Patent ID: 6095134
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A61K,A61M,B01F,B01J,B05B,B05D,Y02P

Abstract:
A device for making fine particles of a substance having an average diameter of less than about 6.5 .mu.m comprising:(a) a first pressurized chamber containing a first nongaseous supercritical or near critical fluid;(b) a second chamber containing a solution or suspension of a substance in a second nongaseous fluid at least partially immiscible with said first fluid;(c) a mixing chamber for mixing said solution or suspension and first fluid connected to said first and second chambers by conduits;(d) first flow control means connected to the conduit between the first chamber and the mixing chamber for passing said first fluid into said mixing chamber;(e) second flow control means connected to the conduit between the second chamber and the mixing chamber for passing said second fluid into said mixing chamber so as to provide a composition within said mixing chamber comprising an at least partially immiscible mixture of said second fluid and said first fluid;(f) a restrictor for conducting the composition out of the mixing chamber into a rapid expansion region having a pressure below that of the supercritical or near-critical fluid where a dispersion of fine particles of said substance is formed.