Methods for fabricating isolated micro- or nano-structures using soft or imprint lithography

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter describes the use of fluorinated elastomer-based materials, in particular perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based materials, in high-resolution soft or imprint lithographic applications, such as micro- and nanoscale replica molding, and the first nano-contact molding of organic materials to generate high fidelity features using an elastomeric mold. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter describes a method for producing free-standing, isolated nanostructures of any shape using soft or imprint lithography technique.

1 . A plurality of particles, each comprising:
 a therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent dispersed substantially throughout the particle, wherein ach particle of the plurality of particles has a non-spherical engineered shape defined by at least four substantially planar surfaces and a maximum cross-sectional dimension of less than about 10 micrometers, and   wherein each particle is substantially congruent relative to another particle of the plurality of particles.   
     
     
         2 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a substantially cubic shape. 
     
     
         3 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         4 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The plurality of particles of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer comprises a biodegradable or bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         7 . The plurality of particles of  claim 4 , further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         8 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in crystalline form. 
     
     
         9 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in amorphous form. 
     
     
         10 . The plurality of particles of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is a diagnostic. 
     
     
         11 . A plurality of particles, each comprising:
 a therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent dispersed substantially throughout the particle, wherein each particle of the plurality of particles has a non-spherical engineered shape defined by a cylindrical or elliptical surface with substantially planar end surfaces and a maximum cross-sectional dimension of less than about 10 micrometers, and   wherein each particle is substantially congruent relative to another particle of the plurality of particles.   
     
     
         12 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a cylindrical ellipsoid. 
     
     
         14 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The plurality of particles of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer comprises a biodegradable or bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         17 . The plurality of particles of  claim 14 , further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         18 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in crystalline form. 
     
     
         19 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in amorphous form. 
     
     
         20 . The plurality of particles of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is a diagnostic. 
     
     
         21 . A patterned template including a plurality of particles, each comprising:
 a base material;   a therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent that is dispersed substantially throughout the base material,   wherein each of the plurality of particles has a non-spherical engineered shape defined by at least one substantially planar surface and a maximum cross-sectional dimension of less than about 10 micrometers,   wherein each particle is substantially congruent relative to all other particles of the plurality of particles, and   wherein each particle of the plurality receives the non-spherical engineered shape from one or more substantially uniform recessed areas of the patterned template, the non-spherical engineered shape having a volume that substantially matches the volume of the one or more substantially uniform recessed areas.   
     
     
         22 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a substantially cubic shape. 
     
     
         23 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         24 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         25 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the non-spherical engineered shape is a cylindrical ellipsoid. 
     
     
         26 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The plurality of particles of  claim 26 , wherein the polymer comprises a bioresorbable or biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         28 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         29 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in crystalline form. 
     
     
         30 . The plurality of particles of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutically or pharmaceutically active agent is in amorphous form.