University of Colorado

Covidien LP

University Technology Corporation

Corinne Lengsfeld

Theodore W Randolph

Kristi S Anseth

Tyler Grubb

Christopher Brune

Alexa Jansey

Donn Sederstrom

Jennifer L Owens

Willy Grothe

Richard Frank Falk

Thomas J Anchordoquy

Kelly Brinkley

Ryan Jones

Daniel Jarmer

The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube with a shaped evacuation port. An evacuation port coupled to a suction lumen may be shaped to reduce air channel formation within the suction lumen, which in turn may improve the suctioning force and efficiency. The shaped evacuation ports may be generally oval or may be shaped to minimize a height dimension while maintaining a suitable cross-sectional area. In particular embodiments, the shaped evacuation ports may have cross-sectional areas that correspond to a cross-sectional area of the suction lumen.

Shaped evaluation port for a multi-lumen tracheal tube

Shaped evacuation port for a multi-lumen tracheal tube

The methods of the invention employ electrostatic atomization to form a compound droplet of at least two miscible fluids. The compound droplet comprises a core of a first fluid and a layer of a second fluid completely surrounding the core. The first fluid contains the agent to be encapsulated and the second fluid contains an encapsulating agent. The first and second liquids are miscible. The encapsulated droplets can contain a variety of materials including, but not limited to, polynucleotides such as DNA and RNA, proteins, bioactive agents or drugs, food, pesticides, herbicides, fragrances, antifoulants, dyes, oils, inks, cosmetics, catalysts, detergents, curing agents, flavors, fuels, metals, paints, photographic agents, biocides, pigments, plasticizers, propellants and the like and components thereof. The droplets can be encapsulated by a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, lipid bilayers and polymer shells. An additional complete or partial layer of a third fluid can be formed on the outside of the second fluid layer. The third fluid can contain a targeting or steric stabilizing agent.

Methods and apparatus using electrostatic atomization to form liquid vesicles

The present invention provides methods and devices for producing particles with an average diameter less than about 15 &#x3bc;m using the precipitation with compressed fluid-antisolvent (PCA) process and the carbon-dioxide assisted nebulization with a bubble dryer (CAN-BD) process. In the methods and nozzles of the invention, at least one jet of supercritical or near-supercritical fluid and at least one jet of solution interact to mix the supercritical or near-supercritical fluid and the solution within a chamber. The solution contains at least one solvent and at least one solute. At least one of the jets is a swirling jet. To form particles, the solvent and supercritical or near-supercritical fluid are then injected into a PCA or a CAN-BD process chamber. The degree of mixing depends in part on the power input into the mixing chamber. Power inputs of about 6.5&#xd7;10W/menhance the degree of mixing and allow production of nanoscale particles with the PCA process. The nanoscale particles have a size distribution so that polydispersity is less than about 1.75.

Devices and methods for the production of particles

Methods of forming crosslinked polymer particles in situ from polymer precursors such as monomers or oligomers, comprising exposing a composition comprising at least one polymer precursor, a solvent or solvent mixture, and an antisolvent or antisolvent mixture to photoradiation under conditions whereby particles are formed are provided. The polymer precursor may be photosensitive, or a separate polymerization initiator may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer precursor is insoluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture and the solvent or solvent mixture is soluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture at the concentrations used. Crosslinked polymer particles and crosslinked polymer particles comprising a polymer and a bioactive material are also provided. The polymer may be erodable, and the polymer particles formed may be used in a variety of applications, including controlled release of bioactive materials such as drugs. Polymer particles formed using the methods of the invention have low residual solvent levels and high additive encapsulation efficiencies. The processes of the invention allow control of particle size and morphology, use low operating temperatures and are useful for efficient bulk production.

Preparation and use of photopolymerized microparticles

Methods of forming polymer particles in situ from polymer precursors such as monomers or oligomers, comprising exposing a composition comprising at least one polymer precursor, a solvent or solvent mixture, and an antisolvent or antisolvent mixture to photoradiation under conditions whereby particles are formed are provided. The polymer precursor may be photosensitive, or a separate polymerization initiator may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer precursor is insoluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture and the solvent or solvent mixture is soluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture at the concentrations used. Polymer particles comprising a polymer and a bioactive material are also provided. The polymer may be erodable, and the polymer particles formed may be used in a variety of applications, including controlled release of bioactive materials such as drugs. Polymer particles formed using the methods of the invention have low residual solvent levels and high additive encapsulation efficiencies. The processes of the invention allow control of particle size and morphology, use low operating temperatures and are useful for efficient bulk production.

The present invention relates to the formation of microparticles from copolymers during a process involving precipitation with compressed antisolvents. The family of suitable copolymers have a semi-crystalline structure that above their glass transition temperature retain sufficient crystalline strength to form microparticles. The invention also provides systems comprising the microparticles encapsulated with a desired compound for the controlled release of the compound over a predetermined period of time.

Growing community of inventors

Denver, CO, United States of America

Corinne Lengsfeld