The present invention generally relates to the field of pharmaceutical sciences. More specifically, the present invention includes apparatus and devices for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations containing large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles, such as multivesicular liposomes, methods for preparing such formulations, and the use of specific formulations for therapeutic treatment of subjects in need thereof. Formation and use of the pharmaceutical formulations containing large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles produced by using the apparatus and devices for therapeutic treatment of subjects in need thereof is also contemplated.

Method for formulating large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles

A drug delivery particle including a reservoir region having primarily large pores and a metering region. The particle can be highly spherical.

Drug delivery particle

The invention disclosed by this application relates to a novel method of processing sinterable powders into sintered ceramic products. This application also relates to novel forms of aluminum oxide, hydroxylapatite, and tricalcium phosphate ceramic products prepared in accordance with the method of this invention, as well as novel intermediate products useful to prepare the novel ceramic products of this invention.

Ceramic process and products

Calcium phosphate materials

The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Proppants with carbide and/or nitride phases

Spherical particles of polycrystalline silicon carbide having a density greater than 80% of the theoretical density for silicon carbide and having an average diameter ranging from about 10 microns to about 5000 microns are produced by forming spherical agglomerates of a sinterable silicon carbide powder and sintering the agglomerates at a temperature ranging from about 1900° C. to about 2300° C.

Fabrication of small dense silicon carbide spheres

Particulate matter can be consolidated into shaped bodies by the application of pressure in a fluid by a flexible, nonporous membrane. This process, referred to as “hydrostatic” or “isostatic” pressing, can be modified in a number of important ways which affect the final product produced. For example, pressure can be applied slowly or rapidly, the charge can be de-aired or not, and the powder may be made to load into the flexible membrane densely or loosely. These factors, along with the effect of pressure, particle hardness, size distribution, and granulations, were investigated to establish their effects on the quality of the pressed bodies and subsequent processing. This report presents the results of this investigation from which it has been determined that hydrostatic pressing produced compacts with improved mechanical properties versus die pressing, and that these properties are dependent on the above mentioned factors.

Charles E. van Buren

Papers

Fabrication of small dense silicon carbide spheres

Isostatic Compaction II