Devices and methods are provided for controlled delivery of medical substances such as drugs and medication. For example, a microchip medical substance delivery device includes a control system, and a medical substance capsule that comprises a medical substance contained with a reservoir, and a release structure to release the medical substance from within the reservoir in response to an activation signal generated by the control system. The control system comprises a wireless signal receiving element, processor, actuator circuit, and power supply source. The wireless signal receiving element captures a wireless signal. The processor detects an activation code embedded within the captured wireless signal, and generates an actuator control signal in response to the detection of the activation code. The actuator circuit generates the activation signal in response to the actuator control signal generated by the processor. The power supply source provides power to operate components of the control system.

A composite magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery system provides targeted controlled release chemotherapies for cancerous tumors and inflammatory diseases. The magnetic nanoparticle includes a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, a magnetic nanoparticle, the biological targeting agent human serum albumin, and a therapeutic pharmaceutical composition. The composite nanoparticles are prepared by oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent evaporation and high shear mixing. An externally applied magnetic field draws the magnetic nanoparticles to affected areas. The biological targeting agent draws the nanoparticles into the affected tissues. Polymer degradation provides controlled time release delivery of the pharmaceutical agent.

A transdermal device (1) comprising at least one substrate (2) arranged to be applied against the dermal surface or the mucous membrane. The at least one active ingredient is grafted to the substrate (2) by at least one photolabile ligand, and at least one light source (11) operated by a control mechanism arranged to generate light pulses, of a predetermined wavelength, intended to break covalent bonds between the active ingredient and the ligand in order to release the active ingredient from the substrate (2). The substrate (2) comprises at least one porous matrix (6) with a three-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of pits (7) organized in a sponge-like fashion and constructed of a polymer chosen between chitin and chitosan, and the matrix (6) defines at least one three-dimensional tank (8). The active ingredient is contained and grafted by the ligand.

Provided herein is a method of transfecting a brain cell of a subject with a polynucleotide comprising systemically administering to the subject a composition comprising a micelle having a hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) core, a first coating comprising a cationic polymer, and a second coating comprising the polynucleotide, wherein the subject has a mild traumatic brain injury.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of addictive cravings e.g., nicotine compounds for the treatment of nicotine cravings from tobacco use. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient.

The present invention discloses biocompatible, stable curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPION) for biomedical applications. Disclosed herein is also a simple one-pot process for the synthesis of biocompatible, stable curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in absence of a linker or binder. The curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of the present invention retains the medicinal, radical scavenging and fluorescence properties of curcumin.

An ingestible capsule (10) is provided for delivery of a drug, the capsule (10) comprises a first module (11) and a second module (12). The first module (11) has at least one drug compartment (13) for comprising an amount of the drug. The drug compartment (13) is sealed by a foil (14) with an embedded conducting heating wire (15). The second (12) module comprises electronics (18) for providing an electrical pulse to the heating wire (15) in order to open the drug compartment (13) by melting the foil (14). The first module (11) and second module (12) comprise interoperable connection means (19) for securing the first module (11) to the second module (12) such that the heating wire (15) is electronically coupled to the electronics (18).

Methods for treating various cardiovascular disorders include targeted delivery of calcium ions for permanently impairing a portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Targeted delivery may be via magnetically-targetable nanoparticles.

Ingestible devices with a relatively large payload volume or sample volume, as well as related components, systems and methods, are disclosed.

Compositions of the invention include glycoproteins, such as transferrin, and metal-based coordination complexes, which are preferably chemotherapeutic compounds and more preferably tunable photodynamic compounds. The compositions are useful as in vivo diagnostic agents, and as therapeutic agents for treating or preventing diseases including those that involve hyperproliferating cells in their etiology, such as cancer. Compositions of the invention are further capable of destroying microbial cells, such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, and destroying viruses.