Bulk drying and the effects of inducing bubble nucleation
AssigneeAvant Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
InventorsVictor Bronshtein, Kevin R. Bracken, John G. Cambell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses apparatus and methods of inducing bubble nucleation to overcome problems commonly associated with preservation by foam formation. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of using bubble nucleation in foam formation to preserve sensitive biological materials. Preferred methods of inducing bubble nucleation include, mixing, chamber rotation, crystals, and ultrasound.
Claims15
An industrial scale process of preserving a biologically active material, comprising:
- loading a solution or suspension containing the biologically active material into a process vessel adapted to fit within a process chamber;
- subjecting the solution or suspension to drying conditions, which comprise a temperature and a vacuum pressure, wherein drying conditions are sufficient to cause the solution or suspension to boil without freezing;
- subjecting the solution to bubble nucleation by mixing;
- monitoring the drying conditions using a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
- and
- adjusting the drying conditions as required to maintain boiling without freezing by applying heat to the solution or suspension until a mechanically stable foam is formed.
An industrial scale process of preserving a biologically active material, comprising:
- loading a solution or suspension containing the biologically active material into a process vessel adapted to fit within a process chamber;
- subjecting the solution or suspension to drying conditions, which comprise a temperature and a vacuum pressure, wherein drying conditions are sufficient to cause the solution or suspension to boil without freezing;
- subjecting the solution to bubble nucleation by chamber rotation;
- monitoring the drying conditions using a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
- and
- adjusting the drying conditions as required to maintain boiling without freezing by applying heat to the solution or suspension until a mechanically stable foam is formed.
An industrial scale process of preserving a biologically active material, comprising:
- loading a solution or suspension containing the biologically active material into a process vessel adapted to fit within a process chamber;
- subjecting the solution or suspension to drying conditions, which comprise a temperature and a vacuum pressure, wherein drying conditions are sufficient to cause the solution or suspension to boil without freezing;
- subjecting the solution to bubble nucleation by ultrasonic waves;
- monitoring the drying conditions using a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
- and
- adjusting the drying conditions as required to maintain boiling without freezing by applying heat to the solution or suspension until a mechanically stable foam is formed.
A method of preserving a biologically active solution or suspension by boiling under vacuum while mixing said solution or suspension to induce forced convection, wherein mixing is accomplished by a stir bar.
A method of preserving a biologically active solution or suspension by boiling under vacuum while mixing said solution or suspension to induce forced convection, wherein mixing is accomplished by chamber rotation.
A method of preserving a biologically active solution or suspension by boiling under vacuum while mixing said solution or suspension to induce forced convection, wherein mixing is accomplished by ultrasonic waves.
An industrial scale process of preserving a biologically active material, comprising:
- loading a solution or suspension containing the biologically active material into a process vessel adapted to fit within a process chamber;
- subjecting the solution or suspension to drying conditions, which comprise a temperature and a vacuum pressure, wherein the drying conditions are sufficient to cause the solution or suspension to boil without freezing;
- positioning a stir bar at the bottom of said process vessel;
- activating said stir bar to mix said solution or suspension, wherein said mixing induces bubble nucleation;
- monitoring the drying conditions using a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
- and
- adjusting the drying conditions as required to maintain boiling without freezing by applying heat to the solution or suspension until a mechanically stable foam is formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.