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AssigneeMassachusettes Institute of Technology
InventorsRuxandra Gref, Yoshiharu Minamitake, Robert S. Langer
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Injectable nanoparticles or microparticles are provided that are not rapidly cleared from the blood stream by the macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, and that can be modified as necessary to achieve variable release rates or to target specific cells or organs as desired. The terminal hydroxyl group of the poly(alkylene glycol) can be used to covalently attach onto the surface of the injectable particles biologically active molecules, including antibodies targeted to specific cells or organs, or molecules affecting the charge, lipophilicity or hydrophilicity of the particle. The surface of the particle can also be modified by attaching biodegradable polymers of the same structure as those forming the core of the injectable particles. The injectable particles include magnetic particles or radioopaque materials for diagnostic imaging.
A microparticle or nanoparticle comprising an imaging agent and a copolymer consisting essentially of poly(alkylene glycol) and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyanhydride, polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polysiloxanes, polycaprolactone, poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and copolymers prepared from the monomers of these polymers, wherein an effective amount of the poly(alkylene glycol) is on the surface of the particles to decrease uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.
A method for making nanoparticles or microparticle comprising combining together imaging agent and a copolymer consisting essentially of poly(alkylene glycol) and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyanhydride, polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters other than the homopolymer of lactic acid, polysiloxanes, polycaprolactone, poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and copolymers prepared from the monomers of these polymers, and forming nanoparticles or microparticles, wherein an effective amount of the poly(alkylene glycol) is on the surface of the particles to decrease uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.
A method for imaging a region in a patient comprising administering to the patient nanoparticles or microparticles comprising an imaging agent and a copolymer consisting essentially of poly(alkylene glycol) and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyanhydride, polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polysiloxanes, polycaprolactone, poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and copolymers prepared from the monomers of these polymers, wherein an effective amount of the poly(alkylene glycol) is on the surface of the particles to decrease uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.