Liposome Dispersion via Impinging Jet Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of liposomal products is complex and often requires multiple steps, making large-scale implementation difficult and time-consuming, particularly when dealing with poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients that require nanosizing and encapsulation for enhanced bioavailability and stability.
Innovation Solution
A one-step continuous process using a precipitation device with impinging jets, where an organic solvent stream and a water stream, both containing amphiphilic lipids, are ejected through pinholes and collide at an angle of approximately 180° to produce liposome dispersions, allowing for controlled particle size and drug loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-step methods are used for liposome production, then encapsulation of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients can be achieved, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional production steps into a single continuous flow reactor system. The organic solvent stream containing lipids and active pharmaceutical ingredient, and the aqueous stream are merged and collided simultaneously in one reactor chamber, achieving encapsulation, nanosizing, and mixing in a single operation rather than sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the organic solvent stream and aqueous stream in advance with predetermined compositions and flow rates. The streams are pre-equilibrated and then introduced into the collision reactor, allowing the actual encapsulation process to proceed efficiently without intermediate adjustments or steps.
2Reliability
If particle size is reduced for nanosizing active pharmaceutical ingredients, then bioavailability is enhanced, but sterile filtration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the collision parameters (flow rate, pressure, nozzle diameter) to produce particles within a specific size range (50-500 nm) that balances bioavailability enhancement with filterability. By optimizing these parameters, the particle size is kept small enough for improved dissolution but large enough to pass through sterile filters.
3Manufacturing precision
If jet impingement reactor is used for solvent/nonsolvent precipitation, then particle size is reduced to nanometer range, but product loss during filtration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the collision angle (approximately 180°), flow rates, and nozzle dimensions to produce particles with a narrow size distribution centered in the 50-500 nm range. This precise control minimizes the proportion of particles that are too small to be retained by filters, thereby reducing product loss during filtration while maintaining nanosizing benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of stable liposome dispersions with controlled particle size and drug loading, enhancing bioavailability and stability, suitable for both parenteral and oral administration, while minimizing product loss during filtration and improving scalability.
Implementation Method 1
a first stream (a) comprising an organic solvent, providing a second stream (b) comprising water, wherein at least one of the first stream (a) and the second stream (b) comprises the at least one amphiphilic lipid, ejecting the first stream (a) and the second stream (b) through pinholes, and colliding the first stream (a) and the second stream (b) at an angle of approximately 180°, whereby the liposome dispersion comprising the at least one amphiphilic lipid is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a liposome dispersion comprising at least one amphiphilic lipid, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a first stream (a) comprising an organic solvent, providing a second stream (b) comprising water, wherein at least one of first stream (a) and second stream (b) comprises the at least one amphiphilic lipid, ejecting the first stream (a) and the second stream (b) through pinholes, and frontally colliding the first stream (a) and the second stream (b), whereby the liposome dispersion comprising the at least one amphiphilic lipid is obtained.