Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as fluoride or fluorescein, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a fluoride salt can also be used, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing fluoride in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and fluoride in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium and/or fluoride. The nanoparticles may be useful for tooth remineralization, the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, to treat caries, or as a diagnostic agent to locate carious lesions.

Abstract: A binder has at least one isocyanate and at least one biopolymer mixed with water. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The biopolymer and water are mixed, and the isocyanate is added to the mixture. The binder may have a viscosity that is suitable for being sprayed on a substrate to make a composite material, for example a viscosity of 700 cP or less or 500 cP or less at 40° C. The substrate may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and fiberboard. Alternatively, the binder may have a higher viscosity and be used to make plywood.

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle with a bisphosphonate drug in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is optionally reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as a bisphosphonate, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a bisphosphonate salt can be added, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing bisphosphonate in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and bisphosphonate in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium. The nanoparticles may be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis or other skeletal disorders or cancer.

Abstract: This patent describes formaldehyde free or formaldehyde reduced binders useful, for example, in a fiber based composite material such as glass or other mineral fiber insulation, non-woven fabric or wood-based board. In one example, melamine is used as an acidic solution or a salt. The salt or solution is used to create an aqueous binder with other components such as a polyol and a crosslinker. A preferred polyol is a nanoparticle comprising high molecular weight starch. In other examples, binders include mixtures of a polyol with urea and a crosslinker. In other examples, a multi-component nanoparticle is made by reacting a polyol such as starch in an extruder with an insolubilizer such as melamine or urea. The resulting particles are mixed with water, optionally with other components such as an additional crosslinker, to create an aqueous binder.

Abstract: A composition is made with starch and glycerol and/or erythritol and/or a phosphate. The starch may be in the form of particles. Adding a combination of glycerol and erythritol increases the ability of the starch particles to be loaded with water. Optionally, starch particles are made with a phosphate crosslinker. The composition may be used as an oral care agent, for example for the treatment of xerostomia, caries or plaque.

Abstract: A delivery device for a active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders, such as cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for transport and uptake of the delivery device into targeted cells. The degree of crosslinking can provide a desired release profile of the active agent at, near or inside the target cells. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a cross linker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: This specification describes a dental imaging and/or curing system and methods of using it, optionally in combination with a fluorescent imaging aid applied to a tooth. In some examples, a system or kit described in this specification combines a fluorescent compound with an intra-oral device. The intra-oral device includes a light source to excite the fluorescent compound. The intra-oral device further includes a sensor to produce an image of fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent compound. Optionally, the fluorescent compound can include positively charged nanoparticles including a fluorophore, for example fluorescein. Optionally, the intra-oral device can include a blue LED, a bandpass emission filter and a digital camera sensor.

Abstract: Cracks in teeth can be detected and/or diagnosed by applying cationic fluorescent nanoparticles to the teeth. Optionally, the teeth are first cleaned to remove substances such as plaque. The nanoparticles can then be applied, for example by dispersing them in a mouthwash or gel that is applied to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed, for example with water, to remove nanoparticles that are not adhered to the teeth. The teeth are then exposed to light in the excitation range of the nanoparticles. The teeth are then observed, either by eye or with a sensor or imaging device, to determine the presence of fluorescent light in the shape of a crack, which may be for example a line.

Abstract: A binder comprising isocyanate droplets in water, wherein the isocyanate droplets have an average droplet size of 500 microns or less, and the isocyanate droplets have shells comprising a biopolymer or a reaction product of a biopolymer and isocyanate. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The substrate for the binder may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and MDF.

Abstract: A binder has at least one isocyanate and at least one biopolymer mixed with water. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The biopolymer and water are mixed, and the isocyanate is added to the mixture. The binder may have a viscosity that is suitable for being sprayed on a substrate to make a composite material, for example a viscosity of 700 cP or less or 500 cP or less at 40° C. The substrate may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and fiberboard. Alternatively, the binder may have a higher viscosity and be used to make plywood.

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as fluoride or fluorescein, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a fluoride salt can also be used, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing fluoride in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and fluoride in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium and/or fluoride. The nanoparticles may be useful for tooth remineralization, the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, to treat caries, or as a diagnostic agent to locate carious lesions.

Abstract: A binder has at least one isocyanate and at least one biopolymer mixed with water. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The biopolymer and water are mixed, and the isocyanate is added to the mixture. The binder may have a viscosity that is suitable for being sprayed on a substrate to make a composite material, for example a viscosity of 700 cP or less or 500 cP or less at 40° C. The substrate may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and fiberboard. Alternatively, the binder may have a higher viscosity and be used to make plywood.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: This specification describes a nanoparticle delivery agent for drugs such as chemotherapy drugs. Starch nanoparticles are internally crosslinked by a phosphate crosslinker such as sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) using a phase inversion emulsion process. The particle size may be in the range of 80-500 nm. A wide variety of organic phosphates are present apart from the phosphodiester crosslinking. These included triphosphates, monophosphates and diphosphates. The nanoparticles are hydrogels and retain significant amounts of water when dispersed in solution possibly due to the electrostatic repulsion between the chains within the nanoparticle. The nanoparticles are, in general, non-toxic, for example to HeLa cancer cells. The nanoparticles display a high drug loading, with a maximum seen with about 20-40 mol % STMP. Drug release occurs more readily at lower pH. Exposure to typical cell culture environments induces significant release of drug compared to simple buffer environments.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A binder comprising isocyanate droplets in water, wherein the isocyanate droplets have an average droplet size of 500 microns or less, and the isocyanate droplets have shells comprising a biopolymer or a reaction product of a biopolymer and isocyanate. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The substrate for the binder may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and MDF.

Abstract: A binder has at least one isocyanate and at least one biopolymer mixed with water. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The biopolymer and water are mixed, and the isocyanate is added to the mixture. The binder may have a viscosity that is suitable for being sprayed on a substrate to make a composite material, for example a viscosity of 700 cP or less or 500 cP or less at 40° C. The substrate may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and fiberboard. Alternatively, the binder may have a higher viscosity and be used to make plywood.

Abstract: A process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles product is disclosed. In this process, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder having a screw configuration in which the feedstock is process using shear forces in the extruder, and a crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The biopolymer feedstock and plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent second section of the extruder downstream of the first section. In a post reaction section located after a point in which the crosslinking reaction has been completed, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: A curable aqueous binder composition comprising sheared or extruded cross linked starch particles and a crosslinking agent for use in the formation of composite materials such as mineral, natural organic or synthetic fiber products including mineral fiber insulation, non-woven mats, fiberglass insulation and related glass fiber products as well as wood based products and construction materials. In one application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be blended with a second non-formaldehyde resin to make fiberglass insulation. In another application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be mixed into a formaldehyde based resin to make fiberglass roof shingles.