Method of producing polymeric particles with selected size, shape, morphology and composition
US8696952B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing polymeric particles with pre-designed size, shape, morphology and composition, and more particularly the present invention uses a microfluidic polymerization reactor for producing same. The present invention disclosed herein provides a process for producing polymer particles with pre-selected shapes. The method includes injecting a first fluid comprising a polymerizable constituent with a controlled flow rate into a microfluidic channel and injecting a second fluid with a controlled flow rate into the microfluidic channel in which the second fluid mixes with the first fluid, the second fluid being immiscible with the first fluid so that the first fluid forms into droplets in the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel has pre-selected dimensions to give droplets of pre-selected size, morphology and shape. The microfluidic channel is sufficiently long so that the droplets have a sufficiently long residence time in the channel so that they polymerize or otherwise harden into droplets of pre-selected size and shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.