Preparation of hollow microcapsules by spray-drying an aqueous solution of a wall-forming material and a water-miscible solvent
US5741478A · kind A · utility
53Cited by
50References
14Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K49/223
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for forming microcapsules comprising (i) providing a solution of a protein in an aqueous solvent and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules, characterised in that the aqueous solution contains a liquid of greater volatility than water. The protein is preferably albumin and the volatile liquid is preferably ethanol. The microcapsules may be used as ultrasound echogenic contrast agents.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.