Microparticles, blood substitute and method for forming same

Abstract

A method for forming microparticles is provided. The method includes the steps of: —providing a first solution which includes at least an anion; —providing a second solution which includes at least a cation; —mixing the first solution with the second solution in presence of at least a first compound for forming porous templates, wherein the porous templates are formed by precipitation of a salt which includes the anion and the cation and wherein the first compound is at least partially incorporated in the porous templates; and—at least partially cross-linking the first compound in the porous templates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Micro-particles, comprising:
 at least a first compound which is at least partially cross-linked; and   a porous or spongy polymer network structure which is formed at least by the cross-linked first compound.   
     
     
         2 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro-particles have a size of at least 20 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The microparticles according to  claim 2 , wherein the microparticles have a size of at least 100 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The microparticles according to  claim 3 , wherein the microparticles have a size of at least 500 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro-particles have a size of less than 50 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The microparticles according to  claim 5 , wherein the microparticles have a size of less than 20 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The microparticles according to  claim 6 , wherein the microparticles have a size of less than 5 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The microparticles according to  claim 6 , wherein the microparticles have a size of from 100 nm to 5 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The microparticles according to  claim 8 , wherein the microparticles have a size from 500 nm to 5 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second compound, wherein said second compound is cross-linked. 
     
     
         11 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and/or said second compound is selected from the group comprising polymers, proteins, nano-particles, pharmaceutical active compounds, nutrition supplements, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and/or said second compound is selected from the group comprising haemeproteins, haemoglobin, myoglobin, albumin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shell encapsulating a core, wherein said shell and said core are comprised of different cross-linked compounds. 
     
     
         14 . The micro-particles according to  claim 13 , wherein said shell and said core are comprised of different enzymes. 
     
     
         15 . The micro-particles according to  claim 1 , further comprising an outer coating. 
     
     
         16 . A blood-substitute, comprising:
 micro-particles comprising a porous or spongy polymer network structure, wherein said porous or spongy polymer network structure is formed at least by cross-linked haemoglobin.   
     
     
         17 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 16 , wherein the micro-particles have a mean size of at least 500 nm. 
     
     
         18 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 16 , wherein said polymer network structure formed by the cross-linked haemoglobin has a molecular weight of at least 560 kDa. 
     
     
         19 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 16 , further comprising a physiological solution in which the micro-particles are dispersed. 
     
     
         20 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 16 , wherein the micro-particles have a mean size of at least 1 μm. 
     
     
         21 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 20 , wherein the micro-particles have a mean size of from about 1 μm to about 5 μm. 
     
     
         22 . The blood-substitute according to  claim 16 , wherein said polymer network structure further comprises cross-linked haemeproteins, cross-linked myoglobin, cross-linked albumin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         23 . A kit, comprising:
 a dry powder of cross-linked haemoglobin micro-particles; and   a physiological solution.   
     
     
         24 . The kit according to  claim 23 , wherein said micro-particles have a size of at least 500 nm.