Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for making encased bound microparticles by nebulizing a dispersion of the bound microparticles into a solution of an encasing polymer and into a liquid, non-solvent of said encasing polymer.

Abstract: A method of preventing the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of a biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of an antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin. An antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin that prevents the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. A broad spectrum organic antimicrobial agent that is water insoluble and thus precipitates out and becomes encapsulated within micropores of the resin during suspension polymerization. The antimicrobial agent is submicron sized and has a high surface area. The antimicrobial agent protects the antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange bead from the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. The antimicrobial agent is nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, substantially nonleaching and durable over the lifespan of the bead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colorant compositions containing neonanoplasts. The colorant compositions exhibit improved color brightness and brilliance due to the incorporation of one or more colorants in the neonanoplasts. The colorant compositions may be printed onto virtually any substrate. The colorant compositions of the present invention have particular utility in the area of printed textiles.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation containing Tolperison or a salt thereof as an active ingredient in the form of a racemic mixture which can be a 50/50/-racemat or a racemat with the perponderant content of the (−) -isomer of Tolperison. The pharmaceutical preparation is formulated as a solid or liquid medicament for oral administration. The active ingredient Tolperison that is present as 50/50-racemat or as racemat with a preponderant content of the (−)-isomer or the (+)-isomer is liberated from the preparation in the human body in a delayed manner and preferably in the intestinal canal.

Abstract: A microcapsule (or microencapsulated product) having a uniform and smooth coating film and also an excellent performance of gradually liberating the content material is produced at a good particle size distribution while suppressing the occurrence of isolated or aggregated film material, aggregated microcapsules and isolated core material. The production process includes: a first coating step of mixing a water-soluble cationic amino resin and an anionic surfactant in the presence of a hydrophobic core material dispersed in an aqueous medium to coat the dispersed core material with a coacervate of the cationic amino resin and the anionic surfactant; and a second coating step of adding an amino resin prepolymer into an aqueous dispersion liquid containing the coated dispersed core material and polycondensating the amino resin prepolymer to further coat the coated dispersed core material with a polycondensate of the amino resin prepolymer.

Abstract: A particle resistant to storage of at least one first and at least one second component, wherein said second component of at least one crosslinkable polymer as a shell at least partially envelops and/or encloses said first component as a core and said first component has at least one ascertainable property, obtainable by reacting said first component with the crosslinkable polymer and subsequently reacting the formed product with a crosslinking agent such that the first component with resistance to storage remains within the second component.

Abstract: Processes for making microparticles, preferably containing an active agent, are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves preparing (1) a dispersed phase containing an agent in a solution of polymer and a first solvent; (2) a continuous phase containing a surfactant, and a second solvent that is totally or partially immiscible with the first solvent; and (3) an extraction phase that is a nonsolvent for the polymer, a solvent for the continuous phase components, and a solvent for the first solvent, wherein the first solvent has solubility in the extraction phase of between about 0.1% and 25% by weight. Then, the dispersed phase and the continuous phase are mixed to form an emulsion, and the emulsion is then briefly mixed with a suitable quantity of extraction phase to induce skin formation at the interface of the dispersed and continuous phases. Remaining solvent is removed by an evaporation process step.

Abstract: A polyester dispersion comprising water and a biodegradable copolyester which contains structural units derived from both aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids or their derivatives, and the coated fertilizer granules prepared using this polyester dispersion, and a process for their preparation. A fertilization method in which the coated fertilizer granules according to the invention are used.

Abstract: A particle resistant to storage of at least one first and at least one second component, wherein

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for delivery of drugs intended to reside in the nose, compositions for nasal administration of drugs, e.g., antiviral agents, and particularly antiviral agents comprising the human major rhinovirus receptor, also known as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1); to methods of making said nasal drug compositions, and to an improved process for the removal of residual solvent from pharmaceutical matrices.

Abstract: Provided is a method of encapsulating a chemical agent comprising: (a) combining particles of a chemical agent and an encapsulation effective amount of a first encapsulating agent in an aqueous solvent and (b), converting the first encapsulating agent to a polymer to form encapsulated particles of the chemical agent.

Abstract: Described is an object having a coating on at least one of its surfaces over at least part of its area comprising IR reflecting particles which comprise at least two titanium dioxide layer applied on a flake like carrier and a suitable binder material and a method for manufacturing of such object.

Abstract: Solid water-dispersible compositions containing microencapsulated pesticides are produced by spray-drying an aqueous suspension of said pesticides in the presence of a water-soluble polymer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Size-enlarged sludge particles 12 having nuclei of objective particles and having a particle size in a range of from 1 &mgr;m inclusive to 2000 &mgr;m exclusive are mixed with slurry containing fine alumina powder so that a mixture is prepared. Then, the mixture is dried by removal of the water content in the mixture. Then, the mixture is baked at a temperature in a range of from 1200° C. to 1500° C. so that alumina on surfaces of the size-enlarged sludge particles 12 are sintered. By the aforementioned method, light-weight alumina particles can be produced with the particle size controlled well to a uniform value.

Abstract: A stabilized solid controlled release dosage form having a coating derived from an aqueous dispersion of ethylcellulose is obtained by overcoating a substrate including a therapeutically active with an aqueous dispersion of ethylcellulose and then curing the coated substrate at a temperature and relative humidity elevated to a suitable level above ambient conditions until the coated dosage form attains a stabilized dissolution profile substantially unaffected by exposure to storage conditions of elevated temperature and/or elevated relative humidity.

Abstract: Bioactive agent is encapsulated in a polymer microparticle in a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion-based method, and using a solvent that comprises ethyl acetate. Also described are microparticles comprising low inherent viscosity (i.v.) PLG, some with i.v. less than 0.5dl/g, and methods for their preparation. DNA release is modified through use of low i.v. PLG. A particle production method for scale-up uses a blender that avoids excessive shear damage to DNA being encapsulated.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating seeds and particulate material includes an elongated tray operably mounted on a support frame with a motor for oscillating the tray to move particulate material from a rearward end to a forward end therealong. The tray includes a perforated support surface with a saw-toothed cross-sectional shape such that the particulate climbs the inclined tread of each sawtooth and drops from the forward end of one tread to the rearward end of an adjacent tread to form a “curtain”. A plurality of spray nozzles are located over the tray to direct coating solution onto the seeds as they move along the tray. Preferably, the nozzles direct spray towards the curtain of falling seeds between the treads. An upper housing on the support frame includes an air plenum which directs air downwardly onto the seeds on the support surface and through the perforated support surface to a second air plenum formed under the support surface.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by polycondensation of a melamine/formaldehyde resin mixture in water, in which essentially water-insoluble material forming the capsule core is dispersed, in the presence of an anionic protective colloid, by a process wherein the melamine/formaldehyde resin mixture is composed of: a) an aqueous solution of a condensate of a1) 1 mol of melamine, a2) from 2 to 5 mol of formaldehyde and a3) from 0 to 0.5 mol of a melamine derivative which can undergo an addition or condensation reaction with formaldehyde and a4) from 1 to 5 mol of a C1-C3-alkanol and b) from 0.01 to 1 mol of a water-soluble primary, secondary or tertiary amine or ammonia.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a “glue” to cause more than one biological substance to adhere together, or as carriers for biologically active species. Several methods for forming these membranes are provided. Each of these methods utilizes a polymerization system containing water-soluble macromers, species which are at once polymers and macromolecules capable of further polymerization. The macromers are polymerized using a photoinitiator (such as a dye), optionally a cocatalyst, optionally an accelerator, and radiation in the form of visible or long wavelength UV light. The reaction occurs either by suspension polymerization or by interfacial polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing the controlled-release chitosan microcapsule, more specifically to a process for preparing the sustained-release chitosan microcapsule capable of releasing at an appropriate rate for a long time, which is characterized by: a) Biodegradable chitosan polymer is used for the capsule material; b) The capsule is kept stable during the release time by the rapid and effective crosslinking reaction between the chitosan polymer and the double crosslinking agent on the surface of tiny particles formed by a new emulsion interface reaction method using a double crosslinking agent of sulfuric acid and glutaraldehyde; and c) The microcapsule which is smaller than several &mgr;m s can be easily formed and the capsule is kept stable for a long release time because an insoluble polymer film whose source material is biodegradable is formed after the release.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of microcapsules by the condensation of melamine-formaldehyde resins and/or the methyl ethers thereof in water, in which the substantially water-insoluble material forming the core of the capsule is dispersed, in the presence of an anionic protective colloid at pH's of from 3 to 6.5 by the formation of the microcapsules at temperatures of from 20° to 50° C. followed by curing of the shell of the capsules at from >50° to 100° C., in which, prior to curing, from 10 to 200 wt % of urea, whose amino groups are optionally linked to an ethylene or propylene bridge, based on the melamine-formaldehyde resin are added, the microcapsules produced by this process and also the use thereof in a pressure-sensitive recording system.

Abstract: A process for forming microspheres that includes passing a first composition containing polymer and solvent through an orifice and directly into a second composition containing water and a microsphere-stabilizing agent, under at least one of conditions (a) and (b), wherein (a) the first composition flows through a first conduit along a first path and exits the first conduit at the orifice, the second composition flows through a second conduit along a second path in an upstream to downstream direction, the first conduit is connected to the second conduit and terminates at the orifice, the first and second paths being orientated at an angle &thgr; relative to each other, wherein 0°<&thgr;<180°; (b) the first composition being at a first temperature and including a solvent having a boiling point, the second composition being at a second temperature, the boiling point of the solvent being less than the second temperature; and forming a composition including water and microspheres, the microspheres b

Abstract: Microbubble dispersions stabilised by phospholipids predominantly comprising molecules which individually have an overall net charge exhibit advantageous stability, rendering them useful both as efficacious contrast agents per se and as intermediates in the preparation of contrast agents wherein the phospholipids are crosslinked or polymerised. An improved process for preparing microbubble-containing contrast agents is also disclosed, this comprising lyophilising an aqueous dispersion of gas microbubbles stabilised by one or more membrane-forming lipids to yield a dried product which may be reconstituted in an injectable carrier liquid to generate a microbubble-containing contrast agent.

Abstract: Synthetic polymer complements (SPCs) are provided, as well as methods for their synthesis and use. The SPCs range in size from about 20 to about 1000 nm. The SPCs have surfaces that are complementary to surface sites of target molecules, resulting in the ability of the SPCs to selectively bind to molecular targets. The molecular recognition capability of these particles enables their use in diagnostic, therapeutic, and separation applications. The SPC is formed by contacting a target template molecule with a set of building blocks solubilized in the interior of a liposome, which building blocks are then polymerized into a network to form the synthetic polymer complement in the interior of the liposome. The target templates are removed to produce complementary sites in a SPC that map the surface of the target, resulting in a water-soluble SPC nanoparticle of similar dimensions as the interior of the liposome that originally supported it and capable of molecular recognition.

Abstract: A method of preparing an extract of at least one active principle in the form of completely dry soluble granules wherein an extract of an active principle is prepared in a solvent medium and depositing the extract upon the internal and external walls of microporous carriers that are insoluble in the solvent, drying the impregnated granules, and coating the walls of the granules with a film forming polymer. The granules are a soluble dietary fiber based upon a polymer selected from the group comprising inulin and oligofructoses and, fructo-oligosaccharides separately or mixed.

Abstract: A method of making isolated particles including the step of at least substantially encapsulating particles present in a highly dispersed colloidal suspension with an encapsulant material, such that the encapsulated particles remain independent and discrete upon separation from the suspension. Also, independent and discrete particles at least substantially encapsulated with the encapsulant material.

Abstract: The invention relates to gel-coated microcapsules which have improved mechanical stress- and flame-resistance. A method for making the gel coated microcapsules is also provided. Phase change materials can be included in the microcapsules to provide thermal control in a wide variety of environments.