Delivery systems

Abstract

Disclosed herein are delivery systems including coated and uncoated yarns, yarn precursors, threads, fibers, and other substrates for the constant or near-constant release of active compounds, as well as methods for manufacturing such delivery systems. The yarns, yarn precursors, threads, fibers, and other substrates can include a cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer and an active compound. One or more coatings that are impermeable or substantially impermeable to the active compound may partially or fully occlude the yarn or substrate to control release rates of the active compound. The delivery systems may be used in a variety of applications, including the making of articles of clothing, textiles, and fabrics, and may be used in methods of treating various conditions and diseases.

1 . A drug delivery system, comprising:
 a core comprising:
 at least one of a yarn, a yarn precursor, a thread, and a fiber, 
 a cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer; and 
 an active compound, wherein the active compound is dispersed in the cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer; and 
   a coating that coats one or more segments of the core, wherein the coating is impermeable to the active compound.   
     
     
         2 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyanhydrides, polyisobutylene, elastin, polyisoprene, chloroprene, neoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, fluoroelastomers, polyether block amides, ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA), poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene), styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic copolyesters, and thermoplastic polyamides. 
     
     
         3 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the active compound is selected from an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antifungal, an antiseptic, an astringent, a vasodilator, a rubefacient, a ceramide, an emollient, a dermoprotective, a lipolytic, an epithelializing compound, a local anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory, a nutraceutical, a resiniferatoxin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the system exhibits zero-order or near-zero-order release of the active compound. 
     
     
         7 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises one or more coated segments of the core and one or more non-coated segments of the core, and wherein the ratio of the length of the one or more coated segments of the core to the length of the one or more non-coated segments of the core is greater than at least one of one, four, and nine. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises one or more coated segments of the core and one or more non-coated segments of the core, and wherein the one or more coated segments of the core and the one or more non-coated segments of the core alternate along a length of the core. 
     
     
         11 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, paints, lacquers, varnishes, primers, stains, shellacs, sealants, and enamels. 
     
     
         12 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises one coated segment of the core comprising a first coating material and another coated segment of the core comprising a second coating material, wherein the first coating material is different from the second coating material. 
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer sheath. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer and the active compound are extruded with the at least one of a yarn, a yarn precursor, a thread, and a fiber. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for administering an active compound to a skin surface of a mammal comprising:
 contacting the skin surface of the mammal with the drug delivery system of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for manufacturing a drug delivery system of  claim 1  comprising:
 combining at least one of a yarn, a yarn precursor, a thread, and a fiber with a fluid comprising (i) at least one of an elastomer and one or more monomers and (ii) an active compound; 
 cross-linking the elastomer or polymerizing and cross-linking the one or more monomers to form the cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer of the core; and 
 applying a coating to one or more segments of the core such that the system comprises one or more coated segments of the core and one or more non-coated segments of the core, wherein the coating impermeable to the active compound. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the elastomer is cross-linked via humidity, elevated temperature, or irradiation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyanhydrides, polyisobutylene, elastin, polyisoprene, chloroprene, neoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, fluoroelastomers, polyether block amides, ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA), poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene), styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic copolyesters, and thermoplastic polyamides, and wherein the coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, paints, lacquers, varnishes, primers, stains, shellacs, sealants, and enamels. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more coated segments of the core and the one or more non-coated segments of the core alternate along a length of the core. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the system exhibits zero-order or near-zero-order release of the active compound. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the ratio of the length of the one or more coated segments of the core to the length of the one or more non-coated segments of the core is greater than at least one of one, four, and nine. 
     
     
         30 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one of applying a second coating to one or more segments of the core and applying an outer sheath. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A drug delivery system, comprising:
 a yarn;   a cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer loaded into the yarn to form an elastomeric matrix;   an active compound dispersed or immobilized in the elastomeric matrix; and   a coating that coats one or more segments of the yarn, wherein the coating is substantially impermeable to the active compound.   
     
     
         36 . The drug delivery system of  claim 35 , wherein the system exhibits zero-order or near-zero-order release of the active compound.