Nova Patents
CA2767428C

Novel gold-based nanocrystals for medical treatments and electrochemical manufacturing processes therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel gold nanocrystals and nanocrystal shape distributions that have surfaces that are substantially free from organic impurities or films. Specifically, the surfaces are "clean" relative to the surfaces of gold nanoparticles made using chemical reduction processes that require organic reductants and/or surfactants to grow gold nanoparticles from gold ions in solution. The invention includes novel electrochemical manufacturing apparatuses and techniques for making the gold-based nanocrystals. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the use of the gold nanocrystals or suspensions or colloids thereof for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions for which gold therapy is already known and more generally for conditions resulting from pathological cellular activation, such as inflammatory (including chronic inflammatory) conditions, autoimmune conditions, hypersensitivity reactions and/or cancerous diseases or conditions In one embodiment, the condition is mediated by MIF (macrophage migration inhibiting factor).

CA2767428C, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 3

Term

3.8 yearsleft in the term

Expires 8 July 2030.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Granted
  4. Today
  5. Expires

32 claims: 4 independent, 28 dependent

  1. 1
    CLAIMS 1. A pharmaceutically acceptable suspension comprising:a. ) pharmaceutical grade water;b. ) gold nanocrystals suspended in said water forming a suspension, wherein said gold nanocrystals: i. ) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces or (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water or a processing enhancer, which alter the functioning of said nanocrystals;ii. ) have a mode particle size of less than 50nm;iii. ) are present in said suspension at a concentration of at least 2 ppm;iv. ) have shapes comprising triangles and pentagons present in a combined amount of 15% to 50% relative to all gold nanocrystal shapes present;and c. ) said suspension having a pH of between 5 to 9.5 and, said gold nanocrystals in said suspension having a zeta potential of at least -20mV.
  2. 6
    A pharmaceutical suspension comprising:a. ) pharmaceutical grade water containing at least one processing enhancer comprising sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein, said water having a pH of between 5 to 9.5;b. ) shaped gold nanocrystals in said water forming said suspension, said gold nanocrystals in said suspension having a zeta potential of at least -30mV and wherein said gold nanocrystals: i. ) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces or (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water or said processing enhancer, which alter the functioning of said nanocrystals;ii. ) have a mode particle size of less than 50nm;iii. ) are present in said suspension at a concentration of at least 2 ppm;and iv. ) have shapes comprising triangles and pentagons.
  3. 8
    A suspension comprising:a. ) pharmaceutical grade water, said water having a pH of between 5 to 9.5;b. gold nanocrystals in said water forming said suspension, said gold nanocrystals in said suspension having a zeta potential of at least -20mV and wherein said gold nanocrystals: 202 CA 2767428 2017-09-01 i. ) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces or (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces which alter the functioning of said nanocrystals;ii. ) have a mode particle size of less than 50nm;iii. ) are present in said suspension at a concentration of at least 2 ppm;iv. ) have shapes comprising triangles and pentagons in an amount of 15% to 50% relative to all gold nanocrystal shapes in said suspension;and v. ) contain at least one spatially extended low index crystal plane selected from the group consisting of {111}, {110} and {100} and their equivalents.
  4. 18
    A process for forming gold nanocrystals suspended in water:providing at least one processing enhancer in said water;providing at least one trough member;creating a flow direction of said water through said at least one trough member;providing at least one metallic-based plasma forming electrode spaced apart from a surface of said water, thereby forming a space between said at least one metallic-based plasmaforming electrode and said surface of said water;forming at least one plasma in said space between said at least one metallic-based plasma forming electrode and said surface of said water;providing at least one set of electrodes comprising gold contacting said water, said at least one set of electrodes contacting comprising gold said water after said water has flowed past said at least one metallic-based plasma forming electrode;and causing said at least one set of electrodes comprising gold to react electrochemically with said water as said water contacts said at least one set of electrodes, whereby said gold nanocrystals are formed in said water, said gold nanocrystals have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces or (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water or said processing enhancer, which alter the functioning of said nanocrystals.
Independent claims4