Triblock copolymer hollow particles for agent delivery by permeability change
US6616946B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S530/817
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Polymeric hollow particles for delivery of an agent are provided that change permeability in response to a change in an external stimulus such as pH, temperature, light, ionic strength, electric field, magnetic field and/or solvent composition. The particles can have a shell formed of an amphiphilic triblock ABA or BAB copolymer, where A is a hydrophilic block and B is a hydrophobic block. Low permeability particles with a reversibly permeable shell expand and increase permeability in response to a stimulus so that an active agent such as a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent can be introduced. Removing the stimulus allows the particles to return to a low permeability state to form particles loaded with the active agent. Surfaces of the particles can be modified with specific ligands that allow the particles to be directed to a specific target via molecular recognition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.