초록 ▼

In one embodiment, the solvent is removed from a polymer solution/drug mixture by freezing the polymer solution/drug mixture and extracting the solvent from the resulting solid polymer solution/drug matrix. The polymer can be a biocompatible polymer, such as poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid). The d

In one embodiment, the solvent is removed from a polymer solution/drug mixture by freezing the polymer solution/drug mixture and extracting the solvent from the resulting solid polymer solution/drug matrix. The polymer can be a biocompatible polymer, such as poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid). The drug can be a labile drug, such as a protein, or a polynucleotide. Another embodiment of the present invention includes the polymer/drug matrix microparticles which are formed by the method outlined above. A further embodiment of the present invention includes a method for producing an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass, comprising the steps of (1) forming a polymer solution/drug mixture comprising a polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a suspended labile drug; (2) removing the solvent from the polymer solution/drug mixture, thereby forming a solid polymer/drug matrix; and (3) mechanically compressing the polymer/drug matrix, thereby forming an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for forming non-spherical polymer/drug matrix microparticles of irregular shape, wherein the drug is a labile drug, comprising a sequence of steps consisting essentially of the steps of:(a) forming a polymer solution/drug mixture comprising a polymer dissolved in

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for forming non-spherical polymer/drug matrix microparticles of irregular shape, wherein the drug is a labile drug, comprising a sequence of steps consisting essentially of the steps of:(a) forming a polymer solution/drug mixture comprising a polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a suspended drug which is substantially insoluble in the organic solvent;(b) removing the solvent from the polymer solution/drug mixture, thereby forming a solid polymer/drug matrix; and(c) fragmenting the polymer/drug matrix by pulverizing, grinding or milling said matrix at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polymer/drug matrix, thereby forming non-spherical polymer/drug matrix microparticles.