The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1995
Michel Schneider, Troinex, CH;
Philippe Bussat, Collonges-sous-Saleve, FR;
Bracco Research S.A., Carouge, CH;
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 microcapsules from debris and the semi-spherical or spherical microcapsules are dried.