| 摘要 |
Improved polymeric devices are disclosed which slowly and gradually release drugs or other chemicals, for use as wound dressings that gradually release antibiotics, analgesics, or other useful drugs directly onto the surfaces of wounds. These polymers also provide other sustained-release devices, such as capsules that will gradually release a drug the entire time they remain in the digestive system, until the inert polymer is excreted in feces. These devices are created by reacting: (1) a hydrophilic polymer such as poly(2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate); (2) a solvent such as polyethylene glycol; (3) a plasticizing agent that promotes hydrogen bonding, such as dimethylsulfoxide in a quantity which is substantially reduced compared to prior formulations; and (4) the drug or chemical that is to be slowly released by the final device. The quantity of DMSO has been reduced from about 5%, in previously-known polymer systems, to about 0.1% in these improved devices. This reduction in DMSO content, combined with certain other improvements, doubles the shelf life from 1 year to 2 years, while also eliminating the need to refrigerate these devices until use. The improved polymers also have reduced odors, and reduced discoloration during storage. The new methods and recipes also allow the use of "curing ovens" to accelerate the curing of a liquid slurry into a solidified device. This allows faster, simpler, and more reliable and consistent manufacturing of commercial-scale quantities of these devices.
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