摘要:
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for administering one or more active agents to the eye of a human or animal patient in need thereof, and more particularly to devices for application to the cornea which release active agent to the eye in a controlled manner.
摘要:
Formulations for preventing the sexual transmission of the HIV virus are provided. In one embodiment, the formulations contain un-conjugated liposomes whose physicochemical properties allow binding to the HIV virus. The liposomes are made up of natural or synthetic lipids, alone or in combination. Preferably, the liposomes are made entirely of cardiolipin. In other embodiments the liposomes are modified to contain Hgands which bind HIV. The method for preventing the sexual transmission of the HIV virus includes self-administration of a formulation containing an effective amount of liposomes which bind to the HIV virus to the surface of a mucosal membrane prior to intercourse.
摘要:
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for releasing a releasable species from an article using an external trigger, for example, using microwave radiation or other forms of radiation, e.g., radiofrequency radiation. Such systems and methods may be useful, for example, in biological applications (e.g., as an implant within a subject), industrial applications, commercial applications, or the like. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to an article containing a radiation-sensitive polymer or other radiation-sensitive material. Exposure of the radiation- sensitive material to radiation such as microwave and/or radiofrequency radiation may cause the material to increase in temperature. This increase in temperature may be used, in some cases, to cause the release of a drug or other releasable species from the article. For instance, a drug may be contained in a heat-sensitive material positioned in thermal communication with the radiation-sensitive material, or a drug may be contained within an enclosure that is isolated, at least in part, by a heat-sensitive material positioned in thermal communication with the radiation-sensitive material. In another aspect of the invention, a receive antenna, such as a microwave receive antenna may be used to focus microwave and/or radiofrequency radiation on an article. For instance, the receive antenna may focus microwave and/or radiofrequency radiation on a radiation-sensitive material in the article. Such focusing may be useful, in some embodiments, to control release of a drug or other releasable species from the article. Other aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods of making or using such articles, e.g., by implanting the article within a subject, methods of treatment involving such articles, kits including such articles, and the like.
摘要:
The present invention relates, in part, to a novel and simple particulate system that targets and binds any tissue selectively upon light illumination. The particulate system can be used for targeted delivery of substances to predefined cells or tissues in an individual.
摘要:
Chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) improve access of local anesthetics to the nerve, thereby improving their performance. Surfactants, representing three CPE sub-groups: anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, were co-injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or bupivacaine at the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats. All enhancers produced marked concentration-dependent improvements in the frequency and duration of block with TTX but not bupivacaine. An in vitro toxicity assay showed a wide range of CPE myotoxicity, but in vivo histological assessment showed no signs of muscle or nerve damage at concentrations of CPEs that produced a half-maximal increase in the duration of block of TTX. There was no systematic relationship between the enhancers' charge or hydrophobicity and their enhancement of block duration or potency. Thus, CPEs can provide marked prolongation of nerve blockade from TTX, without apparent local tissue toxicity, and therefore enhance the clinical applicability of TTX for prolonged-duration local anesthesia.
摘要:
The present invention provides compositions and methods for noninvasive delivery of therapeutic agents across an intact tympanic membrane. For example, the compositions include a penetration enhancer which increases the flux of a therapeutic agent (e.g., antibiotic) across the tympanic membrane. Such compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of otitis media. Additionally, the composition may include a sustained release agents that, in some embodiments form sustained release reservoirs, in situ, once administered to a patient.
摘要:
A complex coacervate delivery system is provided which encapsulates lipophilic nutrients such as, for example, fish oils high in omega-3 fatty acids. The complex coacervate delivery system protects the lipophilic nutrient from degradation, e.g., oxidation and hydrolysis, and also reduces or eliminates the unpleasant taste and odor of the lipophilic nutrient. The complex coacervate delivery system upon ingestion is operative to substantially release the lipophilic nutrient in the lower gastrointestinal tract in a pH-controlled manner. The complex coacervate delivery system may be included in a food or beverage product having a pH value within the range of about 1.5 to about 5.0.
摘要:
Combinations of naturally occurring site 1 sodium channel blockers, such as tetrodotoxin (TTX), saxitoxin (STX), decarbamoyl saxitoxin, and neosaxitoxin (referred to jointly herein as “toxins”), with other agents, have been developed to give long duration block with improved features, including safety and specificity. In one embodiment, duration of block is greatly prolonged by combining a toxin with a local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor, glucocorticoid, and/or adrenergic drugs, both alpha agonists (epinephrine, phenylephrine), beta-blockers (propranalol), and mixed central-peripheral alpha-2 agonists (clonidine), or other agents. In another embodiment, the duration of nerve block from toxin can be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of amphiphilic or lipophilic solvents. In still another embodiment, the effectiveness of these compositions is enhanced by microencapsulation within polymeric carriers, preferably biodegradable synthetic polymeric carriers. Modality specific nerve block can be obtained using combinations of toxin with vanilloids.
摘要:
Injectable or implantable drug delivery systems providing on-demand ultrasound-triggered drug release and methods for controlling the release of drug in a patient are provided herein. The on-demand drug delivery systems contain a drug depot and a drug encapsulated in an encapsulating material, where the encapsulating material is different from the depot. In the preferred embodiment, the depot also contains microbubbles that encapsulate one or more gases. The microbubbles enhance the drug release when ultrasound is applied compared to the same system in the absence of microbubbles. In a preferred embodiment, the drug delivery system, contains an encapsulating material, preferably liposomes, a drug to be delivered, microbubbles, and at least two hydrogel-forming precursor components. Following injection or implantation, the patient can control the time, location and dosage released by administering ultrasound.
摘要:
The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires and tissue engineering. In various embodiments, cell scaffolds for growing cells or tissues can be formed that include nanoscale wires that can be connected to electronic circuits extending externally of the cell scaffold. The nanoscale wires may form an integral part of cells or tissues grown from the cell scaffold, and can even be determined or controlled, e.g., using various electronic circuits. This approach allows for the creation of fundamentally new types of functionalized cells and tissues, due to the high degree of electronic control offered by the nanoscale wires and electronic circuits. Accordingly, such cell scaffolds can be used to grow cells or tissues which can be determined and/or controlled at very high resolutions, due to the presence of the nanoscale wires, and such cell scaffolds will find use in a wide variety of novel applications, including applications in tissue engineering, prosthetics, pacemakers, implants, or the like.