EP0224457A1 — Micro-capsules

USPTO Abstract

The invention relates to a completely novel type of micro-capsules, viz. such capsules where an encapsulated hydrophobic or lipophilic substance is surrounded by polar solid crystals of polar lipids which expose their hydrophilic face outwards and their hydrophobic face turned inwards to­wards the hydrophobic or lipophilic substance. These micro-­capsules can be utilized to encapsulate for instance tacky substances or substances to be protected against oxidation or influence from light. Moreover, an especially interesting use according to the invention is the use of said micro-capsules in an ointment base, where the active ingredient is well pro­tected within said capsules up to the use but which at the application on the skin directly comes into contact with the skin surface as a consequence of the crystalline structure of the shell. Furthermore, the invention relates to a special micro-capsule composition in the form of a dispersion of said micro-capsules in water or a polar liquid, where the crystals constitute 5-50 percent by weight and water or the polar li­quid 50-95 percent by weight. Moreover, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of said micro-capsules, wherein a mixture of said polar lipid with water or polar liquid is formed, the mixture is heated above the transition temperature of the lipid and the mixture is then cooled to the desired temperature so as to obtain crystallization, the hydrophobic or lipophilic substance being added before or during the liposomic phase. Finally, the invention relates to a crystal dispersion of the polar lipid in a polar liquid, such as glycerol, ethylene- or propylene glycol.