Device and method for making solid beads
US9656228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61P5/00
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of making solid beads is disclosed, said method comprising: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising a carrier fluid conduit and a functional fluid conduit which meet at a junction region; (ii) providing a laminar flow of a functional fluid comprising a solvent and a solute along the functional fluid conduit and providing a laminar flow of a carrier fluid along the carrier fluid conduit so as to form droplets of functional fluid in a flow of carrier fluid; (iii) cooling the segments of functional fluid in a conduit of the microfluidic device to form cooled (preferably frozen) droplets; and (iv) providing a liquid into intimate admixture with the cooled droplets so as to cause said solvent to exit said cooled droplets, thus forming solid beads. A microfluidic device for use in such a method is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.