Chemically and physiologically inert oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbons

BRITE/EURAM Project No. 7318

Project Co-ordinator

Prof. A Cambon, Universite de Nice (F)

Prof Dr. RP Franke, Universitat Ulm (D)
Prof GP Gambaretto, Universita Degli Studi Padova (I)
Dr KC Lowe, Universty of Nottingham (GB)

1.1 Specification of industrial problems

Perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions have been used as tissue oxygenating systems for many years and have shown potential in a wide field of medical applications.
However, to fully exploit the potential of oxygen carrying PFC emulsions, it is necessary to develop PFC and surfactants to enable long term storage at room temperature and to prove their biocompatibility to obtain regulatory approval.

1.2 Objectives

The aim of this project is to improve the long term stability and storability at room temperature of PFC emulsions by developing new PFCs and fluorosurfactants.
Long term stabilization will be tested by measuring time dependent particle size increases in the new PFC emulsions.

The biocompatitibilty of tailor made emulsions as well as development of enhanced systems will be measured in medical tests. Recently developed in vitro toxicity tests will speed the biocompatibility testing of novel components and complete systems.
It is anticipated that particle sizes of less than 200 nm will fulfill the above mentioned biocompatibility criteria, which characterize so called 'Third Generation' PFC emulsions.

1.3 Expected Achievements

Oxygen carrying systems consisting of emulsified PFC particles with diameters less than 200 nm, which are distinguished by

  • Non-toxicity
  • Biocompatibility by high excretion rates and chemical inertness (half life <20 days)
  • Improved oxygen transport capacity over previous emulsions:
  • enhanced PFC oxygen-solubility (>50% (v/v))
  • higher PFC concentration in emulsions using novel surfactants (up to 80% (w/v))

    The above is a summary from the original text of the grant application for Project No. 7318.

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