Abstract: An adjustable hidden or invisible hinge for mounting a door-panel or window sash to a frame is provided that is useable for either rebated or flush mount applications using the same hinge. This is possible due to the use of two different types of arm systems that connect the frame part of the hinge to the sash or door part. These include a rotational lever arm system that allows for 180° guided rotational movement which is combined with a translational arm system that at the same time superimposes a translational movement of the sash movable body relative to the sash body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling molecular transport are disclosed herein. The devices include a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels extending therethrough. The membrane has an inner electrically conductive layer and an outer dielectric layer. The outer dielectric layer creates an insulative barrier between the electrically conductive layer and the contents of the nanochannels. At least one electrical contact region is positioned on a surface of the membrane. The electrical contact region exposes the electrically conductive layer of the membrane for electrical coupling to external electronics. When the membrane is at a first voltage, molecules flow through the nanochannels at a first release rate. When the membrane is at a second voltage, charge accumulation within the nanochannels modulates the flow of molecules through the nanochannels to a second release rate that is different than the first release rate.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: A nanochannel delivery device and method of manufacturing and use. The nanochannel delivery device comprises an inlet, an outlet, electrodes and a nanochannel. The nanochannel may be oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device. The inlet and outlet may be in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a composition for the sustained-release delivery of an active agent to a target cell of an individual. The compositions disclosed herein comprise of at least one porous particle; at least one polymer; and at least one active agent. In an embodiment, the porous particle comprises a plurality of microscale reservoirs. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one active agent is covalently linked to the at least one polymer to form a polymer-active agent conjugate, and the polymer-active agent conjugate is contained in the plurality of microscale reservoirs of the porous particle. In some embodiments, the active agent is released with zero-order or near zero-order kinetics following administration of the composition. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of treating a tumor by administering to an individual the composition described supra.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a composition for the sustained-release delivery of an active agent to a target cell of an individual. The compositions disclosed herein comprise of at least one porous particle; at least one polymer; and at least one active agent. In an embodiment, the porous particle comprises a plurality of microscale reservoirs. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one active agent is covalently linked to the at least one polymer to form a polymer-active agent conjugate, and the polymer-active agent conjugate is contained in the plurality of microscale reservoirs of the porous particle. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of treating a tumor, comprising the step of administering to an individual the composition described supra. Additionally, disclosed herein is a method of eliminating tumor stem cells. Furthermore, there is provided a method of circumventing multi-drug resistance in a tumor cell.

Abstract: An anvil for transversally sealing a tube having a longitudinal seam portion can include a first elongate contact surface and a second elongate contact surface. In some embodiments, the first elongate contact surface includes a first groove and the second elongate contact surface includes a second groove, each one of the first groove and the second groove being adapted to receive, in use, a respective section of the longitudinal seam portion of the tube. The first elongate contact surface can include a first seam interaction portion positioned within the first groove and having a first surface profile. The second elongate contact surface can include a second seam interaction portion positioned within the second groove and having a second surface profile. In some embodiments, the first surface profile differs from the second surface profile.

Abstract: An anvil for transversally sealing a tube having a longitudinal seam portion can include a first elongate contact surface and a second elongate contact surface. In some embodiments, the first elongate contact surface includes a first groove and the second elongate contact surface includes a second groove, each one of the first groove and the second groove being adapted to receive, in use, a respective section of the longitudinal seam portion of the tube. The first elongate contact surface can include a first seam interaction portion positioned within the first groove and having a first surface profile. The second elongate contact surface can include a second seam interaction portion positioned within the second groove and having a second surface profile. In some embodiments, the first surface profile differs from the second surface profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions containing functionalized nanoporous silicon particles, useful in a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic regimens for delivery of genetic constructs to one or more cells, tissues, and/or organs of interest. Also provided are methods for introducing into selected host cells one or more selected nucleic acid molecules. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of treating a tumor, comprising the step of administering to an individual one or more of the compositions and formulations thereof as described herein.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a particle that includes a first porous region and a second porous region that differs from the first porous region. Also provided is a particle that has a wet etched porous region and that does have a nucleation layer associated with wet etching. Methods of making porous particles are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions containing functionalized nanoporous silicon particles, useful in a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic regimens for delivery of genetic constructs to one or more cells, tissues, and/or organs of interest. Also provided are methods for introducing into selected host cells one or more selected nucleic acid molecules. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of treating a tumor, comprising the step of administering to an individual one or more of the compositions and formulations thereof as described herein.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: Porous silicon (pSi) microparticles (PSM) are disclosed, which provide an important advance in the area of cancer immunotherapeutics and molecular nanomedicine. In particular, potent PSM-based adjuvants are disclosed for dendritic cell-based vaccines compositions, and methods for their use in a variety of cancer immunotherapies. The PSM of the present invention are also useful in developing other types of vaccines, including those not necessarily related to the treatment of cancers, such as vaccines for the treatment of acne, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune disorders, autoinflammatory disease, celiac disease, colitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, infectious diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ischemia, Lupus, pelvic inflammatory disease, reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, transplant rejection, West Nile virus, and related illnesses.

Abstract: Disclosed are method of detecting or characterizing a tumor by quantitatively measuring and comparing changes in mass transfer into the tumor and normal tissue over time using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The methods can be used to predict therapeutic response to treatment and to develop treatment plans.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: Disclosed are micro/nano composite drug delivery compositions for use in diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and/or amelioration of one or more symptoms of a mammalian disease, disorder, dysfunction, or abnormal condition. In illustrative embodiments, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these composites are provided that are useful in methods for targeting selected mammalian cells and tissues, particularly human lung tissue, and delivering one or more therapeutic agents, particularly in the treatment of human lung cancers, such as melanoma lung metastases.