摘要:
It has been discovered that the incorporation of gases, especially fluorinated gases such as perfluorocarbons, into microparticles formed from the combination of a natural or synthetic polymer and lipid have significantly enhanced echogenicity as compared with microparticles not including the lipid. Compounds other than lipids which are hydrophobic and limit the penetration and/or uptake of water into the microparticles can also be incorporated into the microparticles to enhance echogenicity. In the preferred embodiment, the polymers are synthetic biodegradable polymers. The microparticles are manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, with a diameter of between 0.5 and 8 microns for intravascular administration, and a diameter of between 0.5 and 5 mm for oral administration for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract or other lumens. Preferred polymers are polyhydroxy acids such as polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid, most preferably conjugated to polyethylene glycol or other materials inhibiting uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The most preferred lipids are phospholipids, preferably dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), diarachidoylphosphatidylcholine (DAPC), dibehenoylphosphatidylcholine (DBPC), ditricosanoylphosphatidylcholine, dilignoceroylphatidylcholine (DLPC), incorporated at a ratio of between 0.01-30 (w lipid/w polymer), most preferably between 0.1-10 (w lipid/w polymer). Microparticles for imaging using other detectable agents can be similarly manufactured.
摘要:
A composition, and methods of forming and using said composition, for the sustained release of non-aggregated, biologically active, erythropoietin (EPO). The sustained release composition of this invention comprises a polymeric matrix of a biocompatible polymer and particles of biologically active, aggregation-stabilized EPO, wherein said particles are dispersed within the biocompatible polymer. The method of the invention for producing a composition for the sustained release of biologically active EPO, includes dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a polymer solvent to form a polymer solution, dispersing particles of biologically active, aggregation-stabilized EPO in the polymer solution, and then solidifying the polymer to form a polymeric matrix containing a dispersion of said EPO particles. The method for using a composition of the invention is a method for providing a therapeutically effective blood level of biologically active, non-aggregated erythropoietin in a subject for a sustained period. In this method, a subject is administered an effective dose of the sustained release composition of the present invention.
摘要:
A method is provided for making an oral dosage form of a pharmaceutical agent which includes the steps of (a) providing particles which include a pharmaceutical agent; (b) blending the particles with particles of a pre-processed excipient to form a primary blend, wherein the pre-processed excipient is prepared by (i) dissolving a bulking agent (e.g., a sugar) and at least one non-friable excipient (e.g., a waxy or liquid surfactant) in a solvent to form an excipient solution, and (ii) removing the solvent from the excipient solution to form the pre-processed excipient in dry powder form; (c) milling the primary blend to form a milled pharmaceutical formulation blend that includes microparticles or nanoparticles of the pharmaceutical agent; and (d) processing the milled pharmaceutical formulation blend into a solid oral dosage form or liquid suspension for oral administration. The process yields formulations having improved wettability or dispersibility.
摘要:
Clinical studies have been conducted and specific dosage formulations developed using polymeric microparticles having incorporated therein perfluorocarbon gases that provide significantly enhanced images of long duration. The dosage formulation includes microparticles formed of a biocompatible polymer, preferably including a lipid incorporated therein, and containing a perfluorocarbon that is a gas at body temperature. The microparticles are provided to a patient in an amount effective to enhance ultrasound imaging in the ventricular chambers for more than 5 minutes or in the mycocardium for more than a minute, in a dose ranging from 0.025 to 8.0 mg microparticles/kg body weight. Preferably the dose ranges from 0.05 to 4.0 mg microparticles/kg body weight. The dosage formulation typically is provided in a vial. A typical formulation is in the form of a dry powder that is reconstituted with sterile water prior to use by adding the water to the vial or syringe of the dry powder and shaking to yield an isosmotic or isotonic suspension of microparticles.
摘要:
It has been discovered microparticles formed from natural or synthetic polymer with thicker walls have significantly enhanced echogenicity as compared with microparticles having thinner walls. The effect of wall thickness has been determined experimentally as well as inserted into a formula for use in predicting the optimum conditions. In the preferred embodiment, the polymers are synthetic biodegradable polymers and the wall thickness is between about 100 and 660 nm, although wall thicknesses from about 20 nm to in excess of 500 nm can be used. The microparticles are manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, with a diameter of between 0.5 and 8 microns for intravascular administration, and a diameter of between 0.5 and 5 mm for oral administration for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract or other lumens. Preferred polymers are polyhydroxy acids such as polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid, polylactide or polyglycolide, most preferably conjugated to polyethylene glycol or other materials inhibiting uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The microspheres may be used in a variety of ultrasound imaging applications including cardiology applications, blood perfusion applications as well as for organ and peripheral vein imaging.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a composition for the modulated release of a biologically active agent. The composition comprises a biocompatible polymeric matrix, a biologically active agent which is dispersed within the polymeric matrix, and a metal cation component which is separately dispersed within the polymeric matrix, whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix. The present invention also relates to a method for modulating the release of a biologically active agent from a biocompatible polymeric matrix, comprising the steps of dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a solvent to form a polymer solution and also separately dispersing a metal cation component and a biologically active agent within the polymer solution. The polymer solution is then solidified to form a polymeric matrix, wherein at least a significant portion of the metal cation component is dispersed in the polymeric matrix separately from the biologically active protein, and whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix.
摘要:
Biodegradable, protein microspheres for in vivo release of a biologically active agent, as well as agricultural and environmental applications. The microspheres can be administered orally, intravenously, or subcutaneously for subsequent release. By selecting particular size ranges and the specific protein used to form the microsphere, it is possible to target the microspheres to a cell types such as macrophages, or to effect localized absorption of the microspheres to regions such as the mucosal membranes of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or urogenital areas. Larger forms of the microspheres can also be made using standard techniques of the desirable degradation properties.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a composition for the modulated release of a biologically active agent. The composition comprises a biocompatible polymeric matrix, a biologically active agent which is dispersed within the polymeric matrix, and a metal cation component which is separately dispersed within the polymeric matrix, whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix. The present invention also relates to a method for modulating the release of a biologically active agent from a biocompatible polymeric matrix, comprising the steps of dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a solvent to form a polymer solution and also separately dispersing a metal cation component and a biologically active agent within the polymer solution. The polymer solution is then solidified to form a polymeric matrix, wherein at least a significant portion of the metal cation component is dispersed in the polymeric matrix separately from the biologically active protein, and whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix.
摘要:
A composition, and methods of forming and using said composition, for the sustained release of biologically active, stabilized human growth hormone (hGH). The sustained release composition of this invention comprises a polymeric matrix of a biocompatible polymer and particles of biologically active, stabilized hGH, wherein said particles are dispersed within the biocompatible polymer. The method of the invention for producing a composition for the sustained release of biologically active hGH, includes dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a polymer solvent to form a polymer solution, dispersing particles of biologically active, stabilized hGH in the polymer solution, and then solidifying the polymer to form a polymeric matrix containing a dispersion of said hGH particles. The method for using a composition of the invention is a method for providing a therapeutically effective blood level of biologically active, non-aggregated hGH in a subject for a sustained period. In this method, a subject is administered an effective dose of the sustained release composition of the present invention. The method of using the sustained release composition of the present invention comprises providing a therapeutically effective blood level of biologically active, non-aggregated human growth hormone in a subject for a sustained period by administering to the subject a dose of said sustained release composition.
摘要:
Protein microspheres are formed by phase separation in a non-solvent followed by solvent removal. The preferred proteins are prolamines, such as zein, that are hydrophobic, biodegradable, and can be modified proteolytically or chemically to endow them with desirable properties, such as a selected degradation rate. Composite microspheres can be prepared from a mixture of proteins or a mixture of proteins with one or more bioerodible polymeric materials, such as polylactides. Protein coatings can also be made. Compounds are readily incorporated into the microspheres for subsequent release. The process does not involve agents which degrade most labile proteins. The microspheres have a range of sizes and multiple applications, including drug delivery and delayed release of pesticides, fertilizers, and agents for environmental cleanup. Selection of microsphere size in the range of less than five microns and mode of administration can be used to target the microparticles to the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, or to the mucosal membranes of the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. Larger implants formed from the microspheres can also be utilized, especially for agricultural applications.