Improved Method for Production of Highly Uniform Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

Introduction

Nanoparticles have multiple applications in tissue targeted drug delivery, non-invasive monitoring of therapeutics, and as delivery devices. They also can be used by the cosmetics, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries to synthesize controlled release particles. Current methods used to synthesize nanoparticles involve self assembly of polymers or macromolecules resulting in particles with a large distribution of size and shape. Indeed, the batch to batch variation in preparation quality is quite large. This lack of uniformity prevents the precise control of drug release kinetics and tissue targeting.

Invention Description

New methods of nanofabrication have been developed using a combination of electron beam generated templates and nanoimprint lithography methods. Nanoparticles are synthesized on silicon wafers. This method also employs therapeutic or imaging agents to entrap particles in a high throughput manner while providing precise control over the particle size and shape. A variety of polymers or materials can be used to build particles, including new enzyme-responsive hydrogels. The resulting nanoparticles are injectable nano-containers capable of releasing drugs through diffusion or degradation mechanisms. These particles can also be used as imaging modalities in response to specific physiological signals in targeted tissues. The consistency of particle size allows for predictable and uniform performance from batch to batch.

Benefits

• Provides precise control over particle size and shape
• Consistency in particle size allows for uniform performance
• Adapted for a variety of polymers and materials

Features

• Unique way to fabricate drug delivery particles
• Employs therapeutic or imaging agents
• Capable of releasing drugs through diffusion or degradation mechanisms

IP Status

One U.S. Patent Application filed

UT Researcher

• Krishnendu Roy, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
  
• Li Shi, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
  
• Luz-Cristal S. Glangehai, Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

Contact:

University os texas,
Austin, USA
Website : www.otc.utexas.edu