Plasma Polymerization Apparatus with Cooling and Confinement Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanoparticle-based therapeutics and diagnostics face challenges in achieving robust and efficient conjugation with pharmaceutical agents, leading to limitations in targeted delivery and stability, particularly for nucleic acids like DNA and siRNA, due to complex and time-consuming surface chemistry protocols, and inefficient collection methods for plasma polymer nanoparticles (PPN) formed in dusty plasmas.
Innovation Solution
A plasma polymerization apparatus and method that includes a reaction zone with gas inlets, electrodes to generate an electric field, collectors for nanoparticle collection, and a cooling device, along with a confinement grid, to efficiently form and collect plasma-polymer nanoparticulate materials with tunable properties, enabling simple and effective functionalization and improved yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surface chemistry protocols are used to functionalize nanoparticles, then conjugation with pharmaceutical agents can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the nanoparticle surface by using plasma polymerization to create surfaces with specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) that enable direct conjugation. This transforms the surface chemistry from inert to reactive, allowing simple one-step conjugation protocols while maintaining robust binding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex multi-step functionalization protocol and replaces it with a single plasma treatment step followed by direct conjugation. This removes the intermediate functionalization steps while achieving the same or better conjugation results
2Adaptability or versatility
If plasma polymer nanoparticulate material is formed in dusty plasmas, then multifunctional nanoparticles can be produced, but collection efficiency is low and aggregation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical collection methods with electric field-based collection. Charged nanoparticles are collected using electrostatic attraction to charged substrates, which significantly improves collection efficiency and reduces aggregation compared to physical filtration or centrifugation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the charged state of nanoparticles in plasma as a key property for collection. By maintaining nanoparticles in a charged phase during formation, they can be directly collected via electrostatic methods without requiring phase change or additional processing steps
3Quantity of substance
If conventional collection methods are used for plasma polymer nanoparticles, then nanoparticles can be recovered, but size polydispersity increases and aggregation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical collection (filtration, centrifugation) with electric field-based collection methods. The electric field exerts force on charged nanoparticles without physical contact or aggregation-inducing mechanical stress, preserving size uniformity while achieving high recovery yields
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 approach allows for the production of multifunctional nanoparticles capable of targeted therapy, diagnostics, and imaging, with enhanced stability and bioavailability, and improves the collection efficiency of PPN, reducing aggregation and size polydispersity, thereby addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart and configured to generate an electric field in the reaction zone to form plasma polymer nanoparticulate material from the at least one monomer
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device located adjacent the second electrode and configured to cool the plurality of collectors
Data Source
AI summary
Plasma polymerisation apparatus is disclosed including a reaction zone and at least one gas inlet for supplying at least one monomer in a gaseous form to the reaction zone, a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart and configured to generate an electric field in the reaction zone to form plasma polymer nanoparticulate material from the at least one monomer, a plurality of collectors configured to collect plasma-polymer nanoparticulate material formed in the reaction zone, the plurality of collectors being located adjacent the second electrode, and a cooling device located adjacent the second electrode and configured to cool the plurality of collectors. Also disclosed is plasma polymerisation apparatus that includes a confinement grid extending between a first electrode and a second electrode of the apparatus.