Microparticles comprising pcl and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for preparing PCL-comprising microparticles, to microparticles obtainable by said process, to gel hence obtained and to several uses of the gel such as for the preparation of a medicament for treating a skin abnormality or disfigurement, and/or for controlling bladder function and/or controlling gastric reflux and/or for treating erectile dysfunction and/or for treating vocal cords. The gel may also be used for cosmetic applications.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A process for preparing polycaprolactone (PCL)-comprising microparticles, wherein the process comprises:
 (a) solubilizing a PCL polymer in a solvent to form a PCL polymer solution,   (b) mixing the PCL polymer solution with a liquid comprising a surfactant, said liquid having a viscosity between about 20 and about 10,000 cP,   (c) forming PCL-comprising microparticles from the solution.   
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the viscosity is between about 40 and about 1,000 cP. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein the viscosity is between about 75 and about 300 cP. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises a halogen containing compound. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein the solvent is dichloromethane. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the forming step comprises extracting the solvent from the PCL-comprising microparticles dispersed in the liquid by extraction evaporation. 
     
     
         22 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the surfactant is methyl cellulose. 
     
     
         23 . The process according to  claim 22 , wherein the methyl cellulose has a Mn between 41000 and 88000. 
     
     
         24 . The process according to  claim 22 , wherein the methyl cellulose has a concentration between about 0.5 and about 2.5 w/w %. 
     
     
         25 . The process according to  claim 24 , wherein the methyl cellulose has a concentration between about 0.8 and about 1.1 w/w %. 
     
     
         26 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the PCL polymer is a linear polymer, a copolymer, a terpolymer or a blend of different types of homo/co/ter-polymers. 
     
     
         27 . PCL-comprising microparticles having:
 i) a diameter between 5 and 200 μm,   ii) homogenous density, form and content,   iii) essentially spherical and smooth surfaces, and   iv) optionally, an active ingredient.   
     
     
         28 . The microparticles according to  claim 27 , wherein the PCL-comprising polymer does not comprise a second monomer selected from the group consisting of glycolide, dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate and the lactides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The microparticles according to  claim 27 , wherein the PCL-comprising polymer is a PCL homopolymer. 
     
     
         30 . A biodegradable, injectable gel comprising microparticles according to  claim 27 . 
     
     
         31 . The gel according to  claim 30 , comprising an anesthetic as the active ingredient. 
     
     
         32 . The gel according to  claim 30 , which is an implant or a filler. 
     
     
         33 . A medicament comprising (1) an active ingredient and (2) microparticles having:
 i) a diameter between 5 and 200 μm,   ii) homogenous density, form and content,   iii) essentially spherical and smooth surfaces.   
     
     
         34 . The medicament according to  claim 33  which is a cosmetic. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a skin abnormality or disfigurement, for controlling bladder function, for controlling gastric reflux, for treating erectile dysfunction, and/or for treating vocal cords, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a biodegradable, injectable gel comprising microparticles according to  claim 27 .