The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 30, 2004
Pratibhash Chattopadhyay, North Royalton, OH (US);
Boris Y. Shekunov, Aurora, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Seitzinger, Broadview Heights, OH (US);
Pratibhash Chattopadhyay, North Royalton, OH (US);
Boris Y. Shekunov, Aurora, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Seitzinger, Broadview Heights, OH (US);
Ferro Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and methods of producing particles that include a polymer, a wax and/or lipid and, optionally, a biologically active substance. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a load stock including a polymer, a wax and/or a lipid that is a solid at standard temperature and pressure and, optionally, a biologically active substance is provided. The load stock is contacted with a supercritical fluid to form a melt. The melt is contacted with a polar solvent under suitable conditions to form an emulsion. The emulsion is expanded across a pressure drop to form solid particles that include the load stock. The methods and apparatus facilitate the production of very small particles that have a narrow particle size distribution.