University System of Maryland

Other

The General Hospital Corporation

Prasidiux, LLC

Gel-E, Inc.

University of California

Canon U.s.a., Inc.

Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited

Wichita State University

Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.

Srinivasa R Raghavan

Matthew Dowling

Ian M White

Kunal R Pandit

Rel S Ambrozy

Raymond C Jones

Bani H Cipriano

Jade Litcher

Kevin K Diehn

Chao Zhu

David R King

Gregory F Payne

John R Hess

Grant Bochicchio

Jane F Emerson

William E Bentley

Philip R DeShong

Douglas Stephen English

Shanshan Huang

Jessica L Terrell

Edwin H Kolodny

Xi Lu

Chandamany Arya

David Chappell

Joseph Wee

Faraz A Burni

Ankit Gargava

So Hyun Ahn

Hanchu Wang

Matthew Furstenburg

Brady C Zarket

Hyuntaek Oh

Kunshan Sun

Sohyun Ahn

Jae-Ho Lee

Imaly Nanayakkara

Neeraja Dashaputre

Vishal Javvaji

Rakesh Kumar

Baijin Zeng

Weidong Cao

Karl Engel

Zhao-Hui Wang

A method of system of forming a biopolymer hydrogel structure includes a mold loaded with a cation. At least a portion of the surface of the mold is exposed to a solution comprising a gellable polymer such as alginate. An electric potential is applied to the mold so that the cation therein and the gellable polymer migrate via electrophoresis toward the surface portion, thereby interacting and forming a hydrogel structure adjacent to the surface portion.

Systems and methods of forming hydrogel structures and structures formed therefrom

The problem of lost circulation is pertinent to the oil industry. To prevent fluid loss, a lost circulation material (LCM), or more generally, a plugging material, can be used to effectively plug the fractures in the rock formation. If the fractures are in the production zone, it is also ideal to unplug them when the drilling operation is complete. Therefore, a material engineered to degrade after a desired period would be useful. In examples, a plugging material has been developed by gelling an oil-based fluid using a low molecular weight gelator, dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS). DBS gels are robust and show plugging behavior. DBS is shown to chemically degrade in presence of an acid. Hence, a self-degrading gel can be synthesized by incorporating an acid into the system. Further, by varying the type and concentration of the acid, the degradation time of the gel can be controlled.

Self-degrading organogels

Methods of synthesizing multilayer structures, including multilayer capsules, tubes and hair-covered substrates, are provided. A substrate is provided comprising a polymerization initiator. The initiator-loaded substrate is exposed to a solution comprising a monomer and crosslinker. The initiator diffuses outwardly from the substrate, thereby initiating polymerization of the monomer and forming a layered structure comprising a polymer portion disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate. The process may be repeated for a selected number of cycles, thereby forming a multilayer structure having a selected number of layers. The composition, thickness and properties of each layer are selectively controlled. Multilayer structures formed in accordance with the methodologies are also provided.

Multilayer structures with distinct layers and methods of forming same

Methods and systems for synthesizing multicompartment capsules are disclosed, as well as multicompartment polymer capsules formed in accordance with disclosed techniques. At least one plurality of polymer capsules are formed via a capsule-forming process. A feed solution and a reservoir solution are provided, each comprising a biopolymer. The feed solution biopolymer and the reservoir solution biopolymer have opposite charges. Droplets of the feed solution are introduced into the reservoir solution, thereby forming via electrostatic complexation a plurality of polymer capsules. At least a portion of the resulting polymer capsules are then encapsulated in a larger polymer capsule via a similar process, wherein the feed solution utilized for the encapsulation process also comprises the formed smaller capsules.

Multicompartment capsules and methods and systems for forming same

A sprayable polymeric foam hemostat for both compressible and non-compressible (intracavitary) acute wounds is disclosed. The foam comprises hydrophobically-modified polymers, such as hm-chitosan, or other amphiphilic polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. By rapidly expanding upon being released from a canister pressurized with liquefied gas propellant, the foam is able to enter injured body cavities and staunch bleeding. The seal created is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood from these cavities. Hydrophobically-modified polymers inherently prevent microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism. The amphiphilic polymers form solid gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting mechanism that prevent loss of blood.

Advanced functional biocompatible foam used as a hemostatic agent for non-compressible acute wounds

The present invention relates to a method for concentrating a biological sample containing nucleic acids by using magnetic chitosan microparticles and subsequently performing a PCR reaction on the nucleic acids captured on the microparticles. The chitosan microparticles added to the biological sample at a PCR compatible pH are mechanically agitated to provide for cell lysis and simultaneous DNA capture, and then serve as a solid support for the nucleic acid template during the PCR reaction. As the chitosan microparticles are utilized for lysis and the nucleic acids do not need to be removed from the microparticles before PCR, the ease of the sample preparation procedure is dramatically improved.

Single-step DNA preparation for polymerase chain reaction using magnetic chitosan microparticles

The invention relates to a method and system for generating droplets of an aqueous solution on a microfluidic chip with an air continuous phase. Specifically, the droplet generator according to the present invention is integrated into a microfluidic chip to generate and introduce droplets of an aqueous solution into the microfluidic chip. The droplets travelling in a network of chip channels may be captured in on-chip traps in a manner defined by hydrodynamic resistances of chip channels. A biological reaction may be performed on a droplet trapped on the microfluidic chip.

Generation and trapping of aqueous droplets in a microfluidic chip with an air continuous phase

A hemostatic putty for treatment of a variety of wounds topographies, including but not limited to highly three dimensional wounds, for example gunshot wounds and impalements, is disclosed. The putty is comprised of a matrix polymer weakly crosslinked or not crosslinked such that a viscoelastic matrix is formed. The viscoelastic nature of the putty is tunable by the composition and enables the putty to conform to a variety of wound topographies. Likewise, a hemostatic polymer, for example chitosan or hydrophobically modified chitosan, is included in this matrix to impart hemostatic properties and tissue adhesive on the putty. The hemostatic polymers disclosed prevent microbial infection and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism.

Advanced functional biocompatible polymer putty used as a hemostatic agent for treating damaged tissue and cells

The present invention relates generally to the use of a class of surfactants for emulsion and droplet polymerase chain reaction ('PCR') mixtures. The class of surfactants consists of those having the chemical formula R&#x2014;(OCHCH)&#x2014;OH, wherein R is an alkyl group consisting of 12 to 18 carbons and n is 2 to 25. The present invention also relates to methods, devices, systems, and kits incorporating the above-described class of surfactants.

Methods, devices and systems for emulsion/droplet PCR

A formulation for coating surfaces, for example gloves, with a tacky film comprises a hydrophobically modified biopolymer, where the hydrophobic modifications of the biopolymer correspond to between 1 and 90% of available functional groups, a plasticizer, and a volatile solvent. The formulation quickly dries into a tacky film that provides an enhanced friction of the surface.

Quick-drying, tacky polymer film compositions and methods of use

A hemostatic tissue sealant sponge and a spray for acute wounds are disclosed. The sponge comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. The seal is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood inside the boundaries of the sponge, yet weak enough to substantially prevent damage to newly formed tissue upon recovery and subsequent removal of the sponge. In examples, the polymers inherently prevent microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism. The spray comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that form solid gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting mechanism to prevent loss of blood. In an example, the spray further comprises at least one reagent that increases the mechanical integrity of the clot. In another example, the reagent prevents microbial infection of the wound.

Advanced functional biocompatible polymeric matrix used as a hemostatic agent and system for damaged tissues and cells

Contemplated compositions and methods allow for in-situ formation of a rigid seal layer in a blood collection tube between a cell-depleted phase and a cell-enriched phase. Preferably, the seal layer is formed upon brief UV irradiation and comprises an acrylate, a methacrylate, an epoxy, a urethane, and/or a thiol-ene polymer.

Polymers for use in centrifugal separation of liquids

Growing community of inventors

Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Srinivasa R Raghavan