High mass throughput particle generation using multiple nozzle spraying
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsDavid Y.H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
Claims49
An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure and terminating at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed, wherein at least one nozzle structure of the plurality of nozzle structures is separated from an adjacent nozzle structure by at least an internozzle distance (L) defined by the distance between center axes of the nozzle structures, wherein the ratio of the internozzle distance (L) to a diameter (D) of the opening at the dispensing end is equal to or greater than 2 and L is in a range of about 2 mm to about 16 mm;
- and
- dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from and positioned forward of the dispensing ends.
An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
- providing a circular configuration of nozzle structures comprising an outer ring of nozzle structures and one or more inner rings of nozzle structures, wherein each of the outer ring and the inner rings are concentric about a center nozzle structure, and further wherein the center nozzle structure and each of the nozzle structures of the one or more inner rings is at a substantially equal internozzle distance (L) from adjacent nozzle structures, and further wherein each of the nozzle structures comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure and terminating at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed;
- and
- dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from the dispensing ends.
An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by a distance;
- structurally isolating the nozzle structures from one another such that a cone jet is allowed to form at the dispensing end of each nozzle structure, wherein structurally isolating the nozzle structures from one another comprises positioning one or more separation structures between at least the dispensing ends of the nozzle structures, wherein the one or more separation structures comprise an insulative material;
- and
- dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from and positioned forward of the dispensing ends and the one or more separation structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.