Document Type

Patent

Publication Date

May 2013

Patent Number

8435558

Abstract

A method of targeted drug delivery and imaging using nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) in combination with ultrasound is presented. Niosomes have potential applications in targeted drug delivery and imaging because of their ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents and their enhanced uptake by physiological membranes. The niosomes may be administered to the subject via catheter. Ultrasound may be used to mediate delivery non-invasively by altering the niosome membrane structure. Niosomes composed of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (Tween 61), cholesterol, and dicetyl phosphate were synthesized via a thin film hydration technique and used for encapsulation studies. Carboxyfluorescein dye (CF) was used as a drug model to demonstrate delivery. The amount of dye in the niosomes, the concentration of the vesicles, and their mean particle size after each 5 minute incremental exposure to ultrasound was monitored. It was found that ultrasound at specific frequencies can reversibly permeabilize the lipid membrane of niosomes to allow the controlled release of a compound without destroying the niosome structure.

Application Number

13/185,100

Assignees

University of South Florida

Filing Date

07/18/2011

Primary/U.S. Class

424/450

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