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:
May. 30, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2000
Howard Bernstein, Cambridge, MA (US);
Donald Chickering, Framingham, MA (US);
Sarwat Khattak, Cambridge, MA (US);
Julie Straub, Winchester, MA (US);
Howard Bernstein, Cambridge, MA (US);
Donald Chickering, Framingham, MA (US);
Sarwat Khattak, Cambridge, MA (US);
Julie Straub, Winchester, MA (US);
Acusphere, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
A lipid or other hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound (collectively referred to herein as 'hydrophobic compounds') is integrated into a polymeric matrix for drug delivery to alter drug release kinetics. In embodiments where the drug is water soluble, the drug is released over longer periods of time as compared to release from the polymeric matrix not incorporating the hydrophobic compound into the polymeric material. In contrast to methods in which a surfactant or lipid is added as an excipient, the hydrophobic compound is actually integrated into the polymeric matrix, thereby modifying the diffusion of water into the microparticle and diffusion of solubilized drug out of the matrix. The integrated hydrophobic compound also prolongs degradation of hydrolytically unstable polymers forming the matrix, further delaying release of encapsulated drug.