Formation of small crystals
US6960256B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
2References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F33/82
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Small crystals are made by mixing a solution of a desired substance with an anti-solvent in a fluidic vortex mixer in which the residence time is less than 1 s, for example 10 ms. The liquid within the fluidic vortex mixer (12) is subjected to high intensity ultrasound from a transducer (20, 22) in or on the wall of the mixer, or coupled to a pipe supplying liquid to the mixer. The solution very rapidly becomes supersaturated, and the ultrasound can induce a very large number of nuclei for crystal growth. Small crystals, for example less than 5 μm, are formed that may be of a suitable size for use in inhalers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.