pH-Responsive Nanovalves for On-Demand Release of Guest Molecules

Operates in aqueous media (physiological condition)Responds to low pHConsists of pseudorotaxane molecules

On-demand release of anticancer drug in cancer therapyOn-demand release of anti-microbial drugs in dental treatmentOn-demand release of anti-viral drugs in agriculture

Researchers at UCLA have invented a novel pH-responsive nanovalve system that employs biocampatible components, relies on ion-dipole interactions, and operates in aqueous media. This was achieved by filling a tiny, porous silica sphere with a drug and then plugging the pores with the valves. Applying this system, researchers can use pH changes to control a drug's release. Current nanovalves can open in locations where low pH conditions occur, such as in the lysosome of a cell, or in the acidic environment of the stomach.

Patent Number: US20100310465A1
Application Number: US2010841331A
Inventor: Zink, Jeffrey I. | Lu, Jie | Tamanoi, Fuyuhiko | Nel, Andre | Angelos, Sarah | Stoddart, Fraser | Chen, Qiaolin | Xia, Tian | Patel, Kaushik | Dichtel, William
Priority Date: 23 Jan 2008
Priority Number: US20100310465A1
Application Date: 22 Jul 2010
Publication Date: 9 Dec 2010
IPC Current: A61K000914 | A61K0031352 | A61K004900 | A61P000702 | A61P000912 | A61P002508 | A61P002702 | A61P002900 | A61P003112 | A61P003500 | A61P003706 | A61P003906 | B01J001900
US Class: 4240091 | 422105 | 424489 | 514454 | 977724
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: NANO-DEVICES HAVING RELEASABLE SEALS FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE OF MOLECULES
Usefulness: NANO-DEVICES HAVING RELEASABLE SEALS FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE OF MOLECULES
Summary: For administering at least one of biologically active substance, therapeutic substance, neutraceutical substance, cosmetic substance or diagnostic substance (claimed).
Novelty: Nanodevice to administer therapeutic comprises device with storage vessel and port(s); and stopper with blocking unit at port(s), responsive to predetermined catalytic stimulus, so that blocking unit is released to release stored material

Biomedical

Medical Device

20100310465

State Of Development

The invention has been validated in aqueous solutions.

Background

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by the dysfunction of one or more nerves. This type of pain represents a challenge in medicine because of its frequency, severity, and limited number of effective treatment options. In the USA and European countries, the prevalence of neuropathic pain is between 1.5 and 7.7% of the population. Most patients respond poorly to standard pain therapies involving pain killers. One treatment that has been used to reduce neuropathic pain is antidepressants. Antidepressants are useful, however the mechanisms are unknown and they have unwanted side effects. Therefore, there is a need to uncover how antidepressants work in neuropathic pain, which would then open up new targets to design better analgesics.

Related Materials

"Nanovalve for Drug Delivery". by Jocelyn Rice. Technology Review. March 13, 2008
"US team claims a first in nanovalves for drug delivery". in-Parma Technologist.com. March 19, 2008.
"Nano Targeted Drug Delivery". by Asaf Peer. The Future of Things. July 14, 2008

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

• Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Based siRNA/Drug Delivery System
• Magnetic Actuation of Nanoparticles for Noninvasive Remotely-Controlled Release of Drug

Tech ID/UC Case

21559/2008-374-0

Related Cases

2008-374-0

USA

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