Drug delivery by carbon nanotube arrays

Abstract

The invention generally relates to carbon nanotube based drug delivery methods, devices, and compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to controlled drug delivery using anchored carbon nanotube arrays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein depositing the agent to the plurality of carbon nanotubes comprises:
 (i) mixing the agent in a low surface tension solvent forming a solution of the agent;   (ii) coating the plurality of carbon nanotubes with the solution of the agent; and   (iii) drying the coated plurality of carbon nanotubes, thereby removing the solvent while leaving the agent associated with the plurality of carbon nano tubes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the low surface tension solvent is an alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol. 
     
     
         4 . An implantable drug delivery device, comprising:
 (a) an implantable device;   (b) an array of carbon nanotubes anchored on the implantable device; and   (c) an agent deposited on the array of carbon nanotubes, wherein the agent is not covalently bound to the carbon nanotubes.   
     
     
         5 . The implantable drug delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the agent is a pharmaceutical agent capable of providing a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable drug delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the agent is a diagnostic agent capable of providing a detectable signal or image indicating a biologically relevant state of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable drug delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the agent comprises an aromatic moiety. 
     
     
         8 . A method for monitoring in situ delivery of an agent, comprising:
 (a) providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes non-covalently associated thereon a pharmaceutical agent and a second agent capable of exhibiting a spatially detectable signal;   (b) placing the plurality of carbon nanotubes at a target location in the patient's body; and   (c) measuring the detectable signal exhibited from the second agent to monitor the deliver of the pharmaceutical agent in situ.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agent is a pharmaceutical agent comprises an aromatic moiety.