# US 2018/0021386 A1 · Core-shell capsules for encapsulation of particles, colloids, and cells > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021386 A1 - Document ID: US20180021386A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/720,246 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-09 - Assignees: Versitech Limited - Applicants: Versitech Limited - Inventors: Ho Cheung Shum; Yang Song - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021386A1 ## CPC - A61K 35/36: Skin; Hair; Nails; Sebaceous glands; Cerumen; Epidermis; Epithelial cells; Keratinocytes; Langerhans cells; Ectodermal cells (islets of Langerhans A61K35/39) - A61K 9/5031: {obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)} - A61K 9/5036: {Polysaccharides, e.g. gums, alginate; Cyclodextrin} - A61K 35/12: Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells (vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00) - A61K 35/22: Urine; Urinary tract, e.g. kidney or bladder; Intraglomerular mesangial cells; Renal mesenchymal cells; Adrenal gland - A61K 35/30: Nerves; Brain; Eyes; Corneal cells; Cerebrospinal fluid; Neuronal stem cells; Neuronal precursor cells; Glial cells; Oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells; Astroglia; Astrocytes; Choroid plexus; Spinal cord tissue - A61K 35/32: Bones; Osteocytes; Osteoblasts; Tendons; Tenocytes; Teeth; Odontoblasts; Cartilage; Chondrocytes; Synovial membrane - A61K 35/33: Fibroblasts - A61K 35/34: Muscles; Smooth muscle cells; Heart; Cardiac stem cells; Myoblasts; Myocytes; Cardiomyocytes (vascular smooth muscle A61K35/44) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) ## Abstract Methods for preparing capsules, such as micro- and/or nanocapsules from all-aqueous emulsions are described herein. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute with at least an optionally charged second phase containing a second solute. The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two solutions induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The droplets are then solidified to form the capsules. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-10. (canceled) ### Claim 11 Capsules comprising a core and a shell prepared by a method comprising (a) forming a coaxial jet comprising an electrically charged aqueous core phase containing a first solute and an optionally charged aqueous shell phase containing a shell forming material and a second solute which is incompatible with the first solute; (b) breaking up the jet to form core-shell structured droplets; and (c) solidifying the droplets to form the capsules. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The capsules of claim 11, wherein the core is liquid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The capsules of claim 11, wherein the shell is solid or semi-solid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The capsules of claim 11, wherein the average diameter of the capsules is from about 500 nm to about 5 mm, preferably 100 microns to 5 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A method for administering one or more therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering the capsules of claim 11. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the agent is a biomolecule, a small molecule, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the capsules are administered orally. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the capsules are administered parenterally. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A method for administering cells to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering the capsules of claim 11. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the capsules are administered parenterally. ### Claim 21 A biocompatible capsule comprising (a) a liquid core, and (b) a solid or semi-solid shell, wherein the core contains a first solute selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), dextran, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP); tripotassium phosphate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, and disodium phosphate; wherein the solid or semi-solid shell comprises a hydrogel-forming material as a second solute prior to solidification; and wherein the core, the shell, or both comprise one or more therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic agents, and/or cells. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The biocompatible capsule of claim 21, wherein the second solute is immiscible with the first solute. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The biocompatible capsule of claim 22, wherein the second solute comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG), PEG diacrylates, dextran, dextran derived with hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), sodium alginate, calcium alginate, collagen, or block copolymers comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The biocompatible capsule of claim 23, wherein the first solute is dextran and the second solute is PEG or the first solute is PEG and the second solute is dextran. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The biocompatible capsule of claim 24, wherein the molecular weight of dextran is about 500,000 Daltons and the concentration of dextran is about 5-15%. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The biocompatible capsule of claim 24, wherein the molecular weight of PEG is about 8,000-20,000 Daltons and the concentration of PEG is 8%. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The biocompatible capsule of claim 21, wherein the one or more cells comprise kerotinocytes, fibroblasts, ligament cells, endothelial cells, lung cells, epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, skeletal muscle cells, islet cells, nerve cells, hepatocytes, kidney cells, bladder cells, urothelial cells, stem or progenitor cells, neurobalstoma, chondrocytes, skin cells or bone-forming cells. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The biocompatible capsule of claim 21, wherein the core is an aqueous liquid core, the shell is a hydrogel, and the capsule is free of an organic solvent. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The biocompatible capsule of claim 21, wherein the capsule is free of a surfactant.