Method of administering a hormone encapsulated by a hydrogel with a dual chamber syringe

1 . A method for administering a hormone encapsulated by a hydrogel polymer with a dual chamber syringe, the method comprising:

providing a crosslinked methacrylate hyaluronic acid (MHA) polymer that encapsulates the hormone in the form of a plurality of hydrogel microparticles, wherein the crosslinked MHA polymer is the hydrogel polymer,

wherein the hormone is selected from the group consisting of testosterone, estradiol, and the combination thereof;

administering a dosage of the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone to a subcutaneous tissue with a dual chamber syringe,

wherein the dual chamber syringe includes,

a first chamber that includes the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone,

a second chamber having a diluent for the crosslinked MHA polymer,

a separator that separates the first chamber from the second chamber, wherein piercing the separator generates a mixture that includes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone, and

a plunger that forces the mixture through a needle; and

wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles are formulated to provide controlled release of the hormone over a period of at least one (1) week.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the plunger pierces the separator;

wherein the plunger forces the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone from the first chamber through the separator to the second chamber; and

wherein the plunger causes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone to mix.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the plunger pierces the separator;

wherein the plunger forces the diluent from the second chamber through the separator to the first chamber; and

wherein the plunger causes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone to mix.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the hormone is a micronized testosterone.

5 . A method for administering a hormone encapsulated by a hydrogel polymer with a dual chamber syringe, the method comprising:

providing a crosslinked methacrylate hyaluronic acid (MHA) polymer that encapsulates the hormone in the form of a plurality of hydrogel microparticles, wherein the crosslinked MHA polymer is the hydrogel polymer, wherein the hormone is selected from the group consisting of testosterone, estradiol, and the combination thereof;

administering a dosage of the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone as the plurality of hydrogel microparticles to a subcutaneous tissue with a dual chamber syringe,

wherein the dual chamber syringe includes,

a first chamber that includes the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone,

a second chamber having a diluent,

a separator that separates the first chamber from the second chamber when the separator is in a first position,

a bypass that connects the first chamber to the second chamber when the separator is in a second position, wherein moving the separator from the first position to the second position generates a mixture that includes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone, and

a plunger that forces the mixture through a needle; and

wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles are formulated to provide controlled release of the hormone over a period of at least one (1) week.

6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plunger forces the MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone from the first chamber through the bypass to the second chamber when the separator is in the second position and causes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer that encapsulates the hormone to mix.

7 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plunger forces the diluent from the second chamber through the bypass to the first chamber when the separator is in the second position and causes the diluent and the crosslinked MHA polymer encapsulates the hormone to mix.

8 . The method of claim 5 wherein the hormone is a micronized testosterone.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles are each formed by forming a core-shell microparticle comprising an outer alginate shell and a liquid core, crosslinking the liquid core with ultraviolet light, and removing the outer alginate shell with a chelating agent.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, egtazic acid, phosphates, and mixtures thereof.

11 . The method of claim 9 wherein the liquid core includes an uncrosslinked MHA mixture comprising the hormone, methacrylate hyaluronic acid, and sodium hyaluronate.

12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles have an average diameter ranging from about 100 μm to about 1400 μm.

13 . The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of hydrogel microparticles is substantially spherical in shape.

14 . The method of claim 1 wherein the controlled release of the hormone extends over a period of from one week to one month.

15 . The method of claim 1 wherein the method is for treatment of hypogonadism.

16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles are biocompatible and biodegradable.

17 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles are each formed by forming a core-shell microparticle comprising an outer alginate shell and a liquid core, crosslinking the liquid core with ultraviolet light, and removing the outer alginate shell with a chelating agent.

18 . The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of hydrogel microparticles have an average diameter ranging from about 100 μm to about 1400 μm.

19 . The method of claim 5 wherein the method is for treatment of hypogonadism.