Microdroplet manufacturing device allowing mass production of uniformly sized microdroplets

Abstract

The present invention provides a microdroplet manufacturing device allowing mass production of uniformly sized microdroplets of good coefficient of variation (CV) and high flux (LMH) in the dispersed phase.

Description

Microdroplet manufacturing device capable of mass-producing microdroplets of uniform size

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0172632 filed November 27, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a microdroplet manufacturing apparatus capable of mass-producing microdroplets of uniform size.

[0003] Devices and methods for producing microdroplets using single emulsion or multiple emulsion methods are used in various industries. For example, they are actively used in the cosmetics sector, such as creams and lotions, and in the pharmaceutical sector, such as embolization, microspheres, or microcapsules, and are also used in various industries such as pesticides, paints, spreads, batteries, and food.

[0004] Taking the pharmaceutical sector as an example, long-acting injectable drugs utilizing biodegradable microspheres are being developed recently. Various methods, such as cross-flow membrane technology and microfluidic technology, are being employed to suppress unintended early drug release, and these methods address the issue of early drug release by producing microspheres of uniform size.

[0005] Specifically, in long-acting injectable products, if the size distribution of microspheres is large, small microsphere particles can cause an undesirable initial burst of the drug, while large particles exhibit slow drug release. Therefore, it is required to manufacture uniform microspheres with a narrow size distribution.

[0006] Micro droplets can be produced by various methods, such as (1) a stirrer and homogenizer, (2) static mixer, (3) spray drying, (4) microfluidic, and (5) cross-flow membrane. However, methods using a stirrer and homogenizer, static mixer, or spray drying have technical limitations in producing uniform micro droplets. Although methods to produce uniform micro droplets using a microfluidic device are also being attempted, there are still issues regarding mass production due to technical limitations.

[0007] Recently, much research has been conducted on the production of microdroplets using microfilter membranes. Korean Published Patent No. 10-2020-0085834 introduces a cross-flow assembly for mass production. This method produces microdroplets by using a cross-flow assembly, as shown in FIG. 1, to create a flow of a continuous phase through a gap (27) between an insert (10) and a membrane (26), and to supply a dispersed phase to the continuous phase through the pores (created in the cylinder) of the membrane (26). However, in such a device, when the dispersed phase is injected, a relatively large pressure is applied to the membrane pores located close to the dispersed phase inlet, and a relatively small pressure is applied to the pores located far from the dispersed phase inlet on the circumferential surface of the membrane, making it difficult to provide microdroplets of uniform size in the direction of the continuous phase. In other words, it is difficult to provide uniform microdroplets because microdroplets produced from membrane pores subjected to relatively high pressure have a larger size than those produced from membrane pores subjected to relatively low pressure. Therefore, it is difficult to mass-produce microdroplets of uniform size with such a cross-flow assembly.

[0008] On the other hand, the cross-flow assembly described above is structurally difficult to form a large area where membrane pores are located (the zone where pores exist), making it difficult to provide a large number of pores and consequently disadvantageous for mass production. This is because increasing the diameter of the membrane tube to secure a wide pore zone increases the pressure difference applied to the membrane pores near the dispersed phase inlet and those on the opposite side, making it difficult to increase the area where the membrane pores are located. Furthermore, the same problem occurs even if the length of the membrane pore zone is increased while maintaining the diameter of the membrane tube.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop technology that can solve these problems and mass-produce uniform microdroplets.

[0010] [Prior Art Literature]

[0011] [Patent Literature]

[0012] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2020-0085834

[0013]

[0014] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and,

[0015] The purpose is to provide a microdroplet manufacturing apparatus capable of mass-producing uniform microdroplets with an excellent coefficient of variation (CV) while achieving a high flux (LMH) of the dispersed phase.

[0016]

[0017] To achieve the above objective, the present invention

[0018] A dispersed phase supply housing having an open end and one or more dispersed phase supply ports at the other end;

[0019] A dispersed phase discharge plate having an outer periphery fixed to an open end portion of the dispersed phase supply housing, comprising an internal ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone, and having a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores provided in the dispersed phase discharge zone;

[0020] A channel forming plate having a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone, provided in a spaced-apart state from the side opposite to the dispersed phase supply housing of the dispersed phase discharge plate;

[0021] A ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel formed by the above channel forming plate and dispersed phase discharge plate; and

[0022] A continuous phase supply unit that supplies a continuous phase to the channel from the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel, or a microdroplet discharge unit that discharges microdroplets generated in the channel to the outer periphery of the channel; comprising

[0023] When a continuous phase supply portion is provided on the outer periphery of the above channel, a microdroplet discharge port is provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate, and

[0024] A microdroplet manufacturing device is provided in which, when a microdroplet discharge portion is provided on the outer periphery of the above channel, a continuous phase supply port is provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, a microdroplet discharge port or a continuous phase supply port formed at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate may be located inside the ring, outside the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone with respect to the vertical direction.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of the annular microdroplet generating channel can be controlled by the coupling distance between the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores provided in the dispersed phase discharge plate may be cylindrical, tapered, or polygonal prism-shaped pores.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the open end portion of the housing may be circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate may be circular, elliptical, or polygonal plates.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone of the dispersed phase discharge plate may have a circular, elliptical, or polygonal ring shape.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the open end portion of the housing is in the form of opening one end portion of the ring-shaped space into a ring shape, and

[0032] The above-mentioned open end portion may have a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone of the dispersed phase discharge plate.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, when a microdroplet discharge port or a continuous phase supply port is formed at the center of the dispersed phase discharge plate, the microdroplet discharge port or the continuous phase supply port is positioned toward the outside of the housing or toward the inside of the housing, and

[0034] In the case where it is positioned facing the interior, an isolation channel may be further provided to isolate the microdroplet outlet or continuous phase supply outlet from the dispersed phase.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the isolation channel may be formed such that one end is connected to the continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port to communicate with the continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port, and the other end extends in the direction of the dispersed phase supply port.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, a guide channel for guiding the flow of a mixture of a continuous phase and a dispersed phase may be further provided on the surface of the channel forming plate toward the dispersed phase discharge plate or on the surface of the dispersed phase discharge plate toward the channel forming plate.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous phase supply portion or microdroplet discharge portion may include a ring-shaped sealing member that seals the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel at the outer periphery and one or more continuous phase supply ports or microdroplet discharge ports provided in the sealing member.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous phase supply unit or the microdroplet discharge unit further includes a chamber communicating with the outer periphery of the annular microdroplet generating channel for supplying a continuous phase or discharging a microdroplet, and the chamber may include one or more continuous phase supply ports for supplying a continuous phase to the chamber or one or more microdroplet discharge ports for discharging a microdroplet from the chamber.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber may be a donut-shaped chamber that covers the outer periphery of a ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber may be a cover-type chamber that accommodates the outer periphery of a ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel and the channel forming plate.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover-type chamber may be a chamber that covers the channel-forming plate from above with a spaced-apart space and communicates with the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate has a size such that its outer periphery forms a spaced-apart space from the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber, and the chamber can communicate with an annular microdroplet generating channel through the spaced-apart space.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate has an outer periphery connected to the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber and may have one or more continuous phase supply ports or one or more microdroplet discharge ports around the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber.

[0044] At this time, the continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port may be located between the inner circumference of the cover-type chamber and the outer circumference of the ring-type microdroplet discharge zone with respect to the vertical direction.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover-type chamber has a continuous phase supply port for supplying a continuous phase into the chamber, and the dispersed phase discharge plate has a microdroplet discharge port in the center.

[0046] At this time, the microdroplet outlet may be positioned facing the outside of the housing or facing the inside of the housing.

[0047] In addition, if the microdroplet outlet is positioned toward the interior of the housing, an isolation channel passing through the housing may be further coupled to the microdroplet outlet.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the isolation channel may be formed such that one end is connected to the microdroplet outlet provided in the dispersion phase discharge plate so as to be in communication with the microdroplet outlet, and the other end extends toward the dispersion phase supply port (11) provided in the housing.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores may be repeatedly arranged in the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone in the direction from the ring outer edge to the ring inner edge or from the ring inner edge to the ring outer edge. In the above, the direction from the ring outer edge to the ring inner edge or from the ring inner edge to the ring outer edge may be, for example, the direction of movement of the continuous phase or the reverse direction thereof.

[0050] For example, a plurality of pore rings, in which pores are arranged in a circular or polygonal shape, may be arranged within the discharge zone, and these pore rings may be arranged so as not to overlap each other. For example, if the pore rings are circular, the pore rings may have different radii so as not to overlap each other.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge pores repeatedly arranged in the annular dispersed phase discharge zone of the dispersed phase discharge plate are all connected to a single layer of annular microdroplet generating channels, and the continuous phase and the dispersed phase can form microdroplets while moving laterally along the single layer of annular microdroplet generating channels.

[0052]

[0053] The microdroplet manufacturing device of the present invention not only enables the supply of a large quantity of microdroplets by securing a wide micropore area, but also provides the effect of uniformly manufacturing a large quantity of microdroplets by having a structure in which a constant pressure is applied to the micropore area.

[0054]

[0055] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional cross-flow assembly for manufacturing microdroplets, and

[0056] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and

[0057] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the microdroplet manufacturing device of FIG. 2, and

[0058] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and

[0059] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the microdroplet manufacturing device of FIG. 4, and

[0060] FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating an embodiment of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, respectively.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and

[0062] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of the continuous phase and the dispersed phase in the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 8, and

[0063] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the microdroplet manufacturing device of FIG. 8, and

[0064] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a channel forming plate included in the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

[0065]

[0066] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Throughout the specification, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0067] When it is stated that one component is "connected, equipped, or installed" on another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or installed on that other component, or that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected, equipped, or installed" on another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Meanwhile, other expressions describing the relationships between components, such as "on top of" and "directly on top," "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0068] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0069] FIGS. 2 to 10 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 10 above, the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus (100) of the present invention is,

[0071] A dispersed phase supply housing (10) having an open end and one or more dispersed phase supply ports (11) at the other end;

[0072] A dispersed phase discharge plate (30) having an outer periphery fixed to an open end portion of the dispersed phase supply housing (10), and including a ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) inside, with a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) provided in the dispersed phase discharge zone (32);

[0073] A channel forming plate (20) having a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32), which is provided spaced apart from the opposite side of the dispersed phase supply housing (10) of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30);

[0074] A ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) formed by the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30); and

[0075] It includes a continuous phase supply unit (60) that supplies a continuous phase to the channel (50) from the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50), or a microdroplet discharge unit (65) that discharges microdroplets generated in the channel (50) to the outer periphery of the channel;

[0076] When a continuous phase supply unit (60) is provided on the outer periphery of the above channel (50), a microdroplet discharge port (67) is provided at the center of one or more of the channels forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30).

[0077] When a microdroplet discharge portion (65) is provided on the outer periphery of the above channel (50), the continuous phase supply port (62) is provided at the center of one or more of the channels forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30).

[0078]

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microdroplet manufacturing device (100) of the present invention may be configured such that, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a continuous phase supply unit (60) is provided on the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50), and a microdroplet discharge port (67) is provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30). In this device, a continuous phase is supplied from the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) toward the center of the channel (50), and the continuous phase passes through the upper portion of a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) located in the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32). Additionally, a dispersed phase is simultaneously supplied through a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) located in the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32). Accordingly, a continuous phase acts on the outer periphery of the microdroplet discharged from the dispersed phase discharge pore (33) to generate microdroplets, and the generated microdroplets are discharged and recovered through a microdroplet outlet (67) provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30).

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microdroplet manufacturing device (100) of the present invention may be configured such that a continuous phase supply port (62) is provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30), and a microdroplet discharge port (65) is provided at the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50). In this device, a continuous phase is supplied from the center of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) toward the outer periphery of the channel (50), and the continuous phase passes through the upper portion of a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) located in the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32). Additionally, a dispersed phase is simultaneously supplied through a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) located in the dispersed phase discharge zone (32). Accordingly, a continuous phase acts on the outer periphery of the microdroplet discharged from the dispersed phase discharge pore (33) to generate a microdroplet, and the generated microdroplet is discharged and recovered through a microdroplet discharge part (65) provided on the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50).

[0081]

[0082] In the present invention, the microdroplet generating channel (50) has the characteristic of being ring-shaped. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the channel forming plate (20) is provided in a state spaced apart from the side opposite to the dispersed phase supply housing (10) of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30), and has a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32). Since a dispersed phase supply port (62) or a microdroplet discharge port (67) is formed in the center of one or more of the plates of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30), the microdroplet generating channel (50) of the present invention has a ring shape.

[0083]

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the housing (10) is not limited to any shape as long as it can accommodate an isolation channel (Fig. 4, 40) inside, and can deliver the dispersed phase injected from the dispersed phase supply port (11) to the annular microdroplet generating channel (50) through the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) if necessary. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, a housing that gradually widens in a stepped manner toward the annular microdroplet generating channel (50) may be used, a conical housing may be used, and a cylindrical housing may also be used.

[0085] The above isolation channel (40) refers to a structure for separating a continuous phase or a microdroplet from a dispersed phase contained in a housing. As shown in FIG. 4, the isolation channel (40) may be formed such that one end is connected to the continuous phase supply port (62) or microdroplet discharge port (67) formed in the center of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) and the other end extends in the direction of the dispersed phase supply port (11). At this time, the other end may extend to the outside of the housing (10) through a through hole provided in the housing (10). At this time, the through hole may be created separately, and it is also possible to utilize the dispersed phase supply port (11).

[0086] The isolation channel (40), along with the isolation function, may also perform the function of forming a channel that guides the movement of the dispersed phase inside the housing (10), as exemplified in FIG. 9. That is, since one end of the isolation channel (40) is coupled to the inside of the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32), if the other end is extended in the direction of the continuous phase supply port, it can itself function as a channel that defines the movement path of the dispersed phase. Furthermore, if a continuous phase movement guide panel (Fig. 4, 42) is appropriately placed in the isolation channel (40) considering the shape of the inner circumference of the housing (10), a continuous phase movement channel can be efficiently formed. Meanwhile, it is also possible to form a continuous phase movement channel by modifying the shape of the housing (10) in conjunction with the isolation channel (40).

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing may be located either at the top or at the bottom with respect to the vertical direction. However, it may be more preferable for the housing to be located at the bottom. This is because, when the housing (10) is located at the bottom in the vertical direction, the dispersed phase gradually reaches the annular dispersed phase discharge zone (32) provided in the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) while filling the inner circumference of the housing (10) from below, and accordingly, can pass through the discharge pore (33) provided in the annular dispersed phase discharge zone (32) at the same or similar time and pressure. Therefore, this configuration may be very advantageous for manufacturing uniform microdroplets.

[0088] On the other hand, if each housing (10) is located in the vertical upper direction, the above effect may not be obtained due to the influence of gravity, and the amount of dispersed phase passing through the discharge pore (33) and the resulting passing pressure may vary over time. Therefore, in such cases, it is difficult to obtain microdroplets of uniform size, and it may also be difficult to obtain microdroplets of uniform size.

[0089]

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the housing (10) may be such that one end of the ring-shaped space is opened in a ring shape (e.g., donut shape), as shown in FIG. 6. The open end has a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) of the dispersed phase discharge plate.

[0091]

[0092] In one embodiment of the present invention, the open end portion of the housing (10) may have various shapes. For example, it may have a circular, elliptical, polygonal, ring-shaped shape. However, considering the uniformity and efficiency of the conditions under which the continuous phase and the dispersed phase are mixed to generate microdroplets in the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) and the microdroplets move to the microdroplet discharge portion (or microdroplet outlet), it may be preferable for it to be circular or ring-shaped.

[0093] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer periphery of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may have various shapes. For example, it may have a circular, elliptical, polygonal shape. However, considering the uniformity and efficiency of the conditions under which the continuous phase and the dispersed phase are mixed in the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) to generate microdroplets and the microdroplets move to the microdroplet discharge section (or microdroplet discharge port), it may be preferable for it to be circular.

[0094] In addition, considering the ease of connection, it may be preferable for the outer periphery of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) to have the same shape as the open end portion of the housing.

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may have various ring shapes. For example, it may have ring shapes such as circular, elliptical, or polygonal. However, considering the uniformity and efficiency of the conditions under which the continuous phase and the dispersed phase are mixed in the ring-shaped microdroplet generation channel (50) to form microdroplets and the microdroplets move to the microdroplet discharge section (or microdroplet discharge port), a circular ring shape may be preferred.

[0096]

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) are not particularly limited in shape as long as they are in a shape capable of forming a microdroplet generating channel (50). For example, the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may be flat plates. For example, the surfaces facing each other of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may be positioned parallel to each other. When having such a shape, an efficient ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) can be formed. However, it is not limited to such a shape.

[0098] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may be made of glass; ceramic; metal, such as stainless steel or nickel; polymer / plastic, such as a fluoropolymer; or known material such as silicon. However, it is not limited to these. In particular, when made of a metal such as stainless steel or nickel; or polymer / plastic, such as a fluoropolymer, it may be advantageous in terms of sterilization because it is possible to use sterilization techniques known in the art, such as gamma irradiation.

[0099] The channel forming plate (20) may also be manufactured from the same material as the dispersed phase discharge plate (30), but is not limited to these.

[0100]

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate (20) may further provide a guide channel for guiding the flow of a continuous phase, a dispersed phase, and / or a mixture thereof on the surface facing the dispersed phase discharge plate (30). This guide channel may be formed by engraving or embossing a channel on the plate, or by combining a guide bar (23) as shown in FIG. 11. When using a guide bar (23, or a reinforcing support) in this way, the effect of reinforcing the strength of the channel forming plate (20) may be expected.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may further have a guide channel for guiding the flow of a continuous phase, a dispersed phase, and / or a mixture thereof on a surface facing the channel forming plate (20). This guide channel may be formed by engraving or embossing a channel on the plate, or by combining a guide bar (23, or a reinforcing support) as shown in FIG. 11.

[0103]

[0104] In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) can be fixed by joining their outer peripheries to the housing (10), as illustrated in FIG. 2. Additionally, it is possible to fix them separately from the housing (10) using a channel forming plate (20) and / or dispersed phase discharge plate (30) coupling joint (not shown). In this case, the coupling joint can be joined to an opening formed at one end of the housing (10).

[0105] Additionally, the channel forming plate (20) may be fixed to the opposite surface of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) using a fixing rod. The fixing rod may be, for example, two or more cylinders, elliptical cylinders, polygonal cylinders, etc., having a height corresponding to the height of the channel, but is not limited thereto.

[0106] Additionally, if a housing exists on the outside, the channel forming plate (20) can also be fixed to the housing using a fixing rod.

[0107]

[0108] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) can be easily adjusted by adjusting the coupling distance between the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30).

[0109] The height of the above-mentioned ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the microdroplet to be obtained, etc. For example, the height of the channel (50) may be about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm, about 0.03 mm to about 50 mm, about 0.05 mm to about 40 mm, about 0.05 mm to about 35 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 25 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 20 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 15 mm, or about 0.5 to about 10 mm.

[0110]

[0111] In one embodiment of the present invention, a microdroplet outlet (66) or a continuous phase supply outlet (62) formed at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may be located inside the ring, away from the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) with respect to the vertical direction, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0112]

[0113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores (33) provided on the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) may be cylindrical, tapered (including uniformly tapered or stepped tapered) or polygonal prism-shaped pores.

[0114] The above pore can be formed in the direction of the dispersed phase supply housing (10) or the dispersed phase supply port (11) toward the microdroplet generating channel (50).

[0115] The above tapered pore can be advantageous in that it reduces pressure drop during discharge of the dispersed phase and potentially increases throughput / flux.

[0116] The above pores may be formed in a uniform shape within the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) or formed to have various patterns. The spacing between each pore may also be formed differently as needed.

[0117] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores may be repeatedly arranged in the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone (32) in the direction from the ring outer edge to the ring inner edge or from the ring inner edge to the ring outer edge. In the above, the direction from the ring outer edge to the ring inner edge or from the ring inner edge to the ring outer edge may be, for example, the direction of movement of the continuous phase or the reverse direction thereof.

[0118] For example, a plurality of pore rings, in which pores are arranged in a circular or polygonal shape, may be arranged within the discharge zone, and these pore rings may be arranged so as not to overlap each other. For example, if the pore rings are circular, the pore rings may have different radii so as not to overlap each other.

[0119] The discharge pores repeatedly arranged in the annular dispersed phase discharge zone of the above dispersed phase discharge plate are all connected to a single layer of annular microdroplet generating channels, and the continuous phase and the dispersed phase can form microdroplets while moving laterally along the single layer of annular microdroplet generating channels.

[0120] The patterned arrangement of the above-mentioned pores may be arranged such that the connected shape of each pore forms a square, triangle, line, circle, or rectangle, for example, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the patterned arrangement of the above-mentioned pores may be a square arrangement.

[0121] The above-mentioned interpore distance or pitch may vary depending on the pore size. For example, the above-mentioned interpore distance or pitch may be about 1 μm to about 5,000 μm, about 2 μm to about 4,500 μm, about 5 μm to about 4,000 μm, about 5 μm to about 3,500 μm, about 5 μm to about 3,000 μm, about 5 μm to about 2,500 μm, about 5 μm to about 2,000 μm, or about 5 μm to about 1,500 μm. Alternatively, it may be formed to be about 5 μm to about 1,000 μm.

[0122] The diameter (or longest width) of the above pore may be about 1 μm to about 500 μm, about 3 μm to about 500 μm, about 3 μm to about 400 μm, about 3 μm to about 300 μm, about 3 μm to about 200 μm, about 3 μm to about 150 μm, about 5 μm to about 150 μm, about 5 μm to about 120 μm, about 5 μm to about 100 μm, or about 10 μm to about 100 μm.

[0123] The length of the above pores (based on the direction through which the dispersed phase passes) may be about 0.1 μm to about 5000 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 5000 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 4000 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 3000 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 2000 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 1000 μm, or about 1 μm to about 1000 μm. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0124] The above pores can be formed by laser perforation. It is preferable to form the pores to have sharp and distinct (well-defined) edges around the outlet. This shape can provide the effect of minimizing clogging, reducing supply pressure, and maintaining a uniform flow rate.

[0125]

[0126] In one embodiment of the present invention, when a microdroplet outlet (67) or a continuous phase supply port (62) is formed in the center of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30), the microdroplet outlet (67) or the continuous phase supply port (62) is located outside the dispersed phase supply housing (10) (see FIG. 6) or inside the dispersed phase supply housing (10) (see FIG. 4).

[0127] In the case where it is located inside, an isolation channel (40) that isolates the microdroplet outlet (66) or continuous phase supply outlet (62) from the dispersed phase may be further provided.

[0128]

[0129] In one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous phase supply unit (60) or microdroplet discharge unit (65) may be configured to include a ring-shaped sealing member (which may be replaced by a coupling joint that fixes the channel forming plate (20) and the dispersed phase discharge plate (30)) that seals the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) at the outer periphery, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, and one or more continuous phase supply ports (61) or microdroplet discharge ports (66) provided in the sealing member. In this case, it may be preferable to include three or more continuous phase supply ports (61) or microdroplet discharge ports (66).

[0130] In one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous phase supply unit (60) or the microdroplet discharge unit (65) may further comprise a chamber (64) communicating with the outer periphery of the annular microdroplet generating channel (50), as shown in FIG. 7, for supplying the continuous phase or discharging microdroplets. At this time, the chamber (64) may include one or more continuous phase supply ports (63) for supplying the continuous phase to the chamber or one or more microdroplet discharge ports (68) for discharging microdroplets from the chamber (64). The shape of the chamber (64) and the positions of the continuous phase supply ports (63) and microdroplet discharge ports (68) can be efficiently adjusted according to other configurations of the microdroplet manufacturing device.

[0131] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber (64) may be a donut-shaped chamber covering the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50), as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0132]

[0133] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber (64) may be a cover-type chamber that accommodates the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) and the channel forming plate (20), as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0134] The above-described cover-type chamber may be a chamber that covers the channel-forming plate (20) from above with a spaced-apart space and communicates with the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50). At this time, the spaced-apart space may function as a continuous phase supply chamber or a microdroplet discharge chamber, and may also function as a continuous phase supply channel or a microdroplet discharge channel.

[0135] In the above, the channel forming plate (20) has a size such that its outer periphery forms a spaced-apart space from the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber (e.g., the outer periphery of the channel forming plate is received in a spaced-apart state inside the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber on the same line), and the chamber can communicate with the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel (50) through the spaced-apart space.

[0136] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel forming plate (20) has an outer periphery connected to the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber and may have one or more continuous phase supply ports (21) or one or more microdroplet discharge ports (22) around the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber. At this time, it is preferable that three or more of the continuous phase supply ports (21) or microdroplet discharge ports (22) be formed, and the continuous phase supply ports (21) or microdroplet discharge ports (22) may be located between the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber and the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet discharge zone (32) with respect to the vertical direction.

[0137]

[0138] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microdroplet manufacturing device (100) including the cover-type chamber (64) may be configured such that, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the cover-type chamber has a continuous phase supply port (63) and the center of the dispersed phase discharge plate (30) has a microdroplet discharge port (67), and the microdroplet discharge port (67) has an isolation channel (40) passing through a housing.

[0139] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microdroplet manufacturing device (100) including the cover-type chamber (64) may include a channel forming plate (20) having a conical shape or a conical shape with a apex cut off for the efficiency of supplying and distributing a continuous phase.

[0140] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover-type chamber (64) may have a shape such as a cylinder, a polygonal column, or a cone.

[0141]

[0142] The microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention may be suitable for manufacturing microdroplets having a CV (coefficient of variation) of about 5% to about 50%. The CV refers to a coefficient of variation indicating droplet size uniformity, and the coefficient of variation (CV) can be expressed by the following mathematical formula.

[0143] [Mathematical Formula]

[0144]

[0145] Here, σ is the standard deviation of the microdroplet size, and μ is the average of the microdroplet size.

[0146] The microdroplet manufacturing device of the present invention can perform sealing between each component if necessary. In this case, an O-ring may be used for sealing.

[0147]

[0148] In the present invention, the continuous phase and the dispersed phase refer to raw materials for producing an emulsion or microspheres. In the present invention, the microdroplets may be emulsion particles, microspheres, microcapsules, or multiple droplets.

[0149] In the structure of the microdroplet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, configurations known in the art may be employed without limitation, except for the configurations described above. Therefore, a description of such configurations is omitted.

[0150]

[0151] Although the present invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiments mentioned above,

[0152] Various modifications or variations are possible without departing from the essence and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims will include such modifications or variations insofar as they fall within the essence of the invention.

[0153] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0154] 10: Housing 11: Dispersed phase supply port

[0155] 20: Channel forming plate 21: Continuous phase moving channel

[0156] 22: Microdroplet transport channel 23: Guide bar (reinforcement support)

[0157] 30: Dispersed phase discharge plate 32: Ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone

[0158] 33: Dispersed phase discharge pore 40: Isolation channel

[0159] 42: Continuous phase movement guide panel 50: Microdroplet generation channel

[0160] 60: Continuous phase supply section 61, 62, 63: Continuous phase supply port

[0161] 64: Chamber 65: Microdroplet discharge section

[0162] 66, 67, 68: Microdroplet outlets 100: Microdroplet generating device

Claims

1. A dispersed phase supply housing having an open end and one or more dispersed phase supply ports at the other end; A dispersed phase discharge plate having an outer periphery fixed to an open end portion of the dispersed phase supply housing, comprising an internal ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone, and having a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores provided in the dispersed phase discharge zone; A channel forming plate having a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone, provided in a spaced-apart state from the side opposite to the dispersed phase supply housing of the dispersed phase discharge plate; A ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel formed by the above channel forming plate and dispersed phase discharge plate; and A continuous phase supply unit that supplies a continuous phase to the channel from the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel, or a microdroplet discharge unit that discharges microdroplets generated in the channel to the outer periphery of the channel; comprising When a continuous phase supply portion is provided on the outer periphery of the above channel, a microdroplet discharge port is provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate, and A microdroplet manufacturing device having a microdroplet discharge portion provided on the outer periphery of the above channel, and a continuous phase supply port provided at the center of one or more of the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate.

2. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that a microdroplet discharge port or a continuous phase supply port formed at the center of one or more of the above-mentioned channel forming plate and dispersed phase discharge plate is located inside the ring, away from the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone with respect to the vertical direction.

3. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the height of the above-mentioned ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel is controlled by the coupling gap between the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate.

4. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that a plurality of dispersed phase discharge pores provided on the dispersed phase discharge plate are cylindrical, tapered, or polygonal prism-shaped pores.

5. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the open end portion of the dispersed phase supply housing is circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

6. In Paragraph 5, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the channel forming plate and the dispersed phase discharge plate are circular, elliptical, or polygonal plates.

7. In Paragraph 6, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone of the above-mentioned dispersed phase discharge plate has a circular, elliptical, or polygonal ring shape.

8. In Paragraph 1, The open end portion of the above-mentioned dispersed supply housing is in the form of opening one end portion of the ring-shaped space into a ring shape, and A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized by the above-mentioned open end having a size that covers the ring-shaped dispersed phase discharge zone of the dispersed phase discharge plate.

9. In Paragraph 1, When a microdroplet discharge port or a continuous phase supply port is formed in the center of the dispersed phase discharge plate, the microdroplet discharge port or the continuous phase supply port is located outside the dispersed phase supply housing or inside the housing, and A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized by further having an isolation channel that isolates the microdroplet discharge port or continuous phase supply port from the dispersed phase when located inside the above.

10. In Paragraph 9, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the above isolation channel has one end connected to the perimeter of the continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port so as to be in communication with the continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port, and the other end extending in the direction of the dispersed phase supply port.

11. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing apparatus characterized by further having a guide channel for guiding the flow of a mixture of a continuous phase and a dispersed phase on the surface of the channel forming plate toward the dispersed phase discharge plate or on the surface of the channel forming plate toward the dispersed phase discharge plate.

12. In Paragraph 1, The above continuous phase supply unit or microdroplet discharge unit A microdroplet generating device characterized by comprising a ring-shaped sealing member that seals the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel at the outer periphery, and one or more continuous phase supply ports or microdroplet discharge ports provided in the sealing member.

13. In Paragraph 1, A microdroplet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the continuous phase supply unit or microdroplet discharge unit further comprises a chamber communicating with the outer periphery of the annular microdroplet generating channel for supplying a continuous phase or discharging microdroplets, wherein the chamber comprises one or more continuous phase supply ports for supplying a continuous phase to the chamber or one or more microdroplet discharge ports for discharging microdroplets from the chamber.

14. In Paragraph 13, A microdroplet generating device characterized in that the chamber is a donut-shaped chamber covering the outer periphery of a ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel.

15. In Paragraph 13, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the chamber is a cover-type chamber that accommodates the outer periphery of a ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel and the channel forming plate.

16. In Paragraph 15, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the above-described cover-type chamber is a chamber that covers the above-described channel-forming plate with a spaced-apart space from the top and communicates with the outer periphery of the ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel.

17. In Paragraph 16, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the channel forming plate has a size such that its outer periphery forms a spaced-apart space from the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber, and the chamber communicates with a ring-shaped microdroplet generating channel through the spaced-apart space.

18. In Paragraph 16, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the channel forming plate has an outer periphery connected to the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber and has one or more continuous phase supply ports or one or more microdroplet discharge ports around the inner periphery of the cover-type chamber.

19. In Paragraph 18, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the above-mentioned continuous phase supply port or microdroplet discharge port is located between the inner circumference of a cover-type chamber and the outer circumference of a ring-type microdroplet discharge zone with respect to the vertical direction.

20. In Paragraph 16, The above-described cover-type chamber is equipped with a continuous phase supply port for supplying a continuous phase into the chamber, and A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized by the above-mentioned dispersed phase discharge plate having a microdroplet discharge port in the center.

21. In Paragraph 20, The above microdroplet outlet is positioned facing the outside of the dispersed phase supply housing or facing the inside of the housing, and A microdroplet manufacturing apparatus characterized by the fact that, when the microdroplet outlet is positioned toward the interior of the dispersed phase supply housing, an isolation channel passing through the housing is further coupled to the microdroplet outlet.

22. In Paragraph 21, A microdroplet manufacturing device characterized in that the above isolation channel has one end connected to the microdroplet outlet provided in the dispersion phase discharge plate so as to be in communication with the microdroplet outlet, and the other end extending in the direction of the dispersion phase supply port provided in the housing.

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