In situ activation of microcapsules

US6099864A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Dennis R. Morrison · Kemah, US
• Benjamin Mosier · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 8, 2000
• Expiry date: May 15, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2984
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed are microcapsules comprising a polymer shell enclosing two or more immiscible liquid phases in which a drug, or a prodrug and a drug activator are partitioned into separate phases, or prevented from diffusing out of the microcapsule by a liquid phase in which the drug is poorly soluble. Also disclosed are methods of using the microcapsules for in situ activation of drugs, where upon exposure to an appropriate energy source the internal phases mix and the drug is activated in situ.