Abstract: Multiple micro-encapsulations of a high concentration oleophilic substance using heat to set the primary particle renders the composition suitable for the production of free-flowing powders or beadlets. Microencapsulation involves forming an emulsion out of the oleophilic substance and a polymer, and then use heat setting and/or cross-linking the polymer encapsulates the oleophilic composition. This process is then repeated with a second polymer or third polymer, and with or without cross-linked via the same or different mechanism to further protect the oleophilic substance.

Abstract: Novel polymer-associated liposomes (PALs) containing a liposome, and a polymer having a plurality of acid moieties, like sulfonic acid moieties, carboxyl moieties, or phosphonic acid moieties, in a salt form are disclosed. Drug compositions containing a PAL and a drug are administered to individuals suffering from a disease, and the drug is released, in vivo, to treat the disease, and to reduce, eliminate, or reverse complications associated with the disease.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5 M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a filtration membrane for oleophilic organic liquids, which has reduced filtration resistance and increased filtration efficiency and of which the filtration capacity can be freely designed, to provide a method for producing the membrane, and to provide a method for filtering oleophilic organic liquids. The filtration membrane 3 is made of an oleophilic polymer material having a three-dimensional crosslink structure. The oleophilic polymer material is in a gel-like or dry glue-like condition. The inter-crosslink spaces 10 in the three-dimensional crosslink structure are filled with molecules 2 of an oleophilic organic liquid capable of passing through the spaces. Desirably, the inter-crosslink spaces in the three-dimensional crosslink structure are larger than the molecule of the oleophilic organic liquid but are not larger than 1000 nm in terms of their mean diameter. Also desirably, the oleophilic polymer material is supported by a support.

Abstract: A soft, breathable elastic laminate of an elastic film loaded with a filler having a particle size suitable for pore formation and stretched in at least two directions to form a plurality of micropores bonded to a nonwoven web. In accordance with one embodiment, the elastic film is water vapor impermeable prior to being stretched.

Abstract: Suspension polymers having high swellability have low contents of soluble fractions if aliphatic peroxy esters are used as polymerization initiators.

Abstract: A microporous membrane and method of manufacture is presented utilizing irradiation and thermal induction phase separation techniques. During manufacture, microsphereulites are created by irradiation of curable agents in a casted polyolefin film. The microsphereulites then serve as nucleating agents in a thermally-induced phase separation step, providing a microporous membrane with improved flow and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Microencapsulated compositions, useful, for example, as pesticidal formulations, were prepared a process in which the microcapsules containing the encapsulated material are formed in an interfacial polycondensation reaction carried out in the presence of one polyvinylalcohol, a different polyvinylalcohol is added, and the resulting mixture is spray dried.

Abstract: Water permeable reverse osmosis membranes are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups per reactant molecule, and an essentially monomeric amine-reactive polyfunctional aromatic or cycloaliphatic acyl halide having on the average at least about 2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule. The polymerization is optionally carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which increases the flux rate of the resulting membrane. Preferred polyamine compounds of the generic formula, which are novel per se, include 3,5-diaminobenzoyl piperazine, 4-aminobenzoyl piperazine, 3-aminobenzoyl piperazine, isophthaloyl piperazine, and terephthaloyl piperazine.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing a substrate surface supporting a continuous planar bilayer lipid membrane by covalently binding a plurality of micellar of vesicle liposomes, optionally comprising a membrane protein or other biologically active membrane-bound component, to a substrate surface supporting a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of essentially straight long chain molecules. In one embodiment, the micellar or vesicle liposomes covantly bind to hydrophilic spacer molecules attached to the functional groups of the self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: A moldable ceramic composition is made by forming the suspension of electrically charged ceramic particles and then coagulating.

Abstract: Membranes suitable for use in haemodialysis include a separating layer A with a cut-off between 500 and 5,000,000, a support layer B and a layer C which partly determines the hydraulic permeability. The cut-off and hydraulic permeability can be set independently of one another. The membranes are integral, multi-asymmetric, semi-permeable membranes made from .epsilon.-caprolactam-soluble polymers. The membranes may be in the form of flat, tubular or hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A thermo-responsive microcapsule containing a diazo compound or an electron donative dye precursor, wherein the capsule wall of the microcapsule is composed of at least one polymer obtained by polymerization of an isocyanate compound containing an adduct of (A) a compound having one active hydrogen in the molecule and having an average molecular weight from 500 to 20000 and (B) a multifunctional isocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups in the molecule, and a heat-sensitive recording material and a multicolor heat-sensitive recording material comprising a heat-sensitive recording layer containing the microcapsule are disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration membrane for micro- or ultra-filtration is formed from a complex of PVDF and calcined .alpha.-alumina (".alpha.-Al") particles, in which complex the particles are reacted and dispersed. The suspended complex is then mixed with a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (40%-90% hydrolyzed) referred to herein as HPVA, which reacts with the complex imparting hydrophilicity to the polymer. The novel membrane provides about 50% higher specific flux than a membrane made with the same polymer but without the .alpha.-Al particles. Unexpectedly, the net flux is improved by treating the membrane with a solution of sodium hypochlorite which fails to remove the HPVA from the novel membrane but does remove it from the prior art membrane which does not contain the .alpha.-Al. The preferred membrane comprises a macroporous support coated on its outer surface with a thin tubular asymmetric semipermeable film of polymer containing less than about 50% by is weight of .alpha.-A1 particles.

Abstract: A porous material of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which can retain at least 90% of 0.109 .mu.m latex spheres and has a flow rate (IPA flow rate) of at least 0.6 ml/cm.sup.2 /min as measured with isopropyl alcohol under a differential pressure of 1 kg/cm.sup.2. A process for the production of a porous material of PTFE, which comprises, after forming a molded article from fine powder of PTFE by paste extrusion, (1) sintering the molded article, (2) rolling up the molded article thus sintered and heat-treating it at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polytetrafluoroethylene in a state as rolled up, and then (3) stretching the molded article thus heat-treated in at least an uniaxial direction. The porous material of PTFE according to the present invention has micropores and good permeability and particularly is excellent in performance of retaining fine particles.

Abstract: A water wettable permselective membrane for use in hemodialysis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration applications and a device containing the same are provided. The membrane having the above properties comprises a hydrophobic-base polymer, such as a polysulfone or polyethersulfone polymer, and a block copolymer additive wherein one of the blocks of the copolymer additive is a hydrophilic polymer and the other block is a hydrophobic polymer that is analogous in structure to the hydrophobic-base polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of microcapsule compositions, methods for using those microcapsule compositions, compositions containing those microcapsule compositions and microcapsules prepared by the process of the present invention.

Abstract: Improved anisotropic fluid separation membranes are prepared from blends of polymers with surface energy differences. The membranes are formulated by processes wherein low surface energy polymer with desirable fluid separation and permeation characteristics is preferentially concentrated in the surface discriminating layer of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a sulfone polymer membrane with high surface porosity (high pore density) and distinctive asymmetry that can separate solids (i.e., blood cells) from a liquid (i.e., plasma) without the need for centrifugation. The membrane is further rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer (which is a hydrophobic polymer) with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. Because of these properties and the fact that it requires only a small amount of the solid containing liquid (i.e., whole blood) to be applied to the larger pore surface, the membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications (i.e., the detection of physiological conditions (i.e.

Abstract: This invention provides an aqueous/t-butanol solvent-system, facile reconstitute, submicron-reconsitiute preliposome-lyophilaye and method of its preparation and use.In one embodiment this entails a modified method for the preparation of a submicron and stable liposome formulation of the non-cross-resistant anthracycline Annamycin is described. The optimal lipid composition was DMPC:DMPG at a 7:3 molar ratio and the optimal lipid:drug weight ratio 50:1. The selected formulation is a preliposome lyophilized powder that contains the phospholipids, Annamycin, and 1.7 mg Tween 20 per mg of Annamycin. The liposome suspension is obtained on the day of use by adding normal saline at 37.degree. C. (1 ml per mg Annamycin) and hand-shaking for one minute. The presence of Tween 20 is essential in shortening the reconstitution step (from >2 hours to 1 minute), avoiding the early formation of free drug crystals, and reducing the median particle size (from 1.5 .mu.m to 0.15-0.20 .mu.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making semipermeable membranes from cellulose acetate and for making medical devices therefrom. In the process, a molten liquid comprising cellulose acetate (CA) is extruded to produce a membrane. The solvent and non-solvent are removed from the membrane to produce a semipermeable membrane having a water permeability. The semipermeable membrane is impregnated with a liquid consisting essentially of water to render the semipermeable membrane capable of being stored until time of use without undergoing a substantial loss in water permeability. The semipermeable membrane can be incorporated in a casing in order to produce a medical product, wherein the membrane is impregnated in the product.

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: Improved anisotropic fluid separation membranes are prepared from blends of polymers with surface energy differences. The membranes are formulated by processes wherein low surface energy polymer with desirable fluid separation and permeation characteristics is preferentially concentrated in the surface discriminating layer of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a microporous membrane from an unsulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) polymer by forming a mixture of an unsulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) polymer, an amorphous polymer, and optionally a plasticizer, heating the resulting mixture, extruding or optionally casting the mixture into a membrane, controlled cooling (quenching) or coagulating the membrane, and leaching the membrane, while optionally drawing the membrane before, during, and/or after leaching.

Abstract: Glass matt reinforced thermoplastics suitable for the production of paintable parts, comprisinga) a thermoplastic matrix polymer of a viscosity under processing conditions corresponding to a melt flow index (MFI 230/2.16) of polypropylene of at least 250 g/10 min andb) one or more glass matts which, upon heating, bring about an expansion of the glass matt reinforced thermoplastics to at least 2.5 times the original thickness, optionally in combination withc) an addition of fine-particle, mineral fillers.

Abstract: Highly asymmetric polyethersulfone membranes prepared from a stable, clear, homogeneous solution or stable colloidal dispersion of polyethersulfone are described. The membranes have a porous skin possessing a high density of skin pores with an average diameter of from about 0.001 micron to about 20 microns. In addition, the membrane has a porous support with an asymmetric region of gradually increasing pore diameters so that the opposite face of the membrane has an average pore diameter that is from about 50 to about 10,000 times the diameter of the skin pores.

Abstract: Methods of increasing storage stability of lipidic nucleus nanocapsules comprising adding a monosaccharide cryoprotective agent into the aqueous dispersion of the nanocapsules while maintaining gentle stirring until the same dissolves totally. Afterwards, freezing said dispersion thus obtained at a temperature of not less than -40.degree. C. for about 2 to 4 hours, and the eliminating the water by heating progressively to a temperature of about 35.degree. C. at reduced pressure, whereby a stable lyophilized product is obtained. The obtained product can be conveniently reconstituted by adding water or a more complex aqueous solution thereto. The nanocapsules have use in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, chemical industry, agriculture, and veterinary science.

Abstract: A microporous film of high molecular weight polyolefin useful in the prepration of filter mediums or non-aqueous battery separators and a process for producing the film are disclosed. The microporous film of high molecular weight polyolefin contains leaf vein-like fibrils as a main constituent on each of which fibrils indeterminate-form crystallites of not more than 1 .mu.m in size flocculate and has an intrinsic viscosity, ?.eta.!, of 4 dl/g or more and, preferably, has:(a) a void content of 25% or more;(b) a gas permeability of 1900 sec/100 cc or less;(c) a tensile strength of 0.05 GPa or more; and(d) a gas impermeability-acquiring temperature of 140.degree. C. or lower. The microporous film is produced by subjecting a high molecular weight, biaxially oriented polyolefin film of 60% or more in crystallinity to a heat treatment and, if necessary, to a stretch treatment to thereby melt or dissolve the indeterminate-form portion of the film, then crystallizing it onto the fibrils as crystallites.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a shelf-stable precursor solution used to prepare a vaccine delivery system and useful for remote encapsulation of active ingredients is described. The vaccine delivery system utilizes solvent dilution microcarriers into which pathogen subunits are incorporated for delivering antigens to mucosal sites for stimulating imunoglobulin production.

Abstract: A synthetic membrane consisting of a mixture of polysulfone and sulfonated polysulfone and not more than 20 wt. % of other polymers, characterized in that the mixture contains 0.5 to 8 wt. % sulfonated polysulfone, possibly as the salt of sulfonic acid, and a method for manufacturing this synthetic membrane, characterized in that one or more solvents are added to a mixture composed of 0.5 to 8 wt. % sulfonated polysulfone, possibly as the salt of sulfonic acid, polysulfone and not more than 20 wt. % of other polymers, the mixture is dissolved to form a polymer solution, the latter is shaped, and precipitated to form a membrane in a precipitating bath by means of one or more precipitating agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to accurately meterable shaped articles, for example granules or pellets, containing hydrophilic macromolecules, active compounds and optionally further pharmaceutically acceptable structure-forming substances and auxiliaries, the active compound being present in a matrix in dissolved, suspended or emulsified form, and a novel process for the production of these shaped articles, the process being particularly economically and ecologically acceptable, and use of the shaped articles as medicaments, in which the bioavailability, shelf life and tolerability is increased. Using the shaped articles or mixtures according to the invention, intermediates or final products for pharmacy, cosmetics, diagnosis, analysis or dietetics (healthcare) can additionally be advantageously prepared.

Abstract: A biological tissue transplant coated with a stabilized multilayer alginate coating and a method for preparation of the stabilized multilayer coating. Coating has three primary layers of the alginate with a polyamino acid barrier emplaced between a primary and a secondary layer. The secondary "halo" layer of soft gel is formed by a gel gradient created between weakly bound cross-linking gelling divalent cations of an alginate used for the primary layer of the coating and non-gelling counter ions of a non-ionic alginate of the secondary layer of the coating.

Abstract: A liposome for use in encapsulating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances (i.e., a "payload"),is disclosed which is capable of delivering their load upon the occurrence of a trigger or control condition. The liposomes are formed to stably encapsulate a particular active agent to form a delivery vehicle for the agent. The liposomes of the delivery vehicle are stable in a particular environment but become unstable or permeable if passed from the stable environment (e.g., characteristic of a particular pH and/or temperature and/or ionic strength) to a changed or unstable environment, thereby delivering their payload.

Abstract: The invention resides in mixing low-pressure gas in a viscous material. The flow of the gas can be easily controlled so that the dispersion of the mixing ratio of the viscous material to the gas may be confined within a small tolerance and fine bubbles may be uniformly distributed in the interior of the viscous material.The gas is mixed in the viscous material by means of a first pump 42, from which a mixture of the gas and the viscous material is delivered. Pressure is applied to the mixture by means of a second pump 51. The gas is distributed in the interior of the viscous material by allowing the mixture under pressure to pass through a conduit assembly 61. The viscous material is foamed when the mixture is discharged from a nozzle 73 through a discharge pipe 71.

Abstract: Provided are biodegradable microparticles, which exhibit a linear release profile of active agent, and methods for making the microparticles. The microparticles include a mixture of a biodegradable polymer, a water soluble polymer, and an active agent. Preferred biodegradable polymers include lactide homopolymers or copolymers of lactide and glycolide, and preferred water soluble polymers include poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or PEG copolymers. The microparticles are made using an emulsion/solvent extraction method, in which the continuous phase of the secondary emulsion contains an organic solvent that is miscible with the organic solvent in the primary emulsion.

Abstract: A process for forming a dialysis membrane utilizing a mixture of ion exchange resin components and thermoplastic resin components mixed together in a dry state and rotationally formed into a membrane. The rotational forming process includes rotational molding using temperature to conform the components to the shape of the mold as well as rotational casting using solvents and phase inversion to form the membrane. The resulting membrane is a smooth, dimensionally stable, efficient dialysis membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provide a method for preparing asymmetric separation membrane having thin skin layer having reduced numbers of pin holes on the surface of the membrane for separating water/organic solvent or gas. Imide type asymmetric hollow fiber membrane according to the present invention has superior separation degree and permeability of water/organic solvent or gas over general imide type asymmetric hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of microcapsules having a capsule wall of polyurea and encapsulating a water-immiscible pesticide, by dispersing a solution of a polyisocyanate in the sparingly water-soluble pesticide in water and subsequently reacting the dispersion with a polyamine, which process comprises effecting the dispersion of the solution of the polyisocyanate in the sparingly water-soluble pesticide in water and the subsequent reaction of the dispersion with the polyamine in the presence of at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible nonionic surfactant of a block copolymer having at least one hydrophobic block and at least one hydrophilic block.

Abstract: A process and device produce fibrous starch materials through extrusion of a dispersion or aqueous solution of starch material in a flow of saline coagulant. The dispersion or aqueous solution is extruded through a microporous tubular wall in an annular chamber surrounding the microporous wall to obtain an extrusion flux of starch material which surrounds the tubular wall. Coagulation of the starch material is carried out by feeding a flow of coagulation agent in the annular chamber parallel to the extrusion surface. The fibers obtained from the process or device are able to be used in the paper sector as a substitution for or in combination with cellulose fibers.

Abstract: Methods for producing matrices useful in bone graft onlay and inlay procedures are provided. Compositions prepared by these methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides molded, biodegradable porous polymeric implant materials having a pore size distribution throughout the material which is substantially uniform. These materials can be molded into implants of any desired size and shape without loss of uniformity of pore size distribution. The implants are useful as biodegradable scaffolds for cell growth in healing of tissue defects. When manufactured to have an aspect ratio greater than about 3, the implants can be further hand-shaped to fit the defect into which they are placed and the desired shape for the regrown tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a composite microporous polyolefin membrane having a high separation, a high flux and a high strength, comprising a microporous layer, b-layer, providing a reinforcing function, the b-layer being stacked on at least one surface of a microporous layer, a-layer, providing a separate function, wherein micropores in a-layer and b-layer are mutually interconnected inside of the layer and also between layers, thereby forming micropores connected from one surface of the membrane to the other surface thereof, and the ratio of the mean distance Da between microfibril bundles of micropores existing in a-layer to the mean distance Db between microfibril bundles of micropores existing in b-layer is in the range of 1.3.ltoreq.Db/Da.ltoreq.15, and furthermore all of the inner and the outer surfaces of the composite membrane and the surface inside of micropores are coated by a thin film of a hydrophilic copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of microcapsulated flakes or powders by drying aqueous mixtures containing (a) one or more water-emulsifiable, non-thermoplastic compounds which have a higher boiling point than waterand (b) at least one water-soluble, film-forming polymer, in which the content of component (a) is up to about 95% by weight, based on the dry weight of components (a) and (b), with the proviso that the water-soluble, film-forming polymer has a flocculation point of from 20.degree. to 98.degree. C. or the flocculation point is adjusted to from 20.degree. to 98.degree. C. with the aid of additives, and drying is carried out by thin-layer drying in a temperature range above the flocculation point.

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: Process for the preparation of polyether-amide solutions, steam-sterilizable dialysis membranes obtainable using the polyether-amide solutions, and a process for the production of these membranes.Polycondensation of one or more dicarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## with one or more aromatic diamines of the formula II ##STR2## and, if appropriate, m-phenylenediamine, in aprotic polar solvents is known.As a result of passing ammonia, in an amount sufficient to neutralize the HCl formed, into the polymer solution obtained after the end of the polycondensation and filtering off the ammonium chloride formed, it is possible to prepare neutral, salt-free and particularly storage-stable polyether-amide solutions which can be further processed to membranes without isolation of the polymer. The resulting membranes are steam-sterilizable, chemically and thermally stable and show efficiency data in the region of that of good high-flux dialysis membranes.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.

Abstract: A method of producing a microporous thermoplastic resin membrane of excellent permeability having uniform and fine micropores without filling stress concentrators to the thermoplastic resin is provided. Namely, there is provided a method of producing a microporous thermoplastic resin membrane, in which a thermoplastic resin foam incorporating fine cells having a ratio B/A between a cell size (A) and a wall thickness (B) of the cells of less than 0.5 and having a void ratio of not less than about 50% is subjected to plastic deformation of the boundaries of the cells themselves sufficient to cause shape deformation of the cells, thereby breaking the boundaries of the cells. Also there is provided a microporous thermoplastic resin membrane of excellent permeability having uniform and fine micropores produced by the method as described above.

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 method for forming a hollow fiber bundle unit for insertion into an assisted breathing device comprising spinning a hollow fiber or hollow fibers, collecting multiple fibers into a bundle, filling the walls of the hollow fibers within the hollow fiber bundle with an humectant, coating the hollow fibers containing the humectant with a solution of an adhesive material, forming and drying the hollow fiber bundle coated with the solution, and preparing the hollow fiber bundle coated with the solution for insertion into the assisted breathing device.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing temperature activated gaseous precursor-filled liposomes are described. Gaseous precursor-filled liposomes prepared by these methods are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.