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Double-Walled Microspheres for Drug Delivery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Kathleen J. Pekarek
Affiliation:
Brown University, Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912
Jules S. Jacob
Affiliation:
Brown University, Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912
Edith Mathiowltz
Affiliation:
Brown University, Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912
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Abstract

Present microsphere delivery system technology consisting of a single drug dispersed within a polymer matrix has several drawbacks. One is the problem of the so-called “burst effect”. By exploiting the phenomenon of phase separation between two immiscible polymers dissolved in a mutual solvent, a double-walled microsphere could be manufactured with the second polymer coating the polymer/drug matrix. This one-step process would give a consistent coating of even very small microspheres not achievable via normal, two-step coating processes and would help to smooth out the release curve by lessening the “burst effect”. Along with solving the problem of the “burst effect”, this concept of double-walled microspheres could be used to achieve constant release of the drug over long periods of time. So far, this has only been achieved with a limited number of geometric configurations. Since every polymer has its own characteristic release rate, the release could be kept much more constant by changing the polymer type and/or properties. By combining these layers so that the release rate of one layer would complement the slowing of release due to decreased surface area or increased diffusion distances.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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