Adjusting particle size in fluorocarbon nanoemulsions
Inventors
Unger, Evan C. • Marinelli, Edmund
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11826319-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides devices and methods for adjusting particle size in nanoemulsions of fluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons (e.g., perfluoropentane and perfluorohexane) via sonication (e.g., ultrasonication).
Core Innovation
The disclosure relates to methods and devices for rectifying out-of-specification perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions due to growth of particle size. A perfluorocarbon emulsion is enclosed in a sealed vial or a pre-filled syringe and is treated by applying sonication or ultrasonication to reduce particle size to a pre-selected value.
The perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion comprises a perfluorocarbon having from 4 to about 10 carbon atoms in length. The mean particle size is greater than about 1 micron prior to exposure to sonication or ultrasonication and is less than about 500 nm after exposure.
The disclosure further describes implementing the rectification without opening the container and without heating or cooling, using pre-filled syringe/vial configurations with ultrasound transducers. Equipment concepts include in-line ultrasonication using tubing and sealed-container approaches, including an in-syringe approach with integrated transducers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim recites one core method for reducing particle size of an out-of-spec perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion enclosed in a sealed vial or pre-filled syringe, using sonication or ultrasonication to reach a pre-selected particle size target. Dependent claims refine the method by specifying a frequency range, particular perfluorocarbons, and PEG Telomer B.
Sealed-container sonication to adjust out-of-spec particle size
Applying sonication or ultrasonication to a perfluorocarbon emulsion enclosed in a sealed vial or pre-filled syringe for a time duration sufficient to adjust the particle size of the perfluorocarbon emulsion to a pre-selected value, where the mean particle size is greater than about 1 micron prior to exposure and less than about 500 nm after exposure.
Carbon-length restricted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion
The perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion comprises a perfluorocarbon having from 4 to about 10 carbon atoms in length, with the mean particle size specified as greater than about 1 micron prior to sonication or ultrasonication and less than about 500 nm after.
Sonication or ultrasonication frequency from 10 KHz to 10 MHz
The method specifies that the sonication or ultrasonication is performed at a frequency from about 10 KHz to about 10 MHz.
Perfluoropentane and perfluorohexane selection
The perfluorocarbon includes perfluoropentane and perfluorohexane.
PEG Telomer B in the perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion
The perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion further includes PEG Telomer B.
Across the independent claim and its dependencies, the coverage centers on reducing particle size of an out-of-spec perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion by sealed-container sonication or ultrasonication to reach a pre-selected target, with specified particle-size thresholds and dependent narrowing by frequency, perfluorocarbon selection, and PEG Telomer B.
Stated Advantages
Rectification of an out-of-spec perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion due to growth of particle size.
Reduction of mean particle size from greater than about 1 micron to less than about 500 nm after sonication or ultrasonication.
Documented Applications
Rectifying out-of-spec perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions caused by particle size growth.
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