Microcapsules, method of making and their use
US6403057B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K49/223
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to microcapsules to a microcapsule with a mean size from a fraction of micrometer to 1000 micrometers having a biodegradable membrane encapsulating a gas core. The membrane comprising one or more biodegradable water insoluble lipids or mixtures thereof and optionally mixtures of the lipids with up to 75% by weight of biodegradable polymers encapsulates the core which is filled with air or a gas. Microcapsules disclosed, may be non-coalescent, dry and instantly dispersible, when in suspension in a physiologically acceptable carrier are useful as delivery vehicles for therapeutically active agents and/or as contrast agents for echographic imaging of organs of human or animal body. The microcapsules of the invention are made by a method in which a water-in-oil emulsion is made from an organic solution comprising dissolved a mono-, di-, triglyceride preferably tripalmitin or tristearin and optionally therapeutically active substance and an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, optionally evaporating part of the solvent, adding a redispersing agent and freeze drying the mixture. The freeze dried mixture is then redispersed in an aqueous carrier to separate micr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.