School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2012 Jan;23(1):81-8. doi: 10.1007/s10856-011-4508-z. Epub 2011 Nov 30.
This work reports how novel multi-layered (from double-layered to quadruple-layered) microparticles comprising immiscible polymers can be fabricated through a simple, economical, reliable and versatile one-step solvent evaporation method. These multi-layered microparticles would be excellent candidates to overcome problems inherent in single-layered microparticles for drug delivery. Particle morphologies, layer configurations, and drug distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy and Raman mapping. Key process parameters achieving the formation of the multi-layered structure were identified. Encapsulation of multiple drugs and layer localization of these drugs within these multi-layered microparticles have also shown to be possible, which were driven by drug-polymer affinity. This one-step fabrication technique can therefore be used for tailoring particle designs, thus facilitating the development of multiparticulate drug delivery devices.
本工作报道了如何通过简单、经济、可靠和通用的一步溶剂蒸发法制备包含不混溶聚合物的新型多层（从双层到四层）微粒。这些多层微粒将是克服药物传递中单层微粒固有问题的优秀候选物。通过扫描电子显微镜和拉曼映射确定了微粒形态、层结构和药物分布。确定了实现多层结构形成的关键工艺参数。还表明可以通过药物-聚合物亲和力实现多药物包封和这些药物在多层微粒内的层定位。因此，这种一步制造技术可用于定制微粒设计，从而促进多颗粒药物输送装置的开发。
