Layered silicate nanoparticles for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents from medical articles

Abstract

Medical articles (for instance, a drug delivery patch or an implantable or insertable medical device) are provided that comprise a release region, which in turn comprises (a) polymeric carrier comprising a polymer (for instance, a hydrophobic polymer) and (b) drug loaded nanoparticles, which are dispersed within the polymeric carrier. The drug loaded nanoparticles comprise a layered silicate material (for instance synthetic or naturally occurring smectite clay nanoparticles) and a therapeutic agent (for instance, a hydrophilic or hydrophobic therapeutic agent). Also described are methods of releasing a therapeutic agent to a patient using such medical articles, and methods of making such medical articles.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.