Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controlling drug release in cross-linked poly(valerolactone) based matrices. In one aspect, the compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof include a poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol (PEG) copolymer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of allylvalerolactone residues within the copolymer are crosslinked with a crosslinker. In some embodiments, the compound has a polydispersity index of less than or equal to 1.5. In one aspect, a method is described herein, comprising: (a) polymerizing valerolactone residues, allylvalerolactone, and polyethylene glycol residues in the presence of a non-metal catalyst via a ring opening polymerization to produce a poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol copolymer; (b) crosslinking the poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol copolymer with a crosslinker; and (c) loading a drug into the crosslinked copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.

Abstract: An analyte-sensitive substance is provided that has an optical property related to the concentration of an analyte. The analyte-sensitive substance includes an ionophore or other substance configured to provide a local pH, within the analyte-sensitive substance, that is related to the concentration of the analyte proximate the analyte-sensitive substance. The analyte-sensitive substance further includes a pH-sensitive fluorophore that increases or decreases its intrinsic fluorescence intensity with the local pH across a specified range of pH values. The analyte-sensitive substance further includes a pH-sensitive quencher configured to increase the slope of the change of fluorescence intensity of the pH-sensitive fluorophore across the specified range of pH values. The analyte-sensitive substance may further include an ionic additive configured to adjust the local pH such that the specified range of pH values corresponds to a range of analyte concentration values of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to compounds comprising allyl lactide residues. One aspect described herein relates generally to a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising allyl lactide residues and lactide residues, wherein the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is substantially free of valerolactone residues. Another aspect relates to a method of incorporating a drug into a compound, comprising: (i) providing a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising allyl lactide residues and lactide residues, wherein the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is substantially free of valerolactone residues; (ii) incubating the compound and a drug in the presence of a solvent for an incubation period to form a drug-loaded compound; and (iii) separating the drug-loaded compound from the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controlling drug release in cross-linked poly(valerolactone) based matrices. In one aspect, the compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof include a poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol (PEG) copolymer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of allylvalerolactone residues within the copolymer are crosslinked with a crosslinker. In some embodiments, the compound has a polydispersity index of less than or equal to 1.5. In one aspect, a method is described herein, comprising: (a) polymerizing valerolactone residues, allylvalerolactone, and polyethylene glycol residues in the presence of a non-metal catalyst via a ring opening polymerization to produce a poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol copolymer; (b) crosslinking the poly(valerolactone)-co-poly(allylvalerolactone)-co-polyethylene glycol copolymer with a crosslinker; and (c) loading a drug into the crosslinked copolymer.

Abstract: An analyte-sensitive substance is provided that has an optical property related to the concentration of an analyte. The analyte-sensitive substance includes an ionophore or other substance configured to provide a local pH, within the analyte-sensitive substance, that is related to the concentration of the analyte proximate the analyte-sensitive substance. The analyte-sensitive substance further includes a pH-sensitive fluorophore that increases or decreases its intrinsic fluorescence intensity with the local pH across a specified range of pH values. The analyte-sensitive substance further includes a pH-sensitive quencher configured to increase the slope of the change of fluorescence intensity of the pH-sensitive fluorophore across the specified range of pH values. The analyte-sensitive substance may further include an ionic additive configured to adjust the local pH such that the specified range of pH values corresponds to a range of analyte concentration values of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.

Abstract: A system is provided which includes the composite nanoparticles configured to bind with a target analyte, the composite nanoparticles including a polymer matrix; nanoparticles at least one type; reporter labels at least one type; and targeting entities at least one type, wherein the nanoparticles at least one type, the reporter labels at least one type and the targeting entities at least one type are encapsulated in the polymer matrix; a body-mountable device mounted on an external surface of a living body and configured to detect a target analyte binding response signal transmitted through the external surface, wherein the target analyte binding response signal is related to binding of the composite nanoparticles with one or more target analytes; and a processor configured to non-invasively detect the one or more target analytes based on the target analyte response signal. Composite nanoparticles and methods for use and for making are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.