Microencapsulation of Drugs in the Microgravity Environment of the United States Space Shuttle - Follow-On Experiments
Abstract
Southern Research Institute tested the feasibility of making biodegradable, time-release, pharmaceutical microspheres in space. Based on experiments conducted on Space Shuttle Discovery (Mission STS-53: December, 1992), we modified, built, safety tested, and flew hardware we call the Microencapsulation in Space (MIS-B) experiment. The MIS-B experiment flew on Space Shuttle Discovery -- Mission STS-70. Before launch, NASA technicians removed two storage lockers and in their place mounted the MIS-B hardware. Launch date was July 13, 1995. We retrieved the MIS-B hardware on July 20, 1995. The microspheres were characterized visually, by scanning electron microscopy, atomic spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The space-made, ampicillin-loaded microspheres were more spherical, had smoother surfaces, and had better internal organization that earth-made microspheres of the same composition. From our experience, these improved properties should improve the release properties of microencapsulated drugs and eliminate unwanted residual process aids. Furthermore, it is likely that microencapsulation in space will let us encapsulate drugs that can not be microencapsulated on earth. In a more general sense, we believe that a wide variety of materials -- speciality chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals, liquids and solids -- can be microencapsulated in space and potentially afford microsphere products with unique and superb performance properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADB218100
Entities
People
- Gary A. Winchester
- Richard L. Holl
- Thomas R. Tice
Organizations
- Southern Research