Inventors:
Donald E. Owens - Houston TX, US
Nicholas A. Peppas - Austin TX, US
International Classification:
A61K 9/51, A61K 47/32
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to controlled drug delivery. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel device/system and extracorporeally-controlled method of drug delivery. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a system comprising a thermally-active metal nanoshell; and a temperature-responsive interpenetrating polymer network having at least one therapeutic agent disposed therein; wherein the thermally-active metal nanoshell is proximate to the temperature-responsive interpenetrating polymer network. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a particle composition comprising a thermally-active metal nanoshell and a temperature-responsive interpenetrating polymer network. A method is also provided comprising: providing a plurality of the particles; and irradiating the particles so as to effect a temperature-induced swelling of the temperature-responsive interpenetrating polymer network.