Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and to a method of delivering a drug to a preselected target body site of a patient, comprising the steps of encapsulating the chemical agent within liposomes, essentially temperature insensitive, i.e. not having a specific predetermined phase transition temperature within the specific temperature range of drug administration; administering the liposomes to the target body site; and subjecting the target body site to nonionizing electromagnetic fields in an area of the preselected target body in order to release said chemical agent from the liposomes at a temperature of between about +10 and 65.degree. C. The invention further relates to the use of said liposomes to bind to the surface of or to enter target tissue or an organ in a living system, and, when subjected to a nonionizing field, to release a drug from the liposomes into the target site.

Abstract: A technique for rapidly delivering drugs and/or chemicals to a specific area of the body by subjecting a liposome encapsulated drug and/or chemical to nonionizing electromagnetic fields. By subjecting the liposome to such fields in the range of 26-2,450 MHz drug/chemical release occurs in a rapid fashion and at temperatures that the liposomes are normally not leaky. This is a non-thermal effect of the field on the liposome that is not related to heating. Consequently, localized release of drug/chemicals can be effected without subjecting the diseased tissue to adverse heating. In addition, drug/chemical release due to electromagnetic-field treatment of liposomes is enhanced by serum and/or oxygen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which enables cell membrane dielectric breakdown to be determined. This determination is essential for the rapid inexpensive, reliable, in vitro quantification of lymphocyte tumor-cell cytotoxicity, lymphocyte membrane fluidity and the analysis of abnormal or tumor cells. The apparatus incorporates therein a cell dispenser used in conjunction with a DC electric field exposure tube. Electronic circuitry and its associated components process, acquire and store cell voltage signals as the cells are drawn through the electric field exposure tube. The procedure involves quantifying the breakdown voltage required to electrically collapse the cell membrane. The electrical collapse is termed a dielectric breakdown and is characterized by a reversible drop in the cell's resistivity.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance chromatography system that enables the separation of charge carrying molecules to effectively take place. An oscillating magnetic field is generated in free space and applied in one of numerable orientations with the field lines parallel to the longitudinal axis of a chromatography column containing the gel media of a liquid gel chromatography apparatus. Molecules within the gel media which posses either a net positive or negative charge experience an "induced" flow due to eddy currents produced in the chromatography column. These "induced" flow events alter the motion of the charged molecules and therefore effect molecule separation.

Abstract: An apparatus which enables cell membrane dielectric breakdown to be determined. This determination is essential for the rapid inexpensive, reliable, in vitro quantification of lymphocyte tumor-cell cytotoxicity, lymphocyte membrane fluidity and the analysis of abnormal or tumor cells. The apparatus incorporates therein a cell dispenser used in conjunction with a DC electric field exposure tube. Electronic circuitry and its associated components process, acquire and store cell voltage signals as the cells are drawn through the electric field exposure tube. The procedure utilized with the apparatus of this invention involves quantifying the breakdown voltage required to electrically collapse the cell membrane. The electrical collapse is termed a dielectric breakdown and is characterized by a reversible drop in the cell's resistivity.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhancing the separation of molecules, such as cells or proteins, into distinct propulations based on their interactions with an externally imposed varying electric field during liquid gel chromatography (LGC). An electric field, at radio frequency (RF), is created between two plates of a capacitor structure and impressed through the gel media column situated between the plates. The varying field interacts with the molecules through polarization events that alter the molecular vibration and rotation motions. The induced changes cause the molecules to exhibit elution characteristics distinct from those normally obtained during LGC. Thereby, molecules can be further and more selectively partitioned according to their distinct polarization properties.

Abstract: A fluorometric technique which uses a detecting fluorophore for determining the quantitative levels of human immunoglobulin. The detecting fluorophore is an N-(3-pyrene)-maleimide conjugated immunoglobulin which shows enhanced quantum yield in the presence of human immunoglobulin molecules. Measuring the resulting changes in fluorescent emission determines the concentration level of the human immunoglobulin present in a test sample since the induced changes in fluorescence are directly proportional to the protein concentration.