Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to particles for drug delivery and other applications. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a technique for reacting precursor compounds in the presence of a pharmaceutically- active agent to form product (e.g., in the form of particles) in which the agent is substantially contained within the product, and the product is soluble within typical gastric fluid of a mammal. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to particles comprising an inorganic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as CaCO 3 , and an agent. In some cases, at least some of the agent contained within the particles is fluidically inaccessible from externally of the particle. For instance, the agent may be present in isolated domains within the particle. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods of creating particles. For instance, according to one set of embodiments, two fluids containing reactants are mixed where, upon reaction of the reactants, an insoluble product is formed, which precipitates to form particles. In one example, a first fluid containing dissolved carbonate ions and a second fluid containing dissolved calcium ions and a pharmaceutically- active agent are mixed together; upon mixing of the first and second fluids, the calcium ions and the carbonate ions form calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form a co-precipitate with the pharmaceutically- active agent. Yet other aspects of the present invention are directed to particles formed from such reactions, methods of using such reactions, methods of promoting such reactions, kits involving particles, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to particles for drug delivery and other applications. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a technique for reacting precursor compounds in the presence of a pharmaceutically- active agent to form product (e.g., in the form of particles) in which the agent is substantially contained within the product, and the product is soluble within typical gastric fluid of a mammal. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to particles comprising an inorganic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as CaCO3, and an agent. In some cases, at least some of the agent contained within the particles is fluidically inaccessible from externally of the particle. For instance, the agent may be present in isolated domains within the particle. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods of creating particles. For instance, according to one set of embodiments, two fluids containing reactants are mixed where, upon reaction of the reactants, an insoluble product is formed, which precipitates to form particles. In one example, a first fluid containing dissolved carbonate ions and a second fluid containing dissolved calcium ions and a pharmaceutically- active agent are mixed together; upon mixing of the first and second fluids, the calcium ions and the carbonate ions form calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form a co-precipitate with the pharmaceutically- active agent. Yet other aspects of the present invention are directed to particles formed from such reactions, methods of using such reactions, methods of promoting such reactions, kits involving particles, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for using particle templating, e.g., to produce composites, discrete particles, or the like. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the production of particles using the interstitial spaces between templating elements in a template structure. For example, a plurality of templating elements, which can include colloidal particles, may be arranged to form a template structure. The interstices of the templating elements can provide regions in which a fluid may be introduced. The fluid may be hardened (e.g., solidified) in some cases, e.g., to form a composite comprising the templating elements and the interstitial segments. In certain embodiments, the template structure may then be broken down to release the hardened fluid, e.g., as a plurality of discrete particles.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for using particle templating, e.g., to produce composites, discrete particles, or the like. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the production of particles using the interstitial spaces between templating elements in a template structure. For example, a plurality of templating elements, which can include colloidal particles, may be arranged to form a template structure. The interstices of the templating elements can provide regions in which a fluid may be introduced. The fluid may be hardened (e.g., solidified) in some cases, e.g., to form a composite comprising the templating elements and the interstitial segments. In certain embodiments, the template structure may then be broken down to release the hardened fluid, e.g., as a plurality of discrete particles.