Self-fueled particles for propulsion through flowing aqueous fluids
AssigneesThe University of British Columbia, The General Hospital Corporation
InventorsChristian Kastrup, Ju Hun Yeon, James Baylis, Thomas Frederick Burke
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Abstract
A simple, self-propelling particle system is disclosed that can deliver a cargo through flowing aqueous solutions. This disclosure provides a non-aqueous composition comprising: (i) particles formed of a carbonate salt and having an average diameter of about 100 μm or less; and (ii) an acid in solid form. The particles may be associated with a cargo molecule or particle. In mouse models of severe hemorrhage, the propelled particles are able to deliver a procoagulant enzyme and halt bleeding.
Claims25
A method of conveying a cargo molecule or cargo particle through an aqueous fluid, the method comprising providing a non-aqueous composition comprising:
- (i) particles formed of a carbonate salt and having an average diameter of about 100 μm or less;
- and (ii) an acid in solid form, wherein the particles of (i) or (ii) are bound to or encapsulate said cargo molecule or cargo particle and the acid when dissolved in the fluid is capable of reacting with the carbonate salt to produce CO2;
- wherein the method further comprises introducing the composition into said fluid whereupon CO2 bubbles are released from the particles of (i) propelling those particles and the bound or encapsulated cargo molecule or cargo particle through the fluid;
- and wherein the acid is TXA-NH3±.
A method of conveying a cargo molecule or cargo particle through a biological fluid in vivo, the method comprising providing a non-aqueous composition comprising:
- (i) porous particles formed of CaCO3 and having an average diameter of about 100 μm or less;
- and (ii) a physiologically acceptable acid in solid form, wherein (i) is bound to or encapsulates said cargo molecule or cargo particle and the acid when dissolved in the fluid is capable of reacting with the CaCO3 to release CO2 bubbles from the particles of (i);
- wherein the method further comprises introducing the composition into the biological fluid;
- and wherein the acid is TXA-NH3±.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.