Systems, devices, and methods for making or administering frozen particles

• US 20100168900A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Myhrvold, Nathan P., Boyden, Edward S., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Leuthardt, Eric C., Cook, Daniel B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,849,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/337 having four-membered rings, e.g. taxol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/70 Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof sorbitol A61K31/047
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7008 Compounds having an amino group directly attached to a carbon atom of the saccharide radical, e.g. D-galactosamine, ranimustine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7088 Compounds having three or more nucleosides or nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/38 Albumins
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4833 Thrombin (3.4.21.5)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4886 Metalloendopeptidases (3.4.24), e.g. collagenase
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0004 Homeopathy; Vitalisation; Resonance; Dynamisation, e.g. esoteric applications; Oxygenation of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1244 microparticles or nanoparticles, e.g. polymeric nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0019 Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner non-active ingredients are additionally classified in A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0021 Intradermal administration, e.g. through microneedle arrays, needleless injectors mechanical aspects A61M
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/007 Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/08 Solutions composition of solutions A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1611 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1617 Organic compounds, e.g. phospholipids, fats
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1641 : obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, poloxamers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1664 : Compounds of unknown constitution, e.g. material from plants or animals oils, fats, waxes, shellac A61K9/1617
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1688 : resulting in pure drug agglomerate optionally containing up to 5% of excipient
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/19 : lyophilised , i.e. freeze-dried, solutions or dispersions lyophilised products with subsequent particle size reduction A61K9/14; granules or pellets made by lyphilisation A61K9/1682; solid oral dosage forms made by lyophilisation A61K9/2095; lyophilisation additives A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 : Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one substrate.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one computing device;

at least one manufacturing device for making at least one a frozen piercing implement, frozen particle composition, or frozen piercing implement device; and

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to regulate making of the at least one of a frozen piercing implement, frozen particle composition, or frozen piercing implement device with the at least one manufacturing device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computing device includes one or more of a desktop computer, workstation computer, or computing system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one computing system includes one or more of a cluster of processors, a networked computer, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, a mobile telephone, or a personal digital assistant computer.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more instructions that when executed on the at least one computing device cause the at least one computing device to generate at least one output to a user readable display.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one output includes at least one graphical illustration of one or more of the at least one frozen particle composition, at least one frozen piercing implement, at least one frozen piercing implement device, or at least one substrate to which the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device is to be administered to at least one substrate.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one output includes at least one protocol for making the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one output includes at least one protocol for administering the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device to at least one substrate.

14. The system of claim 4, wherein the user includes at least one entity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the entity includes at least one person, or computer.

16. The system of claim 4, wherein the user readable display includes a human readable display.

17. The system of claim 4, wherein the user readable display includes one or more active displays.

18. The system of claim 4, wherein the user readable display includes one or more passive displays.

19. The system of claim 4, wherein the user readable display includes one or more of a numeric format, graphical format, or audio format.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more instructions for evaluating the at least one substrate for one or more indicators prior to, during, or subsequent to administering the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the evaluating at least one substrate for one or more indicators includes evaluating at least one of an assay, image, or gross assessment of the at least one substrate prior to, during, or subsequent to administering the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the assay includes at least one technique including spectroscopy, microscopy, electrochemical detection, polynucleotide detection, histological examination, biopsy analysis, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, electron transfer, enzyme assay, electrical conductivity, isoelectric focusing, chromatography, immunoprecipitation, immunoseparation, aptamer binding, filtration, electrophoresis, immunoassay, or radioactive assay.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one image includes one or more images acquired by at least one of laser, holography, x-ray crystallography, optical coherence tomography, computer-assisted tomography scan, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron-emission tomography scan, ultrasound, x-ray, electrical-impedance monitoring, microscopy, spectrometry, flow cytommetry, radioisotope imaging, thermal imaging, infrared visualization, multiphoton calcium-imaging, photography, or in silico generation.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more instructions for predeterming at least one property of the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device includes at least one viscous fluid.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device includes at least one agent.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising mechanical, electrical, or magnetic means for controlling at least one parameter for making or administering the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one parameter for making the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device includes one or more property including:

constitution of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, configuration of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, formulation of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, size of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, density of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, shape of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, physical structure of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, or physical or chemical integrity of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one parameter for administering at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement to at least one substrate includes one or more of:

substrate type;

substrate function;

substrate size;

substrate constitution;

substrate architecture;

substrate durability;

substrate source;

one or more temporal coordinates;

one or more spatial coordinates;

substrate temperature;

temperature of administration conditions;

depth of administration of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

presence or absence of at least one agent;

presence or absence of at least one microparticle, nanoparticle, lens, tunable lens, sensor, transducer, actuator, detector, heater, valve, gate, channel, detection material, pump, power source, injector, controller, receiver, transmitter, or circuit;

angle of administration of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

velocity of administration of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

quantity of frozen particle compositions or frozen piercing implements administered;

rate of administration of more than one frozen particle compositions or frozen piercing implements;

method of administration of at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

timing of administration of at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

or rate of delivery of at least one agent.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one parameter for making the at least one frozen piercing implement device includes one or more of:

constitution of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, constitution of the at least one frozen piercing implement device, configuration of the at least one frozen piercing implement or frozen piercing implement device, formulation of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, formulation of the at least one frozen piercing implement device, size of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, size of the at least one frozen piercing implement device, shape of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, shape of the at least one frozen piercing implement device, physical structure of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, physical structure of the at least one frozen piercing implement device, physical or chemical integrity of the at least one frozen piercing implement of the frozen piercing implement device, or physical or chemical integrity of the at least one frozen piercing implement device.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one parameter for administering at least one frozen piercing implement device to at least one substrate includes one or more of:

substrate type;

substrate function;

substrate size;

substrate constitution;

substrate architecture;

substrate durability;

substrate temperature;

temperature of administration conditions;

depth of administration of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement;

substrate source;

one or more temporal coordinates;

one or more spatial coordinates;

presence or absence of at least one agent;

presence or absence of at least one microparticle, nanoparticle, lens, tunablelens, sensor, transducer, actuator, detector, heater, valve, gate, channel, detection material, pump, power source, injector, controller, receiver, transmitter, or circuit;

angle of administration of the at least one frozen piercing implement device;

force of administration of the at least one frozen piercing implement device;

velocity of administration of the at least one frozen piercing implement device;

quantity of frozen piercing implements of the device;

quantity of frozen piercing implement devices administered;

rate of administration of more than one frozen piercing implement devices;

method of administration of at least one frozen piercing implement device;

timing of administration of at least one frozen piercing implement;

or rate of delivery of at least one agent of the device.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one frozen particle composition, frozen piercing implement, or frozen piercing implement device includes at least one of hydrogen oxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, helium, neon, argon, xenon, chlorine, bromine, carbon dioxide, acetone, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetronitrile, acetic acid, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, hexamethylphosphorotriamide, perfluorohydrocarbon, methanol, ethanol, tert-butyl alcohol, formic acid, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, acetonitrile, hexane, dichloromethane, methylene chloride, carboxylic acid, saline, standard saline citrate, methane, toluene, chloroform, polyethylene glycol, acetic acid, Ringer'"'"'s solution, lactated Ringer'"'"'s solution, Hartmann'"'"'s solution, acetated Ringer'"'"'s solution, phosphate buffered solution, TRIS-buffered saline solution, Hank'"'"'s balanced salt solution, Earle'"'"'s balanced salt solution, standard saline citrate, HEPES-buffered saline, dextrose, glucose, methane, or diethyl ether.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes a body portion including at least one compartment configured to hold at least one fluid, the body portion including at least one port, wherein the at least one port provides fluid communication between the at least one compartment and an environment external to the body portion;

inlet means for facilitating introduction of at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement into the body portion; and

expansion means for inducing a volume expansion of the at least one fluid in the at least one compartment to propel the at least one frozen particle composition or at least one frozen piercing implement through the at least one port to the external environment.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes a body portion including at least one first compartment and at least one second compartment, the at least one first compartment configured to hold at least one fluid composition, the body portion including at least one first port, wherein the at least one first port provides fluid communication between the at least one first compartment and the at least one second compartment, the at least one fluid composition including at least one first fluid and at least one agent;

wherein the at least one first compartment includes cooling means for providing conditions for a time sufficient to solidify the at least one fluid composition into at least one frozen fluid composition;

inlet means for facilitating introduction of at least one fluid composition into the body portion;

one or more apertures configured to extrude at least one frozen fluid composition to at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement, wherein the one or more apertures are in fluid communication with the at least one first compartment and the at least one second compartment;

wherein the at least one second compartment is configured to hold at least one frozen fluid composition, the body portion including at least one second port, wherein the at least one second port provides fluid communication between the at least one second compartment and an environment external to the body portion;

pressure means for facilitating contact between the at least one frozen fluid composition and the one or more apertures, and movement of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement extruded from the one or more apertures into the at least one second compartment;

the at least one second compartment having at least one second port, the at least one second compartment configured for holding at least one second fluid, and configured for receiving the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement extruded from the one or more apertures; and

expansion means for inducing a volume expansion of the at least one second fluid in the at least one second compartment to propel the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement through the at least one second port to the external environment.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes a body portion including at least one nonlinear channel including a hydrophobic surface, and configured to hold at least one fluid composition, the body portion including at least one port, wherein the at least one port provides fluid communication between the at least one nonlinear channel and an environment external to the body portion;

and inlet means for facilitating introduction of at least one fluid composition to the at least one nonlinear channel;

wherein the at least one nonlinear channel is configured to maintain conditions for a time sufficient to at least partially freeze at least one fluid composition received in the at least one nonlinear channel, thereby forming at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement; and

pressure means for translocating the at least one frozen particle composition through the at least one port to the external environment.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes at least one frame defining at least one projection for contacting at least one fluid composition on at least one surface;

electronic or mechanical means for raising the at least one frame approximately vertically from the at least one fluid composition, such that the surface tension of the at least one fluid composition is maintained, thereby forming at least one fluid composition extension; and

exposing the at least one fluid composition extension to conditions for a time sufficient to freeze the at least one fluid composition extension into at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the at least one frame includes at least one of a hydrophobic, super hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or omniphobic material.

8-13. -13. (canceled)

38-69. -69. (canceled)

70. A computer program product, comprising:

a recordable medium bearing one or more instructions for making at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement with at least one device configured to make at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement; and

one or more instructions for generating at least one output to a user readable display.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the recordable medium includes a computer-readable medium.

72. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the recordable medium includes a communications medium.

73. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one output includes at least one graphical illustration of one or more of the at least one frozen particle composition, at least one frozen piercing implement, or at least one substrate to which the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement is to be administered.

74. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one output includes at least one protocol for making the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

75. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one output includes at least one protocol for administering the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement to at least one substrate.

82. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the user includes at least one entity.

83. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the entity includes at least one person, or computer.

84. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the user readable display includes a human readable display.

85. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the user readable display includes one or more active displays.

86. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the user readable display includes one or more passive displays.

87. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the user readable display includes one or more of a numeric format, graphical format, or audio format.

88. The computer program product of claim 70, further comprising one or more instructions for administering the at least one composition to at least one substrate.

89. The computer program product of claim 70, further comprising one or more instructions for evaluating the at least one substrate for one or more indicators prior to, during, or subsequent to administering the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

90. The computer program product of claim 89, wherein the evaluating at least one substrate for one or more indicators includes evaluating at least one of an assay, image, or gross assessment of the at least one substrate prior to, during, or subsequent to administering the at least one composition.

91. The computer program product of claim 90, wherein the assay includes at least one technique including spectroscopy, microscopy, electrochemical detection, polynucleotide detection, histological examination, biopsy analysis, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, electron transfer, enzyme assay, electrical conductivity, isoelectric focusing, chromatography, immunoprecipitation, immunoseparation, aptamer binding, filtration, electrophoresis, immunoassay, or radioactive assay.

93. The computer program product of claim 70, further comprising one or more instructions for predeterming at least one property of the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

94. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement includes at least one agent.

96. The computer program product of claim 70, further comprising one or more instructions for administering the at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement to at least one substrate.

97. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one frozen particle composition or fluid piercing implement includes at least one of hydrogen oxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, helium, neon, argon, xenon, chlorine, bromine, carbon dioxide, acetone, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetronitrile, acetic acid, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, hexamethylphosphorotriamide, perfluorohydrocarbon, methanol, ethanol, tert-butyl alcohol, formic acid, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, acetonitrile, hexane, dichloromethane, methylene chloride, carboxylic acid, saline, standard saline citrate, methane, toluene, chloroform, polyethylene glycol, acetic acid, Ringer'"'"'s solution, lactated Ringer'"'"'s solution, Hartmann'"'"'s solution, acetated Ringer'"'"'s solution, phosphate buffered solution, TRIS-buffered saline solution, Hank'"'"'s balanced salt solution, Earle'"'"'s balanced salt solution, standard saline citrate, HEPES-buffered saline, dextrose, glucose, methane, or diethyl ether.

99. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one device includes a body portion including at least one compartment configured to hold at least one fluid, the body portion including at least one port, wherein the at least one port provides fluid communication between the at least one compartment and an environment external to the body portion;

inlet means for facilitating introduction of at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement into the body portion; and

expansion means for inducing a volume expansion of the at least one fluid in the at least one compartment to propel the at least one frozen particle composition or at least one frozen piercing implement through the at least one port to the external environment.

101. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one device includes a body portion including at least one nonlinear channel including a hydrophobic surface, and configured to hold at least one fluid composition, the body portion including at least one port, wherein the at least one port provides fluid communication between the at least one nonlinear channel and an environment external to the body portion;

and inlet means for facilitating introduction of at least one fluid composition to the at least one nonlinear channel;

wherein the at least one nonlinear channel is configured to maintain conditions for a time sufficient to at least partially freeze at least one fluid composition received in the at least one nonlinear channel, thereby forming at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement; and

pressure means for translocating the at least one frozen particle composition through the at least one port to the external environment.

102. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the at least one device includes at least one frame defining at least one projection for contacting at least one fluid composition on at least one surface;

electronic or mechanical means for raising the at least one frame approximately vertically from the at least one fluid composition, such that the surface tension of the at least one fluid composition is maintained, thereby forming at least one fluid composition extension; and

exposing the at least one fluid composition extension to conditions for a time sufficient to freeze the at least one fluid composition extension into at least one frozen particle composition or frozen piercing implement.

103. The computer program product of claim 102, wherein the at least one frame includes at least one of a hydrophobic, super hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or omniphobic material.

76-81. -81. (canceled)

92. (canceled)

95. (canceled)

98. (canceled)

100. (canceled)