Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the storage and controlled release of a solid form of a drug. The device comprises a body portion; one or more reservoirs located in and defined by the body portion; a solid matrix which comprises a drug and which is contained in each of the one or more reservoirs; and one or more excipient materials dispersed throughout pores or interstices within the solid matrix and substantially filling any space not otherwise occupied by the solid matrix within each of the one or more reservoirs, wherein the excipient material enhances stability of the drug while stored in the one or more reservoirs or enhances release of the drug from each reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, the device provides for the storage and controlled exposure of a chemical sensor material.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for transdermal diagnostic sensing, alone or in combination with transdermal drug delivery. The device includes a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs, each reservoir having at least one opening; contents disposed in the reservoirs, the contents of each reservoir including a diagnostic agent or a sensor for measuring an analyte; at least one discrete reservoir cap which cover said at least one opening; control means for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap; means for transporting an analyte from the skin to said sensors and/or for transporting said diagnostic agent to the skin following release of said diagnostic agents from said reservoir; and means for securing the device to the skin of a patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for transdermal administration of a pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate, one or more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir caps that prevent the pharmaceutical agent from passing out from the reservoirs until desired, control means for actuating release of the one or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps, means for securing the device to the skin of the patient, and means for transporting the pharmaceutical agent to the skin following release from the one or more of the reservoirs. In another embodiment, the device is adapted for diagnostic sensing instead of or in addition to drug delivery.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods of use are provided for controlled drug delivery. The devices may include an elongated body dimensioned to facilitate minimally invasive and complete implantation into a patient, wherein the elongated body portion comprises a first, closed end portion, a second closed end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between and connected to the first closed end portion and the second closed end portion; two or more discrete reservoirs disposed in the elongated body portion, each reservoir having one or more openings; a drug formulation, which comprises at least one drug, disposed in the two more discrete reservoirs; and reservoir caps closing off the one or more openings of each reservoir, wherein release of the drug in vivo is controlled at least in part by the in vivo disintegration or permeabilization of the discrete reservoir caps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for releasing a ligand from a complex of the ligand with an endogenous protein using a releasing agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the storage and controlled release of a solid form of a drug. The device comprises a body portion; one or more reservoirs located in and defined by the body portion; a solid matrix which comprises a drug and which is contained in each of the one or more reservoirs; and one or more excipient materials dispersed throughout pores or interstices within the solid matrix and substantially filling any space not otherwise occupied by the solid matrix within each of the one or more reservoirs, wherein the excipient material enhances stability of the drug while stored in the one or more reservoirs or enhances release of the drug from each reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, the device provides for the storage and controlled exposure of a chemical sensor material.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for releasing a ligand from a complex thereof. The method comprises contacting a medium suspected of containing such complex with an effective amount of a compound effective in releasing the ligand. Another aspect of the present invention is an improvement in a method for the determination of an analyte that is a member of a specific binding pair in a sample suspected of containing such analyte. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing in an assay medium the sample and a binding partner for the analyte and (b) detecting the binding of the binding partner to the analyte. The improvement comprises including in the assay medium a compound of the invention in an amount sufficient to enhance the accuracy of the determination. The invention has particular application to a method for releasing mycophenolic acid from a complex thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to assays for the detection of mycophenolic acid. The method comprises including in an assay medium suspected of containing mycophenolic acid a releasing agent for releasing mycophenolic acid from a complex with endogenous proteins. Another aspect of the present invention is an improvement in a method for the determination of mycophenolic acid in a sample suspected of containing such analyte. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing in combination in an assay medium the sample and a binding partner for the analyte and (b) detecting the binding of the binding partner to the analyte. The improvement comprises including in the assay medium a releasing agent for releasing mycophenolic acid from a complex with endogenous proteins. The present invention also provides assay reagents as well as packaged kits useful for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Denaturing agents used to pretreat test samples for immunoassays are neutralized and deactivated by the addition of a treatment agent which is a combination of a buffering agent in acid form and an agent for converting the sulfhydryl groups of the denaturing agents to a non-active form such as disulfides or alkylthio groups. The treatment agent serves this function without having sufficient denaturing activity by itself to interfere with subsequent steps of the assay procedure. Also disclosed is a protocol for a vitamin B.sub.12 assay which involves a sequential rather than competitive binding of the B.sub.12 with excess intrinsic factor followed by the binding of excess enzyme-labeled B.sub.12 to any remaining intrinsic and immobilizing such intrinsic factor on a solid phase. Various problems associated with B.sub.12 assays are avoided by this technique.

Abstract: A process for the purification of proteins from solutions containing contaminants of similar net charge and molecular weight is provided, comprising contacting a solution containing the desired protein with an immobilized metal affinity chromatography resin in a buffer containing a low concentration of a weak ligand for the chelant of the resin. The adsorbed protein is then eluted using a buffer having a high concentration of the same weak ligand, e.g., Tris. Particularly preferred features employ agarose-iminodiacetic acid resins having copper cations and are especially useful in obtaining preparations of homogeneous, stable rsT4 proteins.