Polyphosphazene delivery system for inorganic nanocrystals
AssigneesThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, The Penn State Research Foundation
InventorsDavid Peter Cormode, Peter Chhour, Andrew Tsourkas, Harry Allcock, Rabe'e Cheheltani
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Abstract
Nanoclusters comprising inorganic nanocrystals and a biodegradable polymer are disclosed. The inorganic nanocrystals have a mean particle size of 1 to 500 nm. The inorganic nanocrystals are contained within a core of the nanoclusters, on the surface of the nanoclusters, contained within a core of the nanoclusters, dispersed throughout the nanoclusters, or a combination thereof. The biodegradable polymer allows the inorganic nanocrystals to be excreted renally over a period of time. The nanoclusters can be used for medical imaging or other biomedical applications.
Claims9
A nanocluster comprising:
- a plurality of hydrophilic inorganic nanocrystals, each comprising:
- a gold nanocrystal having a mean size of about 5 nm or less;
- and
- a first hydrophilic ligand coating selected from the group consisting of:
- 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, glutathione and citrate;
- a hydrophilic biodegradable polymer encapsulating the plurality of hydrophilic inorganic nanocrystals, wherein:
- the hydrophilic biodegradable polymer is adapted to degrade over time by hydrolysis;
- and
- the hydrophilic biodegradable polymer is polyphosphazene;
- and
- a second ligand coating the surface of the hydrophilic biodegradable polymer, wherein the second ligand is PEG;
- wherein the nanocluster has a mean size in the range of from about 10 nm to about 300 nm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.