Capsules of multilayered neutral polymer films associated by hydrogen bonding - Patents

Capsules of multilayered neutral polymer films associated by hydrogen bonding

Agent: Docket Administrator Lowenstein Sandler PC - Roseland, NJ, US
Inventors: Svetlana A. Sukhishvili, Veronika Kozlovskaya, Eugenia Kharlampieva
Class: 424009600 (USPTO)
Related Patents: Drug, Bio-affecting And Body Treating Compositions, In Vivo Diagnosis Or In Vivo Testing, Diagnostic Or Test Agent Produces In Vivo Fluorescence
#20050163714
07/28/05
Micro-, and nano-scale capsules comprising neutral (uncharged) polymeric layers, layers associated by hydrogen bonding and methods for making such capsules. The capsules of the invention are layered upon a core particle using a layer-by layer-technique. The capsule walls of the capsules of the invention give a tailored response to external stimuli.
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/508,754, filed Oct. 2, 2003, entitled Hydrogen-Bonded Polymer Capsules Formed by Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly, by S. Sukhishvili et al., which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and 60/510,449, filed Oct. 10, 2003, entitled Capsules of Multilayered Neutral Polymer Films Associated by Hydrogen Bonding, by S. Sukhishvili et al., which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. FIELD
[0002] The invention is directed to capsules of multilayered neutral polymer films, wherein the uncharged layers are associated by hydrogen bonding. Particularly, the invention is directed to micro- and nano-sized capsules.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention provides capsules comprising neutral (uncharged) layers of polymers that are associated by hydrogen bonding (as opposed to electrostatic charge). Preferably, the capsules of the invention are millimeter, micrometer, or nanometer-scale capsules, more preferably, nanometer-scale capsules.
[0009] The invention also provides methods for making such capsules. The capsules of the invention are prepared by layering the neutral polymer films upon a core particle using a layer-by layer-technique. Thus, in one embodiment, the capsules of the invention comprise a core particle.
[0010] The capsules of the invention are useful to deliver the core particle or other encapsulated substance in a controlled and well-defined manner upon exposure to a particular external stimuli, such as a change in pH, salt concentration, temperature, solvent composition, application of an electric field, exposure to sunlight, or other external environmental change, depending on the specific composition of the capsules.
[0011] In contrast to electrostatic self-assembly previously used to produce multilayer capsules, the hydrogen-bonding interactions of the invention represent an advantageous alternative driving force for the layer-by-layer growth of multilayer capsules.
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