Abstract: Disclosed are lipid vesicles containing a blend of amphiphiles, including propylene glycol stearate, in the lipid bilayers. The vesicles may have either an aqueous or oil-filled central cavity and are particularly useful for delivering dermatological, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. A method of manufacture for these vesicles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are lipid vesicles containing a blend of amphiphiles, including sucrose distearate, in the lipid bilayers. The vesicles may have either an aqueous or oil-filled central cavity and are particularly useful for delivering dermatological, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. A method of manufacture for these vesicles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new class of lipid vesicles having a blend of two lipids, a primary lipid and a secondary lipid, has been developed. The primary lipid, which forms the greatest proportion of lipid by weight, will not form vesicles nor preferably, even a lamellar phase, without addition of the secondary lipid. Preferably primary lipids are C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 fatty alcohols, C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 glycol monoesters, and C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 glyceryl mono- and diesters.

Abstract: The present invention features water-in-oil emulsions having intact lipid vesicles dispersed in the water or aqueous phase. Methods of making the emulsions are also disclosed. The preferred vesicles for use in the emulsions are paucilamellar lipid vesicles, most preferably those having nonionic amphiphiles as their major structural component. The water-in-oil emulsions are useful in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods such as margarine.

Abstract: A new gel-like composition of matter containing a complex carbohydrate with a high degree of carboxyl substitution cross-linked by an organic cross-linker has been developed. The cross-linkers have complex ring structures, e.g., polynuclear or heterocyclic compounds, which permit development of two distinct partial positive charges under conditions where a carbohydrate is negatively charged. Antibiotics are the preferred cross-linking agents and a method of sustained release of the antibodies is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of lipid vesicles having a moderately volatile material such as a perfluorocarbon or a silicone oil encapsulated therein. In another aspect, lipid vesicles having a gas-filled center or core are made. The lipid vesicles having gas-filled central core are made by dehydrating vesicles having the moderately volatile liquid encapsulated in the central core. This drives off the water first, allowing the moderately volatile liquid to stabilize the vesicle structure as it dries, finally forming a central void which can refract light. The preferred vesicles of the invention are paucilamellar vesicles.

Abstract: The present invention concerns lipid vesicles having dimethylamides as their primary structural lipid. Preferred dimethylamides useful in the invention are DMATO and DMASO oils. These vesicles are useful as carriers of water immiscible oily material such as fungicides. In a most preferred aspect, the invention has DMATO vesicles with TCMTB as a fungicide in trapped therein. The vesicles can be made rapidly and provide aqueous dispersion of these materials without the need for additional organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of making lipid vesicles and the lipid vesicles themselves made from monomeric and dimeric alkyds. These alkyds are esters made as a condensation product of a first reactant having at least one free hydroxyl group and a C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty acids chain and a second reactant which is an aromatic acid chloride or anhydride. Preferred first reactants are esters of polyols and C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty acids, ethers of polyols and C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty acids, and C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty alcohols.

Abstract: A new "cold-loading" technique for filling the amorphous central cavity of paucilamellar lipid vesicles with a water immiscible material has been developed. Preformed, substantially aqueous filled paucilamellar lipid vesicles are mixed with the water immiscible material to be encapsulated under intermediate mixing conditions, thereby replacing the aqueous solution with the water-immiscible solution. The "cold-loading" technique is particularly useful for encapsulation of volatiles and heat labile materials.