High mass throughput particle generation using multiple nozzle spraying
First Claim
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1. An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure and terminating at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed, wherein at least one nozzle structure of the plurality of nozzle structures is separated from an adjacent nozzle structure by at least an internozzle distance (L) defined by the distance between center axes of the nozzle structures, wherein the ratio of the internozzle distance (L) to a diameter (D) of the opening at the dispensing end is equal to or greater than 2 and L is in a range of about 2 mm to about 16 mm; and
dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from and positioned forward of the dispensing ends.
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Abstract
Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure and terminating at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed, wherein at least one nozzle structure of the plurality of nozzle structures is separated from an adjacent nozzle structure by at least an internozzle distance (L) defined by the distance between center axes of the nozzle structures, wherein the ratio of the internozzle distance (L) to a diameter (D) of the opening at the dispensing end is equal to or greater than 2 and L is in a range of about 2 mm to about 16 mm; and
dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from and positioned forward of the dispensing ends. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
providing a first flow of a first fluid composition at the first opening;
providing a second flow of a second fluid composition at the second opening; and
establishing a spray of particles from the first and second fluid compositions.
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16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first fluid composition comprises an active ingredient and the second fluid composition comprises a coating component, and further wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing a spray of coated active ingredients.
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17. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing excipient material; and
combining the spray of particles with the excipient material.
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18. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing a charged pattern; and
collecting the spray of particles on the charged pattern.
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19. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles into a container operable for inhalation by a user.
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20. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles at a rate in the range of 2 grams/minute to 50 grams/minute.
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21. The method of claim 1, wherein the center axes of two or more nozzles are not parallel to one another.
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22. An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
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providing a circular configuration of nozzle structures comprising an outer ring of nozzle structures and one or more inner rings of nozzle structures, wherein each of the outer ring and the inner rings are concentric about a center nozzle structure, and further wherein the center nozzle structure and each of the nozzle structures of the one or more inner rings is at a substantially equal internozzle distance (L) from adjacent nozzle structures, and further wherein each of the nozzle structures comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure and terminating at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed; and
dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from the dispensing ends. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
providing a first flow of a first fluid composition at the first opening;
providing a second flow of a second fluid composition at the second opening; and
establishing a spray of particles from the first and second fluid compositions.
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32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first fluid composition comprises an active ingredient and the second fluid composition comprises a coating component, and further wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing a spray of coated active ingredients.
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33. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing excipient material; and
combining the spray of particles with the excipient material.
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34. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing a charged pattern; and
collecting the spray of particles on the charged pattern.
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35. The method of claim 22, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles into a container operable for inhalation by a user.
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36. The method of claim 22, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles at a rate in the range of 2 grams/minute to 50 grams/minute.
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37. An electrospraying method, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure comprises at least one opening defined along a center axis of the nozzle structure at a dispensing end thereof from which a spray of particles having an electrical charge applied thereto is dispensed, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by a distance;
structurally isolating the nozzle structures from one another such that a cone jet is allowed to form at the dispensing end of each nozzle structure, wherein structurally isolating the nozzle structures from one another comprises positioning one or more separation structures between at least the dispensing ends of the nozzle structures, wherein the one or more separation structures comprise an insulative material; and
dispensing the spray of particles from each nozzle structure by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends from which the sprays are established and an electrode electrically isolated from and positioned forward of the dispensing ends and the one or more separation structures. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
providing a first flow of a first fluid composition at the first opening;
providing a second flow of a second fluid composition at the second opening; and
establishing a spray of particles from the first and second fluid compositions.
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45. The method of claim 44, wherein the first fluid composition comprises an active ingredient and the second fluid composition comprises a coating component, and further wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing a spray of coated active ingredients.
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46. The method of claim 37, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing excipient material; and
combining the spray of particles with the excipient material.
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47. The method of claim 37, wherein the method further comprises:
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providing a charged pattern; and
collecting the spray of particles on the charged pattern.
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48. The method of claim 37, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles into a container operable for inhalation by a user.
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49. The method of claim 37, wherein dispensing the spray of particles comprises dispensing the spray of particles at a rate in the range of 2 grams/minute to 50 grams/minute.
Specification