Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void splace. In a preferred embodiment, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane comprises a polyalkyleneimine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneimine is polyethyleneimine. Treatment of the polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking reagent causes the polyethyleneimine polymers to polymerize forming a seal. In certain instances, the cross-linking reagent is a polyethylene glycol having reactive terminal groups. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy succinimide ester. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are isocyanates. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine has a lysine, cysteine, isocysteine or other nucleophilic group attached to the periphery of the polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer compositions, compounds, processes, and methods of use of the polymers for drug delivery, biodegradable consumer plastics, or solvents for Li-based batteries or supercapacitors. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that poly(glyceric acid carbonate)s and alkyl functionalized poly(1,2 glycerol carbonates) and poly(glyceric acid carbonate)s and pharmaceutical agent/composition functionalized poly(1,2 glycerol carbonates) and poly(glyceric acid carbonate)s represent a new type of glycerol based polymer that 1) degrade into glycerol and carbon dioxide; 2) the poly(1,2 glycerol carbonates) degrade more readily than conventional poly(1,3 glycerol carbonates; and 3) poly(1,2 glycerol carbonates) can be processed to give melts, viscous fluids, liquids, films, sheets, gels, meshes, foams, fibers, or particles.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void splace. In a preferred embodiment, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane comprises a polyalkyleneimine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneimine is polyethyleneimine. Treatment of the polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking reagent causes the polyethyleneimine polymers to polymerize forming a seal. In certain instances, the cross-linking reagent is a polyethylene glycol having reactive terminal groups. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy succinimide ester. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are isocyanates. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine has a lysine, cysteine, isocysteine or other nucleophilic group attached to the periphery of the polymer.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to dissolvable hydrogel compositions and methods of uses, e.g., but not limited to, in wound management. Accordingly, methods for wound management involving the dissolvable hydrogel compositions are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the dissolvable hydrogel composition comprises an adhesive thioester hydrogel, which can facilitate adherence of the dissolvable hydrogen composition to a surface (e.g., a wound) and can be controllably dissolved later upon addition of a thiolate compound to release the dissolvable hydrogel composition from the surface (e.g., the wound).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void splace. In a preferred embodiment, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane comprises a polyalkyleneimine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneimine is polyethyleneimine. Treatment of the polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking reagent causes the polyethyleneimine polymers to polymerize forming a seal. In certain instances, the cross-linking reagent is a polyethylene glycol having reactive terminal groups. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy succinimide ester. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are isocyanates. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine has a lysine, cysteine, isocysteine or other nucleophilic group attached to the periphery of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of liquid surface tension using a small, portable sensor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sensor on which a droplet of the sample liquid is placed and quickly either wets and changes color or remains non-wetted for several minutes. The detection range of this type of sensor is tunable to surface tensions useful for detecting surfactant levels in water, biological liquids, and other liquids, making it useful for a variety of medical, veterinary, home-care, environmental, and global health applications.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to tissue markers and uses thereof, e.g., to mark a target tissue site (e.g., a biopsy site in a breast tissue) or to produce a cell scaffold. The tissue markers described herein are designed to be resistant to fast migration (e.g., immediate migration after implantation through a needle track) and slow migration (e.g., over an extended period of time) upon implantation at a target tissue site (e.g., a biopsy site in a breast tissue), without using an adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, the tissue markers described herein can be readily detectable by at least one imaging modality, e.g., but not limited to magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray imaging, ultrasound imaging, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are 3-dimensional drug-eluting materials comprising biodegradable polymer(s), one or more bioactive agents and entrapped air. Various embodiments of the methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery of hydrophobic doping agents that can be used in the manufacture of polymeric drug delivery compositions that permit the encapsulation of air, thereby permitting tunable drug release via controlled air removal. Such compositions are particularly useful for delivering therapeutically effective doses of one or more bioactive agents to a subject over an extended period of time (e.g., days, weeks, or months).

Abstract: Provided herein are polymeric particles and compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based particles and methods of using those particles to localize or concentrate a subsequently delivered agent to an in vivo site.

Abstract: A compliant composite for delivering a bioactive agent including a scaffolding material and a polymer coating that together can be attached to compliant tissue surfaces is disclosed, along with methods for constructing and applying these composites. In some embodiments, the composite further comprises a barrier layer for localized delivery of the bioactive agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are conjugates of hydrophobic drugs linked to protected or unprotected amino acids or peptides. The disclosed conjugates are amphiphilic and can self assemble into nanotubes. Nanotubes comprising the conjugates are also described and can have high loading of the drug and protect it from degradation or elimination. The nanotubes are well suited to deliver hydrophobic and unstable drugs to individuals.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics formed between [1] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations; and [2] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions. Another embodiment of the invention is the use of the inventive ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics, formed between a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations and a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions, to form a crosslinked network. In certain embodiments, the ionic liquids formed can be viscous liquids, viscous liquid formed networks, or viscoelastic networks/gels. In certain embodiments, the ionic material of the invention may be used for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, lubricants, additives, gas separation, liquid separation, membranes, fuel cells, sensors, batteries, coatings, heat storage, liquid crystals, biocompatible fluids, solvents, and electronic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides new biopolymers which mimic the properties of natural polysaccharides found in vivo. The inventive polysaccharides can be used as viscosupplements, viscoelastics, tissue space fillers, and/or anti-adhesive agents. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive polymers and methods of using them including, for example, in the treatment of arthritic and sport-injured knee joints; in reconstruction or cosmetic procedures, intervertebral disc repair, treatment of vocal cord problems, treatment of urinary incontinence, and prevention of adhesion formation following abdominal or gynecological surgery.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics formed between [1] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations; and [2] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions. Another embodiment of the invention is the use of the inventive ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics, formed between a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations and a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions, to form a crosslinked network. In certain embodiments, the ionic liquids formed can be viscous liquids, viscous liquid formed networks, or viscoelastic networks/gels. In certain embodiments, the ionic material of the invention may be used for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, lubricants, additives, gas separation, liquid separation, membranes, fuel cells, sensors, batteries, coatings, heat storage, liquid crystals, biocompatible fluids, solvents, and electronic materials.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides branched polymers which can be used as lubricants or shock absorbers in vivo. For example, the inventive polymers can be used as viscosupplements, viscoelastics, tissue space fillers, and/or anti-adhesive agents. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive polymers and methods of using them including, for example, in the treatment of arthritic and sport-injured knee joints; in reconstruction or cosmetic procedures, intervertebral disc repair, treatment of vocal cord problems, treatment of urinary incontinence, and prevention of adhesion formation following abdominal or gynecological surgery.

Abstract: A compliant composite for delivering a bioactive agent including a scaffolding material and a polymer coating that together can be attached to compliant tissue surfaces is disclosed, along with methods for constructing and applying these composites. In some embodiments, the composite further comprises a barrier layer for localized delivery of the bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful as contrast agents, such as for the CT imaging of cartilage tissue. The contrast agents are generally iodinated organic molecules that are positively charged under physiological environments. Also provided are compositions containing contrast agents and methods of using the agents, including, for example, the monitoring of glycosaminoglycan content in cartilage tissue. The invention provides non-invasive analytical techniques for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis in its earliest stages. The invention also provides improvements over existing contrast agents for cartilage monitoring, which tend to exhibit low residence times and require high dosages.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a synthetic non-viral vector composition for gene therapy. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the composition for in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo transfer of genetic material. The invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical composition (useful for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell), containing a non-cationic amphiphilic molecule or macro-molecule; or a cationic amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity upon a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction. Another aspect of the invention relates to multicationic compounds that are composed of three or more amino acids. The present invention also relates to the use of the pharmaceutical composition for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell. Moreover, the invention encompasses the non-viral vector compositions tethered to a surface.