Polymeric nanocarriers with light-triggered release mechanism

Abstract

Near infrared radiation at a wavelength that induces resonance in water is used to remotely activate thermal plasticization of polymeric particles to trigger the release of encapsulated molecules from the particles. Nanocarriers formed from biocompatible hydrophilic polymers may be used to deliver encapsulated molecules to tissue with a reversible transition that allows repeated activations for extended release of the payload.

1 . A nanocarrier for delivering a payload, comprising:
 a polymer particle adapted for encapsulating molecules, wherein the polymer comprises nanodomains of water and undergoes a phase change upon irradiation with NIR light that allows at least a portion of the encapsulated molecules to diffuse out of the particle.   
     
     
         2 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change is reversible. 
     
     
         3 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the NIR light has a wavelength of 980 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer has no inherent light sensitivity. 
     
     
         5 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). 
     
     
         6 . The nanocarrier of  claim 5 , wherein the PLGA has a lactide:glycolide ratio selected according to a desired release rate. 
     
     
         7 . The nanocarrier of  claim 5 , wherein the lactide:glycolide ratio is selected from the group consisting of 50:50, 75:25, and 85:15. 
     
     
         8 . The nanocarrier of  claim 5 , wherein the PLGA has a lactide:glycolide ratio selected according to a desired particle size. 
     
     
         9 . The nanocarrier of  claim 8 , wherein the lactide:glycolide ratio is selected from the group consisting of 50:50, 75:25, and 85:15. 
     
     
         10 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulated molecules comprise a therapeutic compound. 
     
     
         11 . The nanocarrier of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulated molecules comprise a dye. 
     
     
         12 . An aggregation of nanocarriers of  claim 1  for delivery of the payload over an extended period of time. 
     
     
         13 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for delivering a payload, comprising:
 encapsulating the payload in a nanocarrier comprising a hydrophilic polymer having no inherent light sensitivity;   hydrating the polymer to form nanodomains of water;   exposing the nanocarrier to light having a wavelength adapted to induce resonant photon interactions with the water to locally heat the polymer to induce a phase change in the polymer whereby the payload diffuses out of the nanocarrier.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the light is NIR light having a wavelength of 980 nm. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the polymer is poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the PLGA has a lactide:glycolide ratio selected according to a desired release rate. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the lactide:glycolide ratio is selected from the group consisting of 50:50, 75:25, and 85:15. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the PLGA has a lactide:glycolide ratio selected according to a desired particle size. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the lactide:glycolide ratio is selected from the group consisting of 50:50, 75:25, and 85:15. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the payload comprises a therapeutic compound. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the payload comprises a dye. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising forming an aggregation of nanocarriers for delivery of the payload over an extended period of time.