Novel spray nozzle and process for making nanoparticles
AssigneeBend Research, Inc.
InventorsVikram J. Pansare, Aaron Keith Goodwin, Ronald Arthur Beyerinck, Robert K. Prud'homme, Dwayne Thomas Friesen, David Thomas Vodak
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Abstract
Methods for making particulate material include providing a first solution comprising one or more solvents and an active agent, providing a second solution comprising an antisolvent, mixing the first solution with the second solution to form a mixture, atomizing the mixture with a gas to produce droplets, and drying the droplets by directing the droplets into a chamber for removal of the solvent and the antisolvent to produce solid particles. Various apparatuses for producing particulate material in this manner are also provided.
Claims22
A method for making particulate material comprising the steps of:
- providing a first solution comprising one or more solvents and active agents;
- providing a second solution comprising an antisolvent, wherein the first solution and/or the second solution further comprises a matrix material;
- mixing the first solution with the second solution, to form a mixture;
- atomizing the mixture with a gas to produce droplets;
- drying the droplets by directing the droplets into a chamber for removal of the solvent and the antisolvent, to produce solid particles;
- wherein the atomizing step occurs substantially immediately after the mixing step and is followed by the drying step in a continuous mode, and wherein the mixing step starts at a dedicated position of a spray-drying nozzle 3.
A spray-drying nozzle, for use in the production of particulate material, comprising:
- a first conduit, having an inlet and an outlet, for conducting a first solution;
- a second conduit, having an inlet and an outlet, for conducting a second solution;
- a mixing chamber being arranged to permit mixing of the first and second solution to generate a mixture, wherein the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with both said first and second conduits and is located proximal to the outlets thereof;
- one or more gas conduit, each having an inlet and an outlet, in fluid communication with an atomization region of the nozzle,
- wherein the atomization region is in fluid communication and downstream said mixing chamber and proximal to an outlet orifice of the nozzle, and wherein the one or more gas conduit is arranged to provide a gas flow into the atomization region to atomize the mixture into droplets that are jetted out of the spray-drying nozzle from the outlet orifice in the form of a spray.
(canceled)
The method of 8, wherein the matrix material is selected from the group consisting of lactose, mannitol, trehalose, and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.