Biocompatible film with variable cross-sectional properties
View Patent ↗A biocompatible film includes a single layer having a plurality of components, at least one of the plurality of components having a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer. The at least one of the plurality of components that has a non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer may have a substantially uniform distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the single layer. The biocompatible film can be made by depositing a fluid composition including a film forming material and at least one other component immiscible with the film forming material and having a density different than the film forming material into a single layer, and drying the single layer such that the at least one other component has a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer after drying.
1. A self-supporting biocompatible film comprising a single layer having a plurality of components, at least one of the plurality of components having a non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer and a substantially uniform distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the single layer;
wherein said self-supporting biocompatible film comprises a water soluble polymer, a water insoluble polymer, or a combination thereof.
2. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of components include a bioactive agent.
3. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the bioactive agent is present throughout the thickness of the single layer.
4. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 3 , wherein the bioactive agent has a substantially uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer.
5. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 3 , wherein the bioactive agent has a substantially non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer.
6. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the bioactive agent is at least one material selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutical, a biological, an antigen, a confection, a food, a flavor, a vitamin, a botanical, a nutraceutical, a cosmaceutical, a protein and a genetic agent or modifier.
7. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein a first bioactive agent is provided in one portion in the thickness direction of the single layer and a second bioactive agent is provided in another portion in the thickness direction of the single layer.
8. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the bioactive agent is insulin.
9. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one component having the predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer is a bioactive absorption enhancer.
10. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one component having the predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer is a hydrophobic material.
11. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 2 , wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of nicotine, tobacco and tobacco derived botanical agents.
12. A self-supporting biocompatible film dosage unit comprising a single layer having a plurality of components, at least one of the plurality of components having a nonuniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer and a substantially uniform distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the single layer;
wherein said self-supporting biocompatible film dosage unit comprises a water soluble polymer, a water insoluble polymer, or a combination thereof.
13. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of components include a bioactive agent.
14. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 13 , wherein the bioactive agent is present throughout the thickness of the single layer.
15. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 14 , wherein the bioactive agent has a substantially uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer.
16. The self-supporting biocompatible film according to claim 14 , wherein the bioactive agent has a substantially non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer.