Membrane-Coated Nanoparticle Preparation With TFF Solvent Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing nanoparticles and cellular or viral membranes are inefficient in removing organic solvents and separating membrane components, leading to impurities and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a multi-inlet vortexing reactor to mix nanoparticle materials in organic solvent and aqueous phases, followed by tangential flow filtration (TFF) to reduce solvent content, and employing high shear fluid processors for membrane coating, enabling efficient solvent removal and membrane separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to prepare nanoparticles and separate membrane components, then the process is simple, but the purity is reduced and impurities remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nanoparticle preparation process into distinct stages: (1) nanoparticle formation in organic solvent, (2) solvent removal via tangential flow filtration, and (3) membrane separation using ultrafiltration. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high purity while maintaining manageable process complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tangential flow filtration as an intermediary step between nanoparticle formation and final purification. This intermediate process selectively removes organic solvent while retaining nanoparticles, acting as a mediator that enables subsequent membrane separation without direct contamination, thereby achieving high purity
2Productivity
If organic solvent is used to form nanoparticles, then nanoparticle formation is efficient, but solvent removal becomes difficult and impurities remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by adjusting pH, ionic strength, and temperature during tangential flow filtration to optimize solvent removal. By modifying these parameters, the process achieves complete solvent removal while maintaining nanoparticle stability and formation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical solvent removal methods with tangential flow filtration, which uses semi-permeable membranes to selectively remove solvent through pressure-driven flow. This substitution enables complete solvent removal without compromising nanoparticle integrity or requiring energy-intensive evaporation processes
3Manufacturing precision
If membrane separation is performed, then purity is improved, but membrane damage and loss of integrity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic ultrafiltration cycles with controlled pressure variations to separate membrane components. By applying pressure intermittently rather than continuously, the process achieves effective separation while preventing membrane damage and maintaining integrity through rest periods between filtration cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-treatment steps before membrane separation, including gradual pressure increase and temperature stabilization, to cushion the membrane against sudden stress. This beforehand cushioning prevents membrane damage during the separation process while maintaining separation efficiency
4Manufacturing precision
If high shear fluid processing is used for membrane coating, then coating uniformity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic shear rate control in the high shear fluid processor, adjusting shear intensity based on the coating stage. During initial mixing, high shear provides uniform coating, while reduced shear in later stages maintains uniformity with lower energy consumption, optimizing the balance between coating quality and energy use
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 process achieves high-purity nanoparticles and membrane-coated nanoparticles with controlled size and monodispersity, enhancing their therapeutic efficacy and application potential.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a material for forming a nanoparticle in an organic solvent and an aqueous phase using a multi-inlet vortexing reactor
Implementation Method 2
subjecting said composition to tangential flow filtration (TFF) to reduce the amount of or to remove said organic solvent from said composition
Implementation Method 3
mixing a nanoparticle inner core comprising a non-cellular material with a cellular membrane derived from a cell or a membrane derived from a virus using a high shear fluid processor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.