abstract |
Disclosed is a nanocapsule comprising (a) a drug-containing core and (b) a polyelectrolyte multilayer in which the drug-containing core is encapsulated. Nanocapsules contain particles whose maximum dimension is usually in the range between 50 nm and 10,000 nm. In certain embodiments, the nanocapsule contains a single drug. In other cases, the nanocapsules contain multiple drugs either in the same nanocapsule or in different populations of nanocapsules. In some embodiments, the nanocapsules include a surface functionalized with a ligand that can bind to, for example, body tissue. In some embodiments of the invention, the nanocapsules are magnetic or magnetic field sensitive. Also disclosed is a drug delivery method comprising the steps of (a) providing nanocapsules such as those described above and (b) placing the nanocapsules at a desired location within a subject using an implantable or insertable medical device. |