News and Events
Fall 2009 Seminars
The Role of Phase Inversion in the Formation and Release Characteristics
of Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Anthony J. McHugh
Department of Chemical Engineering
Lehigh University
Thursday, October 1, 2009
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
102 Chemistry Building
Abstract
Controlled release delivery devices based on polymer carriers are ubiquitous in the drug delivery industry. These include injectable solutions and microparticle suspensions, pills, melt extruded systems, and
coated implant devices. Competing challenges in the formulation of a successful delivery platform are the need for high drug loading (DL) for sustained release over extended periods, and avoidance of
so-called “burst effects” (rapid initial release rates). Our research has focused on the study of delivery systems where the polymer carrier phase is formed by phase inversion which involves quenching a
solution of the polymer, solvent, additives, and drug either in-situ or in-vivo.
The goal has been to quantify the interplay of drug, polymer and solvent properties with the dynamics and thermodynamics of thephase inversion to optimize the formation of desirable drug-encapsulating membrane structures. We have investigated both biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers and various model drugs. Our studies utilize characterization techniques such as electron microscopy and scanning calorimetry combined with dissolution release experiments to quantify the release kinetics. The latter are quantified using standard and modified diffusive-release models.