Method of preparing elongated seamless capsules containing biological material
First Claim
1. A method of integrally forming an elongated seamless capsule having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
- initiating extrusion of a casting solution through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port;
subsequently initiating delivery of a coagulant to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule, the coagulant comprising an aqueous solution containing biological material;
terminating delivery of the coagulant; and
subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule;
wherein the casting solution and the coagulant are selected so that coagulation of the casting solution occurs as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biologically active factor, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through the inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through the outer bore. The method involves initiating extrusion of the coagulant subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution through the respective bores to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of integrally forming an elongated seamless capsule having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
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initiating extrusion of a casting solution through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port; subsequently initiating delivery of a coagulant to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule, the coagulant comprising an aqueous solution containing biological material; terminating delivery of the coagulant; and subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule; wherein the casting solution and the coagulant are selected so that coagulation of the casting solution occurs as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An elongated seamless capsule, having a first end and a second end, formed according to the following sequential steps:
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initiating extrusion of a casting solution through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port; subsequently initiating delivery of a coagulant to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule, the coagulant comprising an aqueous solution containing biological material; terminating delivery of the coagulant; and subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule; wherein the casting solution and the coagulant are selected so that coagulation of the casting solution occurs as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of integrally forming an elongated seamless capsule having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
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initiating extrusion of a casting solution through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port; subsequently initiating delivery of a coagulant to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule, the coagulant comprising an aqueous solution containing biological material; maintaining the flow rate of the coagulant at a faster rate than the flow rate of the casting solution; terminating delivery of the coagulant; and subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule; wherein the casting solution and the coagulant are selected so that coagulation of the casting solution occurs as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port.
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30. A method of integrally forming an elongated seamless capsule having a first end and a second end comprising the sequential steps of:
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initiating extrusion of a casting solution containing a solvent through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port; subsequently initiating delivery of a coagulant to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule, the coagulant comprising an aqueous solution containing biological material; maintaining a pressure differential between the coagulant and the casting solution during at least a portion of co-extrusion to impede solvent diffusion from the casting solution into the coagulant, and to cause coagulation of the casting solution as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port; terminating delivery of the coagulant; and subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule.
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31. A method of integrally forming an elongated seamless capsule having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
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initiating extrusion of a casting solution through a first outer bore of a multiple annular extrusion port, the casting solution having a water-miscible solvent component; subsequently initiating delivery of an aqueous coagulant, containing biological material, to a second inner bore of the extrusion port to form a coextruded inner core and achieve a smooth first end of a seamless capsule; terminating delivery of the coagulant; and subsequently terminating delivery of the casting solution such that essentially no extruded casting solution remains attached to the port to achieve a smooth second end of the seamless capsule, the coagulant with the biological material being contained within the seamless capsule, wherein coagulation of the casting solution occurs as the casting solution and the coagulant are extruded through the extrusion port.
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Specification