Oxidized cellulose microspheres

1. A process for forming microspheres comprising:

contacting a solvent with a modified cellulose to form a modified cellulose solution;

contacting the modified cellulose solution with at least one bioactive agent to form a discontinuous phase liquid;

contacting the discontinuous phase liquid with a continuous phase liquid to form an emulsion, the continuous phase is selected from the group consisting of plant-based oils, petroleum-based oils, silicone-based oils, and combinations thereof; and

contacting the emulsion with a third phase liquid to extract the solvent from the emulsion, thereby forming a plurality of modified cellulose microspheres.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the third phase liquid is miscible with the continuous phase liquid and the discontinuous phase liquid.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the third phase liquid is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl myristate, hexane, triglycerides and combinations thereof.

4. The process according to claim 3 , wherein the third phase liquid is present in an amount from about 130% by volume to about 170% by volume of the continuous phase liquid.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein formation of the modified cellulose solution comprises:

contacting the modified cellulose with the solvent under an inert atmosphere to form a swelled modified cellulose;

adjusting the swelled modified cellulose mixture to a first temperature;

contacting the swelled modified cellulose after adjusting the first temperature with a salt under the inert atmosphere to form a modified cellulose solution; and

adjusting the modified cellulose solution to a second temperature.

6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the first temperature is from about 115° C to about 145° C and the second temperature is from about 90° C to about 120° C.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of N,N-Dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and combinations thereof.

8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium halides, sodium halides, potassium halides, and combinations thereof.

9. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

contacting the plurality of modified cellulose microspheres with a solution of a biodegradable polymer and an aqueous solution to form an emulsion; and

extracting a plurality of biodegradable polymer microspheres encapsulating the plurality of modified cellulose microspheres.

10. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is an aliphatic polyester.

11. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises at least one emulsifier and water.

12. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioactive agent is hydrophilic.

13. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the third phase liquid is miscible with the continuous phase liquid and immiscible with the discontinuous phase liquid.

14. The process according to claim 13 , wherein the third phase liquid is present in an amount from about 8.33% by volume to about 11.11% by volume of the continuous phase liquid.

15. The process according to claim 13 , wherein the third phase liquid is present in an amount from about 6.25% by volume to about 11.11% by volume of the continuous phase liquid.

16. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the third phase liquid is present in an amount from about 8.33% by volume to about 11.11% by volume of the continuous phase liquid.