Ceramic structures for controlled release of biologically active substances

1 . A composition for sustained delivery of a biologically active substance, wherein the composition comprises a biologically active substance and a ceramic structure, and wherein the ceramic structure comprises a metal oxide selected from a group consisting of titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, scandium oxide, cerium oxide and yttrium oxide.

2 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein, the biologically active substance is selected from a group consisting of: a drug, a biocide, a mildewcide, a fungicide, a bacteriocide, an algaecides, and mixtures thereof.

3 . The composition according to claim 2 , wherein the biologically active substance is a drug selected from a group consisting of: antipyretics, analgesics, antiphlogistics, steroidal anti-inflammatories, coronary vasodilators, peripheral vasodilators, antibiotics, synthetic antimicrobials, antiviral agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives, expectorants, bronchodilators, cardiacs, muscle relaxants, cerebral metabolism ameliorants, minor tranquilizers, major tranquilizers, betablockers, antiarrythmics, anthrifuges, anticoagulants, thrombolytics, antihistamines, antiemetics, depressors, hyperlipidemia agents, sympathetic nervous stimulants, oral diabetes therapeutics, oral carcinostatics, vitamins, thamuria therapeutics, and angiotensin convertase inhibitors.

4 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic structure comprises either a hollow portion wherein the biologically active substance is included in the hollow portion or a collection of smaller particles bound together.

5 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic structure is roughly spherical.

6 . The composition according to claim 5 , wherein the roughly spherical structure has a diameter, and wherein the diameter ranges from 1 μm to 100 gm.

7 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the diameter ranges from 3 μm to 50 μm.

8 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic structure comprises pores, and wherein the pores have diameters, and wherein the pore diameters range from 1 nm to 5 μm.

9 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein there ceramic structure has been treated with a salt or a hydroxide.

10 . The composition according to claim 9 , wherein the salt or hydroxide comprises magnesium, aluminum, silicon, silver, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, barium, lanthanum, calcium cerium, PEG polyethers, or crown ethers.

11 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic structure has been treated with a hydrophobic agent.

12 . The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the hydrophobic agent is selected from a group consisting of an organo-silane, a chloro-organo-silane, an organoalkoxy silane, an organic polymer, and an alkylating agent.

13 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the combination further comprises an excipient.

14 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the biologically active substance coats the ceramic structure in a thickness range, and wherein the thickness ranges from 10 nm to 10 μm.

15 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the coated biologically active substance is in an amorphous form.

16 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the coated biologically active substance is in a crystalline form.

17 . A process for preparing a composition according to claim 1 , wherein the process comprises:

a) dissolving the biologically active substance in a solvent to provide a solution;

b) contacting the solution with the ceramic structure; and,

c) evaporating the solvent

thereby providing the composition.

18 . The process according to claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises: degassing a suspension that results from contacting the solution with the ceramic structure.

19 . The process according to claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises removing any biologically active substance coated on the outside of the ceramic structure.

20 . The process according to claim 17 , wherein the solvent is selected from a group consisting the following: water, buffered water, an alcohol, esters, ethers, chlorinated solvents, oxygenated solvents, organo-amines, amino acids, liquid sugars, mixtures of sugars, supercritical liquid fluids or gases, hydrocarbons, polyoxygenated solvents, naturally occurring or derived fluids and solvents, aromatic solvents, polyaromatic solvents, liquid ion exchange resins, and other organic solvents.