Methods for fabricating isolated micro- or nano-structures using soft or imprint lithography
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 pharmaceutical composition of delivery particles, comprising:
a plurality of uniform micro or nano sized delivery particles comprising a pharmaceutically or therapeutically active agent present throughout the delivery particle, wherein each delivery particle of the plurality has a substantially uniform three-dimensional shape having parallel lateral edges and parallel top and bottom edges in cross-section and wherein the size of each delivery particle of the plurality is less than about 100 micrometers in a broadest dimension.
2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein each delivery particle of the plurality further comprises a degradable material.
3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 10 micrometers.
4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 3 micrometers.
5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 500 nanometers.
6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 200 nanometers.
7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the shape mirrors the shape of a mold.
8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein each delivery particle of the plurality is free-standing.
9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured for local delivery.
10. A plurality of drug delivery particles, comprising:
a plurality of uniform micro or nano sized delivery particles comprising a pharmaceutically or therapeutically active agent present throughout the delivery particle, wherein each delivery particle of the plurality has a substantially uniform three-dimensional shape having parallel lateral edges and parallel top and bottom edges in cross-section and wherein the size of each delivery particle of the plurality is less than about 100 micrometers in a broadest dimension.
11. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein each delivery particle of the plurality further comprises a degradable material.
12. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 10 micrometers.
13. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 3 micrometers.
14. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 500 nanometers.
15. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein the broadest dimension is less than about 200 nanometers.
16. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein the shape mirrors a shape of a mold.
17. The plurality of drug delivery particles of claim 10 , wherein each delivery particle of the plurality is free-standing.
18. A method of treating a subject in need of a pharmaceutical, comprising: delivering a plurality of uniform micro or nano sized delivery particles comprising a pharmaceutically or therapeutically active agent present throughout the delivery particle, wherein each delivery particle of the plurality has a substantially uniform three-dimensional shape having parallel lateral edges and parallel top and bottom edges in cross-section and wherein the size of each delivery particle of the plurality is less than about 100 micrometers in a broadest dimension.
19. The method of treating of claim 18 , wherein each delivery particle further comprises a degradable material configured to control degradation of the delivery particles and release of the active agent after delivery to the patient.