Abstract: Targeting of a fenestrated vasculature at a body site by micro or nanoparticles can be increased by using particles that have a radius substantially equal to a critical radius of a normal vasculature at the body site. The particles can be used for treating or monitoring a physiological condition responsible for the fenestrated vasculature. A method of improving an ability of micro or nanoparticles to target fenestrated blood vessels in a body site by selecting particles from a population of the micro or nanoparticles, where the selected particles have a radius that permits enhanced delivery into the fenestrated blood vessels.

Abstract: A method of formulating a particle composition having a pre-selected cell internalization mode involves selecting a target cell having surface receptors and obtaining particles that have i) surface moieties, that have an affinity for or are capable of binding to the surface receptors of the cell and ii) a preselected shape, where a surface distribution of the surface moieties on the particles and the shape of the particles are effective for the pre-selected cell internalization mode.

Abstract: A method for releasing an aortic prosthesis includes positioning an introducer in femoral arteries of a patient. Guiding balloon catheters are positioned through the introducers to locate balloons thereof in terminal parts of common iliac arteries. The proximal aorta is clamped, balloons of the guiding catheters are inflated, and the aorta is opened for outside access. Distal ends of releasing balloon catheters are threaded through the guiding catheters and are recovered outside the patient through the introducers. Distal ends of the releasing catheters are connected to distal portions of the prosthesis, which is moved by the catheters until distal portions thereof contact the guiding catheters. The proximal part of the prosthesis is sutured to the aorta. The balloons of the releasing catheters are inflated to fix the distal portions of the prosthesis. Balloons are deflated, catheters are removed, the aorta is sutured, and the introducers are removed.

Abstract: A method for releasing an aortic prosthesis includes positioning an introducer in femoral arteries of a patient. Guiding balloon catheters are positioned through the introducers to locate balloons thereof in terminal parts of common iliac arteries. The proximal aorta is clamped, balloons of the guiding catheters are inflated, and the aorta is opened for outside access. Distal ends of releasing balloon catheters are threaded through the guiding catheters and are recovered outside the patient through the introducers. Distal ends of the releasing catheters are connected to distal portions of the prosthesis, which is moved by the catheters until distal portions thereof contact the guiding catheters. The proximal part of the prosthesis is sutured to the aorta. The balloons of the releasing catheters are inflated to fix the distal portions of the prosthesis. Balloons are deflated, catheters are removed, the aorta is sutured, and the introducers are removed.

Abstract: A folding unit for producing sealed packages of pourable food products from respective packs, each having a main portion folded into a desired shape, and opposite end portions to be folded to form respective folded ends of a relative finished package. The unit has a first folding station, in turn having a first retaining mechanism for securing each pack by a relative first end portion, and a first folding mechanism for folding a relative second end portion of the pack. The unit also has a second folding station located downstream from the first folding station in the traveling direction of the packs, a second retaining mechanism for securing each pack by the relative folded second end portion, and a second folding mechanism for folding the relative first end portion.

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: Nanoporous materials can be used to enrich samples for subsequent analysis of substances contained in the sample. The method is shown to enrich the yield of species in the low molecular weight proteome, allowing detection of small peptides in the low nanomolar range.

Abstract: Endocytosis of an active agent into a cell having surface receptors can be enhanced by using particles that have a radius no less than an endocytotic threshold determined based on a surface density of the receptors, a surface density of the moieties and interaction parameters that include at least one of a receptor-moiety spring constant and a non-specific interaction strength.

Abstract: Provided is a composition that includes oblate spheroidal particles comprising an active agent, such as a therapeutic or imaging agent, and a method for treating or monitoring a physiological condition, such as a disease, by administering the composition to a subject in need thereof. Also provided are methods for making particles that have a volume that can enhance the particles' adhesion to a target site in a subject's body for a pre-selected shape of the particles and methods for making particles that have a shape that can enhance particles' adhesion to a target site in a subject's body for a pre-selected volume of the particles.

Abstract: A method for releasing an aortic prosthesis includes positioning an introducer in femoral arteries of a patient. Guiding balloon catheters are positioned through the introducers to locate balloons thereof in terminal parts of common iliac arteries. The proximal aorta is clamped, balloons of the guiding catheters are inflated, and the aorta is opened for outside access. Distal ends of releasing balloon catheters are threaded through the guiding catheters and are recovered outside the patient through the introducers. Distal ends of the releasing catheters are connected to distal portions of the prosthesis, which is moved by the catheters until distal portions thereof contact the guiding catheters. The proximal part of the prosthesis is sutured to the aorta. The balloons of the releasing catheters are inflated to fix the distal portions of the prosthesis. Balloons are deflated, catheters are removed, the aorta is sutured, and the introducers are removed.

Abstract: A system and method for screening tissue is provided. The system provides a computer-based system for distinguishing between normal and potentially abnormal tissue. The system includes computer components for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves, for storing a tissue model, and for analyzing received ultrasonic waves in the context of the tissue model.

Abstract: A bifurcated vascular prosthesis implanted using a combined laparoscopic/open and endovascular technique for curing aneurysms of the abdominal aorta includes two stents on distal arms of the prosthesis. A delivery system and surgical kit for the release of the vascular prosthesis includes a pair of balloon release catheters, to be inserted within each corresponding stent and to remain adhering thereto throughout the time prior to release until reinflated with an inflating syringe, and a pair of balloon guide catheters, each including a dilator and a sheath. A method for implanting the prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to diffusion delivery systems and more particularly to high precision nanoengineered devices for therapeutic applications. The device contains diffusion areas that may be fabricated between bonded substrates, and the device can possess high mechanical strength. The invention further relates to capsules containing a diffusion delivery system. The present invention also relates to methods of fabricating the diffusion delivery systems.

Abstract: A clip for closing blood vessels which branch off from a main blood vessel during an intervention of the main blood vessel has a base body via which the clip can be placed on an inside face of the opened main blood vessel. At least three limbs protrude from the base body and are able to be bent in the direction towards the base body in order to clamp tissue in the area of the branch between the base body and the bent-back limbs thereby closing said branch.

Abstract: A bifurcated vascular prosthesis implanted using a combined laparoscopic/open and endovascular technique for curing aneurysms of the abdominal aorta includes two stents on distal arms of the prosthesis. A delivery system and surgical kit for the release of the vascular prosthesis includes a pair of balloon release catheters, to be inserted within each corresponding stent and to remain adhering thereto throughout the time prior to release until reinflated with an inflating syringe, and a pair of balloon guide catheters, each including a dilator and a sheath. A method for implanting the prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for screening tissue is provided. The system provides a computer-based system for distinguishing between normal and potentially abnormal tissue. The system includes computer components for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves, for storing a tissue model, and for analyzing received ultrasonic waves in the context of the tissue model.

Abstract: A method of forming a membrane having nanometer scale pores includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate and forming a base layer on the etch stop layer. Advantageously, a silicon nitride etch stop layer is formed on a silicon substrate and the base layer is a thermally grown oxide layer. Micron scale holes are etched through the base layer and, advantageously, partially through the underlying etch stop layer. A sacrificial base layer of controlled thickness is formed on the base layer and lining the holes. A thermally grown oxide is advantageously used as the sacrificial base layer. A plug layer is then formed on the base layer, on the sacrificial base layer and filling the holes. Polysilicon is advantageously used as the plug layer. The plug layer is planarized followed by the creation of an aperture in the backside of the wafer.

Abstract: Microfabricated, asymmetrical, reservoir-containing particles for use in the intravenous delivery of cytotoxic agents such as melittin to tumors is disclosed. The particles have a selected shape and uniform dimensions preferably in the 1 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m range. The reservoirs open to the face of the particle and are filled with a solution or suspension of the therapeutic agent and selected excipients. The drug/excipient solution may be dried by standard techniques. The excipients are selected to delay the dissolution/release of the agent from the particle reservoirs for 1-48 hours after the particle suspension is rehydrated and injected. Alternatively, the pore is plugged with an erodable material or covered with a semipermeable membrane. The face of the particle is grafted with a layer of specific ligands designed to quickly bind the particle to the surface of either tumor cells or the vascular endothelial cells, which form tumor capillaries.

Abstract: An implantable analyte sensor includes a substrate, electrodes on the substrate, and a membrane on the electrodes. The membrane can comprise elemental silicon and has a glucose diffusion test result of at least 1 mg/dl in 330 min., and an albumin diffusion test result of at most 0.1 g/dl in 420 min.