Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating hypoglycemia in a patient in need thereof has a microgel that includes crosslinked polymers containing glucose-responsive moieties; and blood glucose-raising therapeutic agent loaded on or within the microgel. The microgel further includes any one or a combination of a stabilizing component and a loading-assisting component for the blood glucose- raising therapeutic agent. The polymers containing the glucose-responsive moieties form secondary crosslinks in response to low glucose level, thereby causing shrinking of the microgel and rapid release of the blood glucose-raising therapeutic agent. The composition can be used to prepare a composite microneedle patch for preventing or treating hypoglycemia, where the composition is embedded or integrated within an array of the microneedles of the microneedle patch device.

Abstract: Synthesis and characterization of starch based pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery are described. Polymethacrylic acid grafted starch (PMAA-g-St) nanoparticles with various molar ratio of starch to MAA were synthesized by a new one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. NMR data showed that polysorbate 80 was polymerized into the graft polymer. Nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and porous surface morphology and exhibited pH-dependent swelling in physiological pH range. The particle size and magnitude of volume phase transition were dependent on PMAA content and formulation parameters such as surfactant levels, cross-linker amount, and total monomer concentration. The results showed that the new pH-responsive nanoparticles possessed useful properties for controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable device comprising a biocompatible and biodegradable matrix impregnated with a bioactive complex suitable for selectively targeting the lymphatic system, wherein the bioactive complex comprises one or more particle forming materials and one or more bioactive agents. The invention is further directed to methods of using and the process of preparing, the implantable device.

Abstract: Synthesis and characterization of starch based pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery are described. Polymethacrylic acid grafted starch (PMAA-g-St) nanoparticles with various molar ratio of starch to MAA were synthesized by a new one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. NMR data showed that polysorbate 80 was polymerized into the graft polymer. Nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and porous surface morphology and exhibited pH-dependent swelling in physiological pH range. The particle size and magnitude of volume phase transition were dependent on PMAA content and formulation parameters such as surfactant levels, cross-linker amount, and total monomer concentration. The results showed that the new pH-responsive nanoparticles possessed useful properties for controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: Synthesis and characterization of starch based pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery are described. Polymethacrylic acid grafted starch (PMAA-g-St) nanoparticles with various molar ratio of starch to MAA were synthesized by a new one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. NMR data showed that polysorbate 80 was polymerized into the graft polymer. Nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and porous surface morphology and exhibited pH-dependent swelling in physiological pH range. The particle size and magnitude of volume phase transition were dependent on PMAA content and formulation parameters such as surfactant levels, cross-linker amount, and total monomer concentration. The results showed that the new pH-responsive nanoparticles possessed useful properties for controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: A polymeric composite coating includes a drug release retardant polymer matrix, and pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore former. The pH-responsive pore formers function to modulate the permeability of the coating in response to pH changes which can compensate any changes in drug solubility with negligible leaching of the pore formers. The pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore formers may also function as alcohol-resistant component to the overall composite coating to resist increased solubility and permeability in presence of alcohol at 40% ethanol concentration in aqueous media. In one embodiment, the drug release retardant polymer is made of cellulose derivatives.

Abstract: A biocompatible insulin delivery device is provided comprising an insulin reservoir sealed with a glucose-responsive plug or membrane. The plug functions to release insulin from the reservoir in response to a hyperglycemic glucose concentration and to prevent insulin release from the reservoir in response to hypoglycemic glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the plug is made of a biocompatible polymeric matrix comprising an inorganic component, a stimulus-responsive component and a catalytic component.

Abstract: Synthesis and characterization of starch based pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery are described. Polymethacrylic acid grafted starch (PMAA-g-St) nanoparticles with various molar ratio of starch to MAA were synthesized by a new one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. NMR data showed that polysorbate 80 was polymerized into the graft polymer. Nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and porous surface morphology and exhibited pH-dependent swelling in physiological pH range. The particle size and magnitude of volume phase transition were dependent on PMAA content and formulation parameters such as surfactant levels, cross-linker amount, and total monomer concentration. The results showed that the new pH-responsive nanoparticles possessed useful properties for controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: A biocompatible insulin delivery device is provided comprising an insulin reservoir sealed with a glucose-responsive plug or membrane. The plug functions to release insulin from the reservoir in response to a hyperglycemic glucose concentration and to prevent insulin release from the reservoir in response to hypoglycemic glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the plug is made of a biocompatible polymeric matrix comprising an inorganic component, a stimulus-responsive component and a catalytic component.

Abstract: A biocompatible insulin delivery device is provided comprising an insulin reservoir sealed with a glucose-responsive plug or membrane. The plug functions to release insulin from the reservoir in response to a hyperglycemic glucose concentration and to prevent insulin release from the reservoir in response to hypoglycemic glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the plug is made of a biocompatible polymeric matrix comprising an inorganic component, a stimulus-responsive component and a catalytic component.

Abstract: A biocompatible insulin delivery device is provided comprising an insulin reservoir sealed with a glucose-responsive plug or membrane. The plug functions to release insulin from the reservoir in response to a hyperglycemic glucose concentration and to prevent insulin release from the reservoir in response to hypoglycemic glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the plug is made of a biocompatible polymeric matrix comprising an inorganic component, a stimulus-responsive component and a catalytic component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable device comprising a biocompatible and biodegradable matrix impregnated with a bioactive complex suitable for selectively targeting the lymphatic system, wherein the bioactive complex comprises one or more particle forming materials and one or more bioactive agents. The invention is further directed to methods of using and the process of preparing, the implantable device.

Abstract: Described is a composite polymeric system to provide enhanced stimuli-responsiveness. The first aspect provides particles where the particles are made of stimuli-responsive polymer which responds to various stimuli such as temperature and pH change. Incorporated with this particle is a second polymer which in turn is relatively insensitive to stimuli. The invention can be potentially applied to other systems comprising a swellable hydrogel and a nonswellable hydrophobic polymer.

Abstract: Described is a composite polymeric system to provide enhanced stimuli-responsiveness. The first aspect provides particles where the particles are made of stimuli-responsive polymer which responds to various stimuli such as temperature and pH change. Incorporated with this particle is a second polymer which in turn is relatively insensitive to stimuli. The invention can be potentially applied to other systems comprising a swellable hydrogel and a nonswellable hydrophobic polymer.