Fully or partially biodegradable device for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Present invention provides fully or partially biodegradable device for controlled delivery of drugs. In one embodiment, the present invention relates provides biodegradable device for controlled delivery of drugs, the device having micro or nano beads with a biodegradable shell and a core that contains a drug. The beads are enclosed in a skin or barrier layer that controls the flow of the drug from the biodegradable device to a region outside of the biodegradable device, wherein the beads are embedded in a biodegradable polymer matrix or a biodegradable foam or both. The biodegradable polymer matrix, biodegradable foam and/or the skin or barrier layer has a defined pore size such that physical movement of a droplet is restrained and free flow through serum but not through blood cells.

1 . A device for controlled delivery of drugs, comprising micro or nano beads having a biodegradable shell and a core that contains a drug, wherein the beads are enclosed in a skin or barrier layer that controls the flow of the drug from the biodegradable device to a region outside of the biodegradable device. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the beads are embedded in a biodegradable polymer matrix 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the biodegradable polymer matrix comprises a biodegradable sol-gel or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the beads are embedded in a biodegradable foam. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the skin or barrier layer comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable shell comprises a biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least partially the device is biodegradable if the device is not implanted within a body of a human or an animal. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is substantially biodegradable if the device is implanted within a body of a human or an animal such that the device does not have to be removed from the body. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a time for biodegradability of the beads is shorter than a time for biodegradability of the polymer matrix in which the beads are embedded, and the time for biodegradability of the polymer matrix is shorter than a time for biodegradability of the skin or barrier layer surrounding the polymer matrix. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein a time for biodegradability of the beads is shorter than a time for biodegradability of the foam in which the beads are embedded, and in turn the time for biodegradability of the foam is shorter than a time for biodegradability of the skin or barrier layer surrounding the foam. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising:
 a shell comprising a first material and a second material, wherein the second material comprises a biodegradable material;   a core comprising a pharmaceutically effective composition, the core being enclosed by the shell;   wherein the first material is distributed in a matrix of the biodegradable material;   wherein the first material is configured to create holes in the shell;   wherein the holes allow the pharmaceutically effective composition to be released to the exterior of the shell through the holes.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first material comprises a metal-containing material that forms the holes in the shell or a biodegradable material that degrades over time. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the metal-containing material is configured to form holes in the shell, before or after implanting or attaching the device in or on a body of a human or an animal, when the shell is exposed to an external stimulus. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the metal-containing material comprises metallic particles. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the metallic component comprises an iron-containing or manganese-containing material, or an iron-containing or manganese-containing polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the metallic particles comprise iron-containing or manganese-containing particles, or an iron-containing or manganese-containing polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the pharmaceutically effective composition comprises a targeting material or targeting molecule that binds to a certain organ, object or a specific site within a body of a human or an animal. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second materials comprise polymers. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the first material comprises poly lactic acid (PLA) or an iron-containing polymer and the second biodegradable material comprises poly ε-caprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the core comprises an emulsion or beads of the pharmaceutically effective composition and a polymer.