# US 9,517,210 B2 · Method for producing microcapsule powder > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,210 B2 - Document ID: US9517210B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/405,010 - Filed: 2013-07-10 - Published: 2015-05-14 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-12 - Assignees: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited - Applicants: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited - Inventors: Seitaro Mizukami; Naoki Choda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517210B2 ## CPC - A61K 9/5089: {Processes} - A61K 9/5026: {obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly(meth)acrylates} - A61K 9/5031: {obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)} - A61K 38/24: Follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]; Chorionic gonadotropins, e.g. HCG; Luteinising hormone [LH]; Thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] - B04C 5/13: formed as a vortex finder and extending into the vortex chamber {(exits with bulkheads preventing reverse flow vortex B04C3/00)}; Discharge from vortex finder otherwise than at the top of the cyclone; Devices for controlling the overflow - A61J 3/077: {Manufacturing capsule shells} - A61K 38/00: Medicinal preparations containing peptides (peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00) - F04C 2270/0421: Controlled or regulated - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - B04C: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ({centrifugal separation of water from steam B01D45/12;} jet mills B02C19/06; {wind sifters B07B7/00;} cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; {vortex burners for cyclone-type combustion apparatus F23D1/02; cyclonic type combustion apparatus for gas turbines F23R3/00}) - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS ## Abstract A method for producing a microcapsule powder includes a concentration step. In the concentration step, an aqueous dispersion of a microcapsule is supplied into a cyclone, and the aqueous dispersion is then concentrated. The concentration step includes an aqueous dispersion-supplying step and a concentrated dispersion-recovering step. In the aqueous dispersion-supplying step, the aqueous dispersion is supplied into a cylindrical member inlet. In the concentrated dispersion-recovering step, a microcapsule dispersion is recovered. The microcapsule dispersion is discharged through a conical member outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for producing a microcapsule powder, comprising a concentration step of supplying an aqueous dispersion of a microcapsule produced by in-water drying into a cyclone and then concentrating the aqueous dispersion to produce a concentrated dispersion, wherein the cyclone comprises: a cylindrical member having a cylindrical member inlet and defining a cylindrical space, a conical member attached to one end of the cylindrical member, defining a conical space, and having a conical member outlet, a tubular member attached to the other end of the cylindrical member and having a tubular member outlet, the conical space communicating with the cylindrical space, and the tubular member having an interior space that communicates with the cylindrical space; and wherein the concentration step comprises: an aqueous dispersion-supplying step of supplying the aqueous dispersion into the cylindrical member inlet, a concentrated dispersion-recovering step of recovering the concentrated dispersion discharged through the conical member outlet, further comprising a dilute dispersion-recovering step of recovering a dilute dispersion having a microcapsule concentration lower than the microcapsule concentration in the concentrated dispersion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: the cyclone further comprises a midway outlet provided at a position that is closer to the tubular member outlet than the cylindrical member inlet is to the tubular member outlet and closer to the cylindrical member inlet than the tubular member outlet is to the cylindrical member inlet, and the dilute dispersion-recovering step comprises a step of recovering a midway discharge liquid that is discharged through the midway outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone further comprises a relaxation member connected to the conical member, defining a flow-in space into which the concentrated dispersion discharged through the conical member outlet flows, and relaxing the strength with which the concentrated dispersion is discharged, and wherein the concentrated dispersion-recovering step comprises: a flow-in step in which the concentrated dispersion flows out of the conical space into the flow-in space and, at the time of discharge through the conical member outlet, the concentrated dispersion receives pressure that is higher than the atmospheric pressure outside the relaxation member, and a discharge step of discharging the concentrated dispersion within the relaxation member out from the relaxation member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of lyophilizing the concentrated dispersion resulting from the concentration step. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsule contains a physiologically active substance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the physiologically active substance is leuprorelin or a salt thereof.