Abstract: Disclosed are uniformly sized domains of liquid crystals, a method for forming the domains, and their performance in polymer dispersed liquid crystal displays. The method provides the ability to form discrete domains of liquid crystal surrounded by a polymer shell, also known as polymer encased liquid crystals, or PELCs. Further, the method provides for the ability to make PELCs that have uniformly sized particles. Displays made comprising uniformly sized PELCs demonstrate markedly improved electro-optical performance over displays made by conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal processes.

Abstract: A method for laminating a porous sheet 1 and a coarse mesh reinforcing material 2 which includes an adhesive layer and is reinforced by drawing, by heat pressing with that adhesive layer in between, in which, (1) the heating temperature during heat pressing is equal to or above the melting point of the adhesive layer and equal to or below the melting point of the porous sheet, (2) a specific relationship is maintained among the difference between the heating temperature and the melting point of the adhesive layer, the difference between the heating temperature and the softening point of the porous sheet, and the heating time, and (3) the unrolling tension of the porous sheet is maintained at 200 to 550 g/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method of producing noggregating, filterable dispersion of liposome encapsulated agent or therapeutic of interest, specifically hemoglobin. A key step in the method of the present invention is the addition of a passivating protein prior to hydration of the liposomes with the agent of interest. The resulting dispersion is composed of unilamellar vesicles having a diameter of less than or equal to 0.2 microns.

Abstract: A multi layer film having enhanced barrier properties with respect to oxygen and water vapor transmission is provided. The multi layer film includes a polyolefin core layer, a copolymer or terpolymer intermediate layer on at least one surface of the polyolefin core layer, with the intermediate layer having voids therein and including a wax trapped within the voids, and a surface layer on the intermediate layer. Multi layer films according to the present invention are particularly useful as packaging films for food products, and are successful in laminating, printing or coating operations.

Abstract: Lyophilized lipid compositions, as well as methods for their preparation, are embodied by the present invention. Gas-filled microspheres prepared using the lyophilized lipid composition are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Porous products of thermoplastic polymers and the like are formed by sintering pellets, especially micropellets and/or pellets made by rapid water quenched pelletizing of the polymers, such as by underwater pelletizing or water ring pelletizing. The pellets are of a uniform size and shape, each having approximately equal dimensions along three mutually perpendicular axes, thereby producing porous products having smooth surfaces, narrow pore size distributions, greater strength and other improved characteristics. The porous products include antiperspirant and deodorant applicator heads, wastewater treatment bubblers and selective filters.

Abstract: A water vapor permeable, waterproof polyether ester membrane contains 1 to 10% by weight of finely dispersed carbon particles, especially soot particles, having an average size of 5 to 40 nm.

Abstract: A process is described for the enzyme catalyzed synthesis of polymeric microspheres from monomers such as ethylphenol, naphthols and hydroxypyrenes in reverse micelles in the presence of a detergent. Polymeric microspheres synthesized are porous with nonuniform densities. Polymers prepared from naphthols and hydroxypyrenes are fluorescent with electroluminescent properties. A number of materials such as enzymes, drugs and inorganic materials such as iron oxide and cadmium sulfide are encapsulated in the hollow polymeric microspheres synthesized. These encapsulations are carried out during or after the syntheses of the polymeric microspheres. Functional properties of the encapsulated materials such as enzyme, magnetic and nonlinear optical properties are demonstrated in the polymeric composites.

Abstract: Novel microcapsules are characterized in that the walls thereof consist of reaction products of crosslinking agents with iminooxadiazinedione isocyanates or the walls thereof contain such reaction products. A process for the production of such microcapsules has also been found, as have carbonless copying papers containing such microcapsules.

Abstract: A method of controlling the particle size and particle size distribution of an aqueous emulsion having a non-aqueous disperse phase during the production thereof, in which the production of the emulsion is carried out in the presence of a dispersion of a templating agent, such as a polymer latex, and surfactantParticle size and particle size distribution of the dispersion is controlled by selecting the templating agent and surfactant such as to cause deposition of the disperse phase on particles of the dispersed templating agent, such that the particle size distribution of the templating agent provides a template for the particle size distribution of the final emulsion.

Abstract: Formulation polymer dopes and development of processes for preparing asymmetric polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes for gas separation are provided. Polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes which exhibit improved gas permeability and selectivity have been produced from a formulated polymer dope containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and suitable nonsolvent-additives (NSA). The nonsolvent-additives are water and the mixture of ethanol and water. The dopes were tailored to be close to the point of phase separation, and have moderate polymer concentration with moderate viscosity. The hollow fibers were spun by the dry-wet phase inversion processes using water as both the internal and external coagulant. The dried hollow fibers are then coated with silicone rubber, a highly permeable material and the coated hollow fiber membranes exhibit excellent permeability and selectivity compared to those of the state-of-the-art polyethersulfone membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: A composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane and method of producing same. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is made by coating a porous polysulfone support for about 1 minute with an aqueous solution containing 2 wt % m-phenylenediamine (MPD), 2 wt % 2-butoxyethanol and 2 wt % propylene glycol. Next, the excess MPD solution is removed, and the coated support is dipped for about 1 minute in 0.1 wt % organic solvent solution of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) in a mixture of alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms. After draining the TMC solution off, the resulting composite membrane is air dried at room temperature to 40.degree. C. for about 1 minute and then rinsed in a basic aqueous solution at 40-60.degree. C. for 1 to 30 minutes. The resultant membrane exhibits a flux of 27.5 gfd and a salt rejection of 98.2% when used at 225 psi for an aqueous solution containing 2000 ppm of NaCl.

Abstract: A process for forming ultrathin dense-layer asymmetric hollow fiber membranes with a dense layer of less than 500 .ANG. from a binary solution system comprising a polymer and a solvent. In this process, the spinning polymeric solution has a high viscosity and exhibits chain entanglement at the spinning temperature. The solubility parameter difference between the bore fluid and the spinning dope is less than 2.5 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.0.5 and the volume ratio of bore-fluid flow rate to the dope flow rate is between 0.45 to 0.75. The dope is wet-spun into hollow fibers using water as external coagulant. The ultrathin dense-layer asymmetric hollow fiber membranes are suitable for air and other gas separations.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcaspsules.Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin.The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.

Abstract: Microcapsules containing a suspension of a soild, biologically active compound in an organic, water-immiscible liquid and processes for their preparation.

Abstract: Lipid microtubules having a controlled bilayer structure and high aspect io are formed in a methanol/ethanol/water solvent system. The lipid microtubules may then be catalyzed (e.g., with a palladium/tin catalyst) in an acidified catalytic bath having no more than about 30 g of catalytic salts. These catalyzed microtubules are then metallized using a diluted plating bath with replenishment of the plating bath as needed to obtain the desired metallization thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a liposome preparation comprised of liposomes that contain an encapsulated material is disclosed. The process comprises (A) providing a plurality of portions of a lipid or liposome formulation; (B) hydrating each of the plurality of portions with a solution comprising a material to be encapsulated; and (C) combining each of the plurality of portions to form a single liposome preparation. The liposome preparations can be used for drug delivery or as vaccines.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing liposome-containing pharmaceutical compositions, the liposomes containing headgroup-derivatized lipids and etherlipids having the formula: ##STR1## Such compositions are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including various cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing microspheres, films and coatings from protein or modified protein in which the protein product is stabilized by carrying out the preparation in the presence of an aqueous solution of at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid. Preferred .alpha.-hydroxy acids are glycolic acid, lactic acid, .alpha.-hydroxybutyric acid or a mixture of two or more thereof. The microspheres, films and coatings so produced have improved stability in aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targeted polymerized liposomes for oral and/or mucosal delivery of vaccines, allergens and therapeutics. In particular, the present invention relates to polymerized liposomes which have been modified on their surface to contain a molecule or ligand which targets the polymerized liposome to a specific site or cell type in order to optimize the immune response to the encapsulated antigen or the efficacy of the encapsulated drug.

Abstract: X-ray contrast media encapsulated within 50 nm to 10 .mu.m microspheres were shown to be a superior contrast agent for CT imaging of liver tumors. Use of the encapsulated agent resulted in significant improvement in the liver to tumor contrast ratio in CT images over prior art contrast media. The encapsulated media contrast also resulted in sustained contrast enhancement 1 hr after administration, providing the opportunity to use a lesser x-ray exposure in a single scan to discriminate cancerous tissue from normal surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A process for producing a hollow fiber membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, and a dialyzer of hollow fiber membrane type is provided. The hollow fiber membrane is highly biocompatible, and the production process is quite simple and inexpensive. In the process of the invention, the hollow fiber membrane is produced in a system wherein a polymer-containing spinning solution is extruded from a tube-in-tube type orifice of a spinner in a coagulation solution to form the hollow fiber membrane. The polymer-containing spinning solution is extruded from the outer tube of the orifice to form a cylindrical filament having an inner bore and a core solution is ejected from the inner tube of the orifice into the inner bore of the filament for coagulation of the filament. The filament is directly extruded into the coagulation solution or extruded into air and then drawn to the coagulation solution.

Abstract: Liposomes suitable as ultrasound contrast agents which contain media of various types including gases, gaseous precursors activated by pH, temperature or pressure, as well as other solid or liquid contrast enhancing agents, are described. Methods of using the same as ultrasound contrast agents are also disclosed. The present invention also comprises novel methods for synthesizing liposomes having encapsulated therein gases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) membrane which may be used for ultrafiltration or microfiltration at high temperatures. In this process for manufacturing a non-sulfonated PEEK membrane which comprises dissolving PEEK in a solvent to obtain a membrane forming stock solution, forming the stock solution into a desired shape and bringing the formed stock solution in contact with a coagulating liquid capable of coagulating PEEK, the key features involve using concentrated sulfuric acid as the solvent, dissolving PEEK therein to prepare the stock solution and keeping the stock solution at 15 degrees C or lower until initiation of membrane formation.

Abstract: A new and novel solid, microencapsulated product comprising a microencapsulated material contained within a cast, water-soluble, film-forming polymer and the process for preparing such product is disclosed.

Abstract: A biphasic multilamellar lipid vesicle comprising a plurality of spaced apart lipid bilayers that include a liposome-forming component and optionally a biologically active agent entrapped within the lipid bilayers. The lipid vesicle also comprises peripheral aqueous solution compartments formed between the lipid bilayers and a central lipophilic core compartment substantially at the center of the multilamellar lipid vesicle.

Abstract: A composition for transdermal administration of an immunogen is described. The immunogen is entrapped in lipid vesicles having a oil-in-water emulsion in the central core compartment. The vesicles are administered transdermally to elicit an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are multivesicular liposomes (MVL's) containing biologically active substances, the multivesicular liposomes having defined size distribution, adjustable average size, adjustable internal chamber size and number, and a controlled and variable release rate of the biologically active substance. The process involves encapsulating at least one biologically active substance and optionally an osmotic spacer in a first aqueous component encapsulated within the liposomes. The rate of release of the active substance into the surrounding environment in which the liposomes are introduced can be decreased by increasing the osmolarity of the first aqueous component or increased by decreasing the osmolarity.

Abstract: A composition containing, in a suitable carrier, nanoparticles of one or more nonbiodegradable polymer(s) encapsulating an oily phase which contains at least one active oil and/or at least one carrier oil and/or at least one active ingredient in an active oil and/or a carrier oil. At least one active ingredient is chosen from those with prolonged cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical activity. The nanocapsules have a size of 100-1000 nm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microporous or macroporous affinity filtration membrane wherein the matrix is composed of chitosan or chitin and the pores are made by dissolution of porogen during the preparation of the membrane. The invention also relates to a method of preparation of the membrane comprising preparing an acidic chitosan solution containing porogen, shaping the suspension into a membrane, and dissolving the porogen by immersing the membrane in an alkaline solution. To prepare chitin membranes, the chitosan membranes are acetylated. The special feature of the membrane is that the pore size can be controlled by varying the size of the porogen. The membranes are suitable for affinity purification of macromolecules.

Abstract: A porous fluorocarbon membrane has a porous support completely impregnated with tetrafluoroethylene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer. There is a process for producing this membrane by impregnating a porous support with a copolymer solution in a readily-boiling solvent and a precipitating mixture of alcohol and water followed by curing for partial hardening of the solution and subsequent drying at elevated temperature. A cartridge filter includes protective and supporting cylindrical perforated hollow housings, containing a fluorocarbon membrane or two superimposed flourocarbon membranes. Membranes and a cartridge filter find extensive use in separation of gases and aggressive media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer-based sustained release device, and methods of forming and using the device for the sustained release of an active agent. The improved method of the invention for forming a polymer-bases sustained release device comprises forming a polymer/active agent solution by mixing a polymer, a continuous phase, and an active agent. The continuous phase can comprise one or more polymer solvents, a polymer solvent/polymer non-solvent mixture, or a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent mixture. When the continuous phase comprises a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent, the active agent can also be present as a microparticulate rather than in solution. The continuous phase is then removed from the polymer/active agent solution, thereby forming a solid polymer/active agent matrix.

Abstract: An imaging agent for ultrasound to be administered into a vein is provided. More specifically, an imaging agent for ultrasound containing microbubbles, which has a long-life and is stable within a human body even after is has passed through a lung, and a method for producing the same, are provided.A method for producing an imaging agent for ultrasound comprises a mixing step wherein a mixture of water, Sodium Stearate, Saponin and CaCl.sub.2 and gas are mixed by a homogenizer for forming bubbles, and a separation step wherein bubbles having a desired size are separated according to their buoyancy after the mixing step. The mixing step further includes two stages, i.e., a low speed mixing stage and a high speed mixing stage. In the low speed mixing stage, a shaft of the homogenizer is immersed into a solution containing a preset amount of Sodium Stearate, Saponin, and CaCl.sub.2, which is mixed at a low rotation speed for a given period of time and is then left for a given period.

Abstract: In a method of producing hollow fiber membranes, wherein a molten polymer charged with a gas under pressure is provided in an extrusion apparatus, the polymer melt including the gas under pressure is extruded from the extrusion apparatus through a hollow fiber-forming extrusion nozzle with a predetermined pressure drop which provides for a concurrent expansion of the gas contained in the polymer melt thereby forming a porous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-based hollow fiber membrane having a ratio between the size of particles of 90% rejection and that of particles of 10% rejection of not more than 5, thus proving to have a sharp fractionating property, is produced by a process which comprises, on producing a polyvinyl alcohol-based hollow fiber membrane by dry-jet wet spinning or wet spinning, using a spinneret having heat insulating structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for delivering a bioactive compound to the site where it will exhibit its biological affect and controlling the delivery of the bioactive compound through the physical-chemical properties of a particle containing the bioactive compound. The method is particularly useful for delivering agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds.

Abstract: A liposome composition for treating a bacterial infection is described. The composition includes liposomes having a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains and an entrapped drug-conjugate composed of ciprofloxacin conjugated to an amino acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous film of polypropylene comprises subjecting (1) an air-impermeable biaxially stretched film of polypropylene resin comprised predominantly of polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 40% or (2) an air-impermeable inflation film of polypropylene resin comprised predominantly of polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 46.5%, in the substantial absence of a plasticizer or a solvent, to a thermal treatment in the presence of a first liquid substantially incapable of dissolving the film while fixing the film in two orthogonal directions for making the film porous.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a single phase hyudrophobic preparation comprising a hydrophilic species in a hydrophobic solvent wherein a compound which is:(a) a low molecular weight compound having at least some degree of polarity; and/or(b) a lipid-soluble organic acid; and/or(c) an amphiphile; and(d) glycerol or other polyhydric alcohols;is added during the process to aid solubilisation.

Abstract: Microstructures formed from fluorinated amphiphiles and mixed fluorinated and non-fluorinated amphiphiles and having the geometry of tubules, helixes and fibers and methods for preparing them. Tubular forms are capable of encapsulating or incorporating bioactive agents or other useful substances for controlled release in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides amphipathic lipid compounds comprising a hydrophilic, catonic, pH-sensitive moiety, the positive charge of which moiety increases as pH decreases over the pH range of 8.0 to 4.5. Vesicular delivery systems comprising such amphipathic compounds and the use of those systems for delivering biologically active substances to cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making insoluble gas-filled, pressure-resistant microspheres containing a liquid or solid hydrophobic barrier within the microsphere shell, and products of this process. This barrier serves to decrease the rate of gas exchange between the microsphere and the aqueous environment surrounding the microsphere and thus enhances resistance to pressure due to gas exchange.

Abstract: Tangential flow filtration is used in the size separation of particles, such as liposomes and lipid particles. These particles may be passed through a tangential flow filtration device of any pore size desired. Tangential flow filter systems of various pore sizes may be used sequentially to obtain particles such as lipid particles or liposomes having a defined size range.

Abstract: A liposome composition containing an entrapped cisplatin compound is described. The liposomes have a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains on inner and outer surfaces and an entrapped cisplatin compound. The compound is entrapped with substantially greater retention in the liposomes, when compared to liposomes lacking the polymer coating. A method of preparing the composition is also described.

Abstract: A porous film is here disclosed which is obtainable by stretching a film in at least uniaxial direction, said film being formed from a resin composition containing 25 to 70 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin and 75 to 30 parts by weight of an inorganic filler; said resin composition further containing 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of dehydrated castor oil (a) and 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of hardened castor oil (b) based on the total 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin and the inorganic filler; and the amount of the component (a) being 20 to 95% by weight based on the total amount of the components (a) and (b). In this porous film, softness and feeling like cloth, moisture vapor transmission, uniformity of the film thickness and the like are equal to their conventional levels. Furthermore, the adhesive strength of a securing tape does not deteriorate because the third components (a) and (b) do not float on the surface of the porous film.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the delivery of an effective amount of a bioactive peptide or peptide analog over a period of 1 to 12 months. This process includes the steps of grinding a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid having a ratio of glycolide to lactide units of from about 0 to 5:1 to a particle size of between about 50 and 150 .mu.m; sterilizing the ground copolymer with a dose of between about 1 and 2.5 Mrads of ionizing .gamma.-radiation; wetting the ground and sterilized copolymer with a sterile aqueous slurry of a bioactive peptide or peptide analog; aseptically blending the copolymer and the slurry to obtain a homogeneous mixture of the copolymer and between about 10 and 50% of the bioactive peptide or peptide analog; drying the mixture at reduced pressure and at temperature not exceeding 25.degree. C.; aseptically extruding the dried mixture at a temperature between about 70 and 110.degree. C.

Abstract: Microporous ultrafiltration membranes containing polymeric material having oxyalkylene tentacles dangling from a carbon backbone can be improved for separation of micromaterials such as salts, unicellular pathogens and the like by separating said tentacles further part on the carbon backbone.