Landec Corporation

Other

Raychem Limited

David D Taft

Steven P Bitler

Ray F Stewart

Stelios Tzannis

Qiang Zheng

Adam Warwick Bell

Sandra Ottensmann

Wei-Guo Dai

David A Kamp

Edward E Schmitt

Valentine Y Yoon

Natarajan Balachander

Andrew W Larson

Lawrence C Greene

Thomas W Ross

Ashok K Mehan

Tai Chun Cheng

Steven C Zingheim

Donald A Schultz

Carl J Weber

Mark A Wanthal

Bruce A Kaduk

Julian E Schafer

Paul A Meyers

Sandra N Ottensmann

Stelios T Tzannis

Formulations of drugs and crystalline side chain polymers to provide controlled and/or sustained release drug formulations.

Delivery of drugs

PLGA, PLA and PGA polymers which have crystallinity resulting from the presence of long chain alkyl groups in terminal units. The polymers are particularly useful for drug delivery.

Polymer formulations for delivery of bioactive materials

Systems and methods for delivering release materials, for example drugs and other bioactive materials. Crystalline polymeric systems, referred to as CYC carriers, are associated with the release materials, through chemical bonding or through physical association. The crystallinity of the CYC carriers results from the presence of crystallizable side chains, for example long chain n-alkyl moieties, which results in relatively low and sharp melting temperatures. One class of CYC carriers, referred to as CYSC polymers, have a majority of the crystallizable side chains pendant from the polymer backbone. Another class of CYC carriers referred to as ECC polymers, have a majority of the crystallizable side chains attached to terminal units of the polymer backbone. The ECC polymers can for example be obtained by modification of PLGA polymers. The CYC carriers in another class of non-polymeric. Some CYC carriers, referred to as CYC assemblies, have enhanced crystallinity as a result of the physical association of crystallizable moieties which are present in different types of molecule, for example between a polymer containing crystallizable moieties and a monomer containing crystallizable moieties. For some uses, particularly the delivery of drugs, a bioerodable CYC carrier is preferably used.

Systems and methods for delivery of materials

Methods for making formulations of drugs and crystalline side chain polymers which formulations provide controlled and/or sustained release drug formulations.

Method for formulating a controlled-release pharmaceutical formulation

Delivery of drugs in association with PLGA polymers which have crystallinity resulting from the presence of long chain alkyl groups in terminal units.

Thickeners for oil-containing compositions, particularly cosmetic and personal care compositions, are side chain crystalline polymers which are uniformly dispersed as a crystallized solid in the oil.

Polymeric thickeners for oil-containing compositions

A new vigor test is used to select seeds which, after appropriate polymeric coating, will perform well under adverse planting and growing conditions. For example, suitably coated hybrid corn seeds can be planted earlier than seeds now available, while still obtaining comparable or better yields. Particularly good results are obtained when seeds are coated with compositions comprising a side chain crystalline polymer and an amorphous polymer.

Selection and treatment of seeds

Novel modifying agents contain a sharply-melting crystalline polymer ingredient, preferably a side chain crystalline (SCC) ingredient, and an active chemical ingredient. Such modifying agents, especially when in the form of particles, can be placed in contact with a matrix, will not modify the matrix below the crystalline melting point T , but will rapidly modify the matrix above T . The active chemical ingredient can react with the matrix, catalyze a reaction of the matrix, or inhibit a reaction of the matrix. Particularly useful compositions are polymer precursors which are storage-stable at low temperatures but which are rapidly converted to crosslinked resins when heated to temperatures above T , optionally in the presence of light.

Polymeric modifying agents

Shrinkage of cured resins is reduced by mixing the crosslinkable resin with a low profile additive (LPA). The LPA is in the form of particles which comprise an SCC polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The system is cured at a temperature above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (T ), and the system and the LPA are such that at least part of the LPA remains as a separate phase in the curable resin at temperatures below T . It is believed that at least part of the crystalline polymer remains as a separate phase in the resin as it cures. Preferably at least part of the crystalline polymer forms a separate phase in the cured polymer after it has cooled.

Method of using low profile additives for crosslinkable resins

The rheological properties of a crosslinkable resin system are modified by the presence of a side chain crystalline (SCC) polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The polymer dissolves in the curable system at temperatures above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (T ), but when the system is then cooled to a temperature below T , at least partially forms a separate phase in the curable system. Below T , this separate phase substantially increases the viscosity of the curable system (i.e. makes it thicker than the same system without the crystalline polymer). This is particularly valuable for sheet molding composites (SMCs) in which the increase in viscosity makes the composites less tacky, and for dry film resists (DFRs). Above T , the curable system containing the dissolved crystalline polymer has a viscosity which is substantially less than its viscosity below T .

Side chain crystalline polymer as rheology modifier for crosslinked polymer

Orthopedic casts which comprise an elastically deformed support which is held in its elastically deformed state by a solid casting composition. After the cast has been placed around a patient's limb, it is heated to soften the casting composition, thus permitting recovery of the cast into conforming contact with the limb. The support can for example be a fabric knitted from elastomeric fibers and glass fiber yarns. The casting composition can for example comprise polycaprolactone and/or a side chain crystallizable polymer, which melts at 45.degree.-60.degree. C. A padded liner can be placed between the cast and the limb. Recovery of the cast is preferably carried out by means of a hot air gun.

Method of forming an orthopedic cast

Orthopedic casts

Polymeric blends

A drill accessory kit for mounting screw-type fasteners is comprised of several drill bit holders and a screwdriving attachment. The bit holder engages a common twist drill bit in the chuck of a drill and allows one to drill a pilot hole to a desired depth in a workpiece with a cutting action which provides a proper-shaped hole for clean flush mounting or countersinking of a screw. Subsequently, the screwdriver attachment slips over the drill bit and engages with the bit holder, allowing a quick change from drilling to powerdriving of a screw.

Growing community of inventors

Atherton, CA, United States of America

David D Taft