Patent Publication Number: US-10773222-B1

Title: Extrusion apparatus

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C Section 119(e) &amp; 37 C.F.R. Section 1.78 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States Provisional Patent Application entitled: Closed-loop temperature control for extrusion apparatus and systems, Application No. 62/505,601 filed May 12, 2017, in the name of Graham Jeffrey Taylor, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to extrusion apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an apparatus operable to facilitate the extrusion process of a lipid or other substance wherein the extrusion apparatus includes a block operable to provide alignment and capture of syringes and an extrusion filter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lipid extrusion is a technique wherein a lipid suspension is forced through a filter, such as but not limited to a polycarbonate filter, wherein the filter has a defined pore size so as to yield particles having a diameter generally equivalent to the pore size of the filter. The end result of the extrusion process is to produce a solution wherein the particle size of the lipid is homogenous. To accomplish the objective, it is routine for the solution to be passed through the filter many times. Preparation for extrusion of lipids generally consists of dissolving lipids in a suitable organic solvent and then evaporating the solvent. Ensuing solvent evaporation and drying of the remaining lipid material an aqueous solution is added to the vessel containing the dried lipid. Next, hydration agitation is performed which will result in the production of large multilmellar vesicles. At this stage, the solution is ready for extrusion in order to produce homogenous small unilammellar vesicles. 
     The extrusion of the aforementioned solution is commonly executed utilizing two syringes having a filter operably intermediate the two syringes. The filter is configured to homogenize the lipid particles to a desired size. Existing technology utilizes a block that is operable to have secured therein two syringes. These blocks typically have open channels that are designed to accommodate a syringe. Intermediate the open channels is a cavity that is configured to receive and retain a filter housing having a filter disposed therein. An individual performing an extrusion will operably couple one end of the filter to a first syringe and the opposing end of the filter to a second syringe. Ensuing operable coupling of the syringes and the filter, a lipid solution contained in one of the syringes is forced through the filter and into the opposing syringe. This action is executed as many times as needed in order to produce the desired result. One issue with the current technology is the inability to releasably secure the syringes into the body of the extrusion apparatus. Attempts have been made utilizing clamps and the like but these elements have proven ineffective and/or cumbersome to use. Additionally, existing devices do not incorporate an integrated heating technique and currently utilize external heating sources to heat the devices through conductance. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an extrusion apparatus that receives and releasably secures therein a first syringe and a second syringe and wherein the extrusion apparatus further includes an integrated heating apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an extrusion apparatus configured to facilitate extrusion of a lipid or similar material wherein the extrusion apparatus of the present invention includes a body configured to receive and retain two syringes and a filter housing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus operable to assist in the extrusion process wherein the body of the present invention includes three embodiments. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus configured to facilitate extrusion of a lipid or similar material wherein a first embodiment of the body of the present invention includes a centrally located filter receiving cavity. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus operable to assist in the extrusion process wherein the first embodiment of the body further includes a first syringe receiving channel and a second syringe receiving channel configured to receive and releasably secure syringes. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus configured to facilitate extrusion of a lipid or similar material wherein the first syringe receiving channel and the second syringe receiving channel are configured with a circumferential radius operable to retain a syringe therein. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus operable to assist in the extrusion process wherein the body of the present invention further includes an integrated heating component. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus configured to facilitate extrusion of a lipid or similar material wherein the second embodiment of the body of the present invention includes syringe capture members on opposing sides of a filter receptacle. 
     Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus operable to assist in the extrusion process wherein the third embodiment of the body of the present invention is configured with opposing syringe mounting members. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of the first embodiment of the body of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the first embodiment of the body of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the body of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the body of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an extrusion apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2  herein, the extrusion apparatus  100  includes body  10 . The body  10  is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to metal. It is further preferred within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  is manufactured from a material that conducts heat therethrough. The body  10  is rectangular in shape having a first end  11 , second  12  and further including a top surface  13 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could be manufactured in various lengths. The body  10  includes filter receiving cavity  20  formed therein. The filter receiving cavity includes first end  18  and second end  19 . The filter receiving cavity  20  includes opening  21  and bottom  22  and is defined by walls  23 . The filter receiving cavity  20  is sized and shaped so as to releasably receive a conventional filter and/or extruder encased in a housing such as but not limited to a polycarbonate filter utilized for lipid extrusion. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the extrusion apparatus  100  functions to releasably secure a filter and/or extruder wherein the filter and/or extruder is operable to extrude materials such as but not limited to lipids, liposomes, polymersome, proteins, and any other nano- and macro-scale particles. The filter receiving cavity  20  is formed within the body  10  utilizing suitable techniques and is formed so as to have a depth that is generally equivalent to the radius of the filter and/or extruder housing configured to be disposed therein. The shape of the filter receiving cavity  20  illustrated herein is a shape that is configured to be mateably engaged with a filter and/or extruder housing having a corresponding shape. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shape of the filter receiving cavity  20  could be formed in numerous shapes in order to mateably accommodate a filter and/or extruder housing of an alternate shape. 
     Contiguously formed with the filter receiving cavity  20  proximate first end  18  thereof is the first syringe channel  30 . The first syringe channel  30  includes first end  31  and second end  32  having openings  33 , 34 . The first syringe channel  30  includes passage  35  wherein the passage extends intermediate the first end  31  and second end  32 . First syringe channel  30  is configured to receive and releasably secure therein a conventional syringe. As will be further discussed herein, the first syringe channel  30  is formed with a circumferential radius that requires insertion of a syringe into second end  32  and subsequently traversed through passage  35  in order to engage a filter proximate first end  18 . 
     A second syringe channel  40  is contiguously formed with the filter receiving cavity  20  proximate second end  19 . The second syringe channel  40  includes first end  41  and second end  42  having openings  44 , 43 . The second syringe channel  40  includes passage  45  extending intermediate first end  41  and second end  42 . The second syringe channel  40  is configured similarly to the first syringe channel  30  so as to receive and releasably secure therein a syringe during operable engagement with a filter disposed in the filter receiving cavity  20 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2  herein, and end view of body  10  is illustrated therein. The end view illustrates the unique construction of the first syringe channel  30  and second syringe channel  40 . It should be noted that the end view illustrated in  FIG. 2  for exemplary purposes will be discussed hereafter as the first syringe channel  20  but it is of record that the second syringe channel  40  is identically constructed. The first syringe channel  30  is formed so as to create a specific circumferential radius operable to retain a syringe therein and inhibit the ability for a syringe to be inserted and/or removed from the top opening  39  of the passage  35 . The first syringe channel  30  is formed in the body  10  so as to have a circumferential radius that is greater than one hundred and eighty degrees. Construction of the first syringe channel  30  with the aforementioned circumferential radius requires a syringe to be inserted into second end  32  and moved through passage  35  to first end  31 . As the circumferential radius of the first syringe channel  30  is greater than one hundred and eighty degrees, a syringe disposed therein is unable to propagate through the top opening  39  thus providing a secure fit of a syringe into the body  10 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the circumferential radius of the first syringe channel  30  could be within the range of one hundred and eighty one degrees to three hundred and thirty degrees. A complete enclosure of a syringe is undesirable as visibility of a solution in a syringe is preferred. While the passage  35  has an outer wall  98  that is annular in form, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer wall  98  of the passage  35  could be formed in alternate shapes and achieve the desired function of retaining a syringe therein and requiring the insertion of the syringe in a longitudinal direction. By way of example but not limitation, the outer wall  98  could be modified triangular in form and accomplished the desired objective herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  herein, the extrusion apparatus  100  further includes a temperature control assembly  50 . The temperature control assembly  50  includes ports  51 , 52  that are bored through the front wall  4  of the body  10  utilizing suitable durable techniques. Ports  51 , 52  are bored into body  10  but do not penetrate through to rear wall  3 . The ports  51 , 52  are operable to receive a temperature control element therein so as to provide an increase and/or a decrease in temperature of the body  10  during utilization of the extrusion apparatus  100  if desired. While two ports  51 , 52  are illustrated herein being opposedly located on the body  10 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could be configured with as few as one port or more than two ports wherein the ports are configured to receive a temperature control element therein. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the ports  51 ,  52  could be configured to receive numerous types of temperature control elements such as but not limited to resistive heating elements or Peltier elements. 
     The body  10  further includes apertures  53 , 54  that are operably coupled with passage  55 . Apertures  53 , 54  are formed in the body  10  utilizing suitable techniques and are fluidly coupled with passage  55 . Passage  55  is hollow and is operable to allow a fluid that is thermally controlled from an external source to be introduced therethrough. Apertures  53 , 54  and passage  55  provide an alternate technique to control the temperature of the body  10  during the extrusion process. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the passage  55  could have a fluid flow therethrough that is operable to either increase or decrease the temperature of the body  10 . While the passage  55  is illustrated herein as being formed longitudinally within the body  10  intermediate apertures  53 ,  54  it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have a passage  55  formed therein of various different shapes and locations. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have more than one passage  55 . 
     Body  10  includes hole  79 . Hole  79  is journaled into top surface  13  utilizing suitable durable techniques. Hole  79  is formed to partially penetrate body  10  and is annular in shape. The hole  79  is configured to receive therein a thermocouple, thermometer or other temperature recording device. While a specific location for the hole  79  is illustrated herein it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hole  79  could be formed in numerous locations of the body  10 . It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hole  79  could be formed in alternate shapes so as to accommodate a temperature recording device of a different form. 
     Illustrated herein in  FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the body  200  of the extrusion apparatus  100 . The body  200  is configured to be operably coupled to an automated extrusion instrument that includes syringes having automated control. The body  200  is manufactured from a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to metal. The body  200  includes a base member  210  having a lower portion  212  and upper portion  215  contiguously formed. The lower portion  212  is planar in manner and is generally rectangular in shape. Upper portion  215  extends outward from the upper surface  209  of the lower portion  212 . Upper portion  215  has contiguously formed therewith a first syringe mount  220 , a second syringe mount  230  and a filter receiving member  240 . The filter receiving member  240  includes cavity  241  that is shaped to mateably receive a filter and/or extruder disposed in a housing. While a specific shape for the cavity  241  is illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the cavity  241  could be formed in various sizes and shapes so as to mateably accommodate a filter and/or extruder housing. Filter receiving member  240  includes first opening  242  and second opening  243  that are operably coupled with cavity  241  and function to permit a portion of a syringe to be operably coupled to a filter and/or extruder disposed within the cavity  241 . 
     The first syringe mount  220  is integrally formed with the upper portion  215  and includes vertical member  221  and horizontal member  222 . Vertical member  221  extends upward from the upper portion  215  and has perpendicularly coupled thereto the horizontal member  222 . The vertical member  221  extends sufficiently outward from the upper portion  215  in order to create void  223 . Void  223  is of suitable size so as to accommodate a portion of a syringe body therein. Groove  250  is formed in the top surface  249  of the upper portion  215  and extends longitudinally towards second syringe mount  230 . Groove  250  is formed so as to have a circumference that is configured to mateably engage a body of a syringe so as to provide releasable securing thereof in conjunction with the horizontal member  222 . 
     Body  200  further includes a second syringe mount  230 . Second syringe mount is formed identically to the first syringe mount  220 . Second syringe mount  230  is located distally to the first syringe mount  220  and includes a vertical member  231  having a horizontal member  232  perpendicularly formed therewith. Vertical member  231  extends sufficiently upward from the upper portion  215  so as to create void  233  intermediate upper portion  215  and the horizontal member  232 . Void  233  is of sufficient size so as to accommodate a portion of a body of a syringe. While a temperature control assembly  50  is not illustrated in body  200 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  200  could be configured with a temperature control assembly  50  as discussed herein for body  10 . 
     Now referring in particular to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the body  300  of the extrusion apparatus is illustrated therein. The body  300  is configured to be operable coupled to an extrusion instrument wherein the filter or extruder executing the extrusion is operably coupled to the instrument. Body  300  includes lower portion  305 , first syringe mount  310  and second syringe mount  330 . The body  300  is manufactured from a durable rigid materials and the lower portion  305  is planar in manner and rectangular in shape. The first syringe mount  310  is contiguously formed with the lower portion  305  and extends upward therefrom. The first syringe mount  310  includes a vertical member  311  that has perpendicularly formed therewith a horizontal member  312 . Horizontal member  312  has void  313  underneath that is of suitable size to accommodate a portion of a syringe body therein. A first syringe support member  315  and second syringe support member  316 . The first syringe support member  315  and second syringe support member  316  extend upward from lower portion  305  and have space  317  intermediate thereto. The first syringe support member  315  and second syringe support member  316  function to inhibit lateral movement of a syringe operably coupled with the first syringe mount  310 . While a temperature control assembly  50  is not illustrated in body  300 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  300  could be configured with a temperature control assembly  50  as discussed herein for body  10 . 
     The second syringe mount  330  is constructed similarly to the first syringe mount  310  and includes vertical member  331 , horizontal member  332  formed identically to vertical member  311  and horizontal member  312 . Void  333  is present underneath horizontal member  332  and is of suitable size to accommodate a portion of a syringe body therein. A third syringe support member  335  and fourth syringe support member  336  having a space  337  therebetween. The structural formation of the vertical member  311  and horizontal member  312  in conjunction with the third syringe support member  335  and fourth syringe support member  336  is operable to releasably secure a syringe ensuing being operably coupled thereto. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.