Introduction

This invention consists of nanostructures capable of carrying oxygen in hypoxic tissues, which are associated with various metabolic, ischemic and infectious pathologies. In addition to oxygen, these nanostructures can include active ingredients, other gases or contrast agents for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Technical features

The nanoparticle featured in this patent is formed by a liquid core and a polymeric shell. The core consists of a molecule characterized by carbon atoms bonded to fluorine and hydrogen atoms, while the shell is composed of a natural or synthetic polymer, which gives the nanoparticle mucoadhesive properties. The nanoparticle thus formed, can be prepared by different techniques, is therefore biocompatible and biodegradable and can able to incorporate gases, including oxygen for the treatment of hypoxia, or an active ingredient, such as a drug or genetic material (SiRNA) for therapeutic purposes, or a contrast agent used in diagnostics. Furthermore, these nanoparticles increase the dissolution rate of gases, active ingredients and contrast agents they are incorporated with. The closest known method to this, concerns gaseous structures based on a different molecules, which is much less efficient in gas exchange and more toxic when compared to those inserted in the core of the proposed nanoparticle. The nanoparticles described therefore represent an excellent drug delivery strategy.

Possible Applications

• Promote transalveolar oxygen transmission in interstitial pneumonia (eg induced by COVID-19) if properly used in mechanical respirators
• ‘Green’ treatments of food microbial and fungal infections through combination with harmless fluorophores, internalization and irradiation;
• Applications of oncological hyperthermia and magnetic driving through very impermeable membranes (eg blood-brain barrier).

Advantages

• Biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles;
• The liquid core improves the chemical-physical properties of the nanostructure and of the manufacturing process;
• Possibility of being sterilized;
• Increase the speed of dissolution of gases, active ingredients and contrast agents incorporated within.