Microemulsions as precursors to solid nanoparticles
First Claim
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1. A method of making solid nanoparticles, comprising:
- making an oil-in-water microemulsion by heating, the microemulsion comprising;
a liquid nanoparticle matrix material formed by heating a solid matrix material until melted;
a surfactant or a co-surfactant or a mixture thereof, anda molecule of interest, wherein the molecule is a drug molecule;
wherein the microemulsion is formed essentially spontaneously by heating at a temperature of between about 35°
C. and about 100°
C.; and
cooling the microemulsion while stirring to form solid nanoparticles having a diameter of less than about 300 nanometers, wherein said solid nanoparticles are formed by cooling the microemulsion without aqueous dilution, and where the molecule of interest is either entrapped in or adsorbed to the solid nanoparticles.
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Abstract
The preparation of novel microemulsions to be used as precursors for solid nanoparticles is described. The microemulsion precursors consist of either alcohol-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, liquid hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, or liquid hydrocarbon-in-water microemulsions. The formed solid nanoparticles have diameters below 200 nanometers and can be made to entrap various materials including drugs, magnets, and sensors. The solid nanoparticles can be made to target different cells in the body by the inclusion of a cell-specific targeting ligand. Methods of preparing the novel microemulsion precursors and methods to cure solid nanoparticles are provided.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of making solid nanoparticles, comprising:
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making an oil-in-water microemulsion by heating, the microemulsion comprising; a liquid nanoparticle matrix material formed by heating a solid matrix material until melted; a surfactant or a co-surfactant or a mixture thereof, and a molecule of interest, wherein the molecule is a drug molecule; wherein the microemulsion is formed essentially spontaneously by heating at a temperature of between about 35°
C. and about 100°
C.; andcooling the microemulsion while stirring to form solid nanoparticles having a diameter of less than about 300 nanometers, wherein said solid nanoparticles are formed by cooling the microemulsion without aqueous dilution, and where the molecule of interest is either entrapped in or adsorbed to the solid nanoparticles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification