the silane layer to .gamma.-radiation to induce grafting with low radiation to induce grafting of the hydrophilic polymer to the silane layer.

Abstract: A water swellable foam matrix formed as a macroporous solid comprising a foam stabilizing agent and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a multiolefin-functional crosslinking agent is described. The foam matrix is characterized by rapid swelling and high water swelling ratios.

Abstract: A vaccine composition including an antigen dispersed in an alginate gel is described. The alginate gel is preferably in the form of discrete particles coated with a polymer. Vaccination of vertebrate species can be accomplished by administering the alginate-based vaccine compositions orally.

Abstract: A medical device has one or more polymeric substrates each treated with a chemically binding coating to make each polymeric substrate compatible for contact with blood. A modified natural and substantially hydrophilic blood protein bonds permanently to each substrate. The protein is functionalized with bonding sites so after application thereof to each substrate and if subject to sufficient radiation, free radicals created on each substrate and the functionalized protein chemically bind. A modifier added to the protein creates sites by functionalizing it before application to each substrate. The functionalized combination is applied to each substrate. The protein is human or animal albumin as bovine.The modifier are molecules having an epoxy function for attachment to the human or animal albumin. An unsaturated double bond forms or accepts free radicals at bonding sites. The modifier added to the protein is glycidyl acrylate.

Abstract: An oral vaccine formulation is provided for stimulation of an immune response in gut-associated lymphoid tissues. The formulation comprises an enzymatically degradable antigen in a hydrogel matrix. In ruminant species, the vaccine formulation, upon oral administration, is formed to pass through the rumen without substantial hydration and then into the post-ruminal portion of the digestive tract where the antigen is released for contact with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.