Liposome Preparation Without Organic Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing liposomes often rely on the use of organic solvents, proteins, and heat, which are undesirable due to toxicity, flammability, and environmental concerns, as well as increased production costs and safety risks, and result in unstable formulations.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing liposomes without the use of heat, organic solvents, proteins, and inorganic salts, involving the combination of lipids in an aqueous medium at ambient temperature, dispersion of lipids, and addition of sugars to form liposomes, which can incorporate active agents such as pharmaceutical agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If organic solvents are used to prepare liposomes, then liposomes can be formed, but toxicity and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes organic solvents from the liposome preparation process entirely. Instead of using organic solvents to dissolve lipids before hydration, the method directly hydrates lipid films or powders with aqueous buffers, eliminating the harmful organic solvent step while maintaining liposome formation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lipid films or lipid powders as intermediaries. Lipids are first converted to a dry film or powder state, which then serves as an intermediary form that can be directly hydrated with aqueous buffers to form liposomes, bypassing the need for organic solvents.
2Ease of manufacture
If heat is used to prepare liposomes, then liposome formation is facilitated, but production costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy input with mechanical energy input. Instead of using heat to facilitate lipid hydration and liposome formation, the method uses mechanical agitation, vortexing, or extrusion through membranes to achieve the same effect at ambient temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables liposomes to form spontaneously through self-assembly of lipid molecules when hydrated with aqueous buffers at ambient temperature. The lipids naturally organize into bilayer structures without requiring external heat energy input.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods are used to prepare liposomes, then liposomes can be formed, but formulation stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation parameters by conducting the entire process at ambient temperature without organic solvents. This parameter change results in liposomes with improved stability characteristics, as they are formed without exposure to conditions that cause degradation or aggregation.
4Quantity of substance
If organic solvents are used in injectable solutions, then drugs can be solubilized, but hemolysis and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes organic solvents from injectable formulations by incorporating drugs directly into liposomes formed without organic solvents. The liposomal structure provides an alternative mechanism for drug solubilization and delivery that eliminates the need for harmful organic co-solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liposomes as intermediary carriers for drug delivery. Instead of directly dissolving drugs in organic solvents for injection, the drugs are incorporated into liposomal structures that serve as safe intermediaries, enabling drug delivery without direct exposure to harmful solvents.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods for preparing liposomes and uses thereof. In certain embodiments, liposomes are prepared without using heat, organic solvents, proteins, and/or inorganic salts in the process. In certain embodiments, the liposomal preparation contains one or more active agents. In certain embodiments, the liposomal preparations are used in the treatment of diseases or disorders.