초록

The invention relates to the production of microspheres having radial pores using thermally induced phase separation, especially microspheres for use in tissue engineering.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A microsphere produced by thermally induced phase separation, said microsphere having a single void comprising a neck connecting the void to the exterior surface of the microsphere, wherein the ratio of diameters of the neck to the microsphere is from 1:1.9 to 1:18.9, and wherein the microsphere

1. A microsphere produced by thermally induced phase separation, said microsphere having a single void comprising a neck connecting the void to the exterior surface of the microsphere, wherein the ratio of diameters of the neck to the microsphere is from 1:1.9 to 1:18.9, and wherein the microsphere further comprises radial pores. 2. A method of treating a wound, comprising filling the wound with microspheres according to claim 1. 3. The microsphere of claim 1 wherein the void is located toward the center of the microsphere. 4. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere is about 10 to 2000 μm diameter. 5. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere is less than 300 μm in diameter. 6. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the pores are between 1 and 100 μm in diameter. 7. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere includes a skin region at its surface. 8. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere is skinless. 9. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere is produced from a polymer. 10. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is pharmaceutically acceptable. 11. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is degradable. 12. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is non-degradable. 13. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is synthetic. 14. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is non-synthetic. 15. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is a combination of a synthetic polymer and a non-synthetic polymer. 16. A microsphere according to claim 9 wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 17. A microsphere according to claim 13, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a poly(α-hydroxyester), polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polyphosphazine, polypropylene fumarate, poly propylene-fumarate-co-ethylene glycol), polyethylene oxide, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), a co-polymer of PHB and PHV, and a poly(α-hydroxyester)-co-PEG copolymer. 18. A microsphere according to claim 14, wherein the polymer is fibrin. 19. A microsphere according to claim 1 wherein the microsphere contains an encapsulated additive. 20. A microsphere according to claim 19 wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of: a glass which contains NaH2PO4, CaCO3, P2O5, or Ag2SO4, a glass-ceramic which contains NaH2PO4, CaCO3, P2O5, or Ag2SO4, a ceramic which contains NaH2PO4, CaCO3, P2O5, or Ag2SO4, proteins, peptides, antibodies, antibody fragments; nucleic acids; and therapeutic agents. 21. The microsphere of claim 1 further comprising an interconnected tubular morphology oriented in a radial pattern toward the void. 22. The microsphere of claim 7 wherein the skin is about 2 μm thick and comprises pores arranged in a chevron-like pattern. 23. A microsphere produced by thermally induced phase separation, said microsphere having a single void comprising a neck connecting the void to the exterior surface of the microsphere, wherein the neck has a diameter of from 75 to 250 μm. 24. A method of treating a wound, comprising filling the wound with microspheres according to claim 23.