Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods that enable the continuous formation of droplets and dehydration of droplets to provide pharmaceutically relevant particles that can be used for therapy. In particular, the methods disclosed herein allow the controlled continuous droplet formation and dehydration that produce circular particles having low internal void spaces comprising bioactive therapeutic biologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and drying a product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container having a plurality of porous walls and a plurality of solid walls that divide the container into a plurality of product chambers, a plurality of vacuum chambers, and, preferably, a plurality of heat transfer chambers. Each product chamber shares at least one porous wall with an adjacent vacuum chamber. Each product chamber preferably shares at least one solid wall with an adjacent heat transfer chamber. According to the method of the present invention, a product is introduced into the product chambers, where the product is held while a substance is filtered from the product through the porous walls and the product is dried by reducing the pressure in the vacuum chambers and the product chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and drying a product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container having a plurality of porous walls and a plurality of solid walls that divide the container into a plurality of product chambers, a plurality of vacuum chambers, and, preferably, a plurality of heat transfer chambers. Each product chamber shares at least one porous wall with an adjacent vacuum chamber. Each product chamber preferably shares at least one solid wall with an adjacent heat transfer chamber. According to the method of the present invention, a product is introduced into the product chambers, where the product is held while a substance is filtered from the product through the porous walls and the product is dried by reducing the pressure in the vacuum chambers and the product chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer-based sustained release device, and methods of forming and using the device for the sustained release of an active agent. The improved method of the invention for forming a polymer-based sustained release device comprises forming a polymer/active agent solution by mixing a polymer, a continuous phase, and an active agent. The continuous phase can comprise one or more polymer solvents, a polymer solvent/polymer non-solvent mixture, or a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent mixture. When the continuous phase comprises a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent, the active agent can also be present as a microparticulate rather than in solution. The continuous phase is then removed from the polymer/active agent solution, thereby forming a solid polymer/active agent matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer-based sustained release device, and methods of forming and using the device for the sustained release of an active agent. The improved method of the invention for forming a polymer-bases sustained release device comprises forming a polymer/active agent solution by mixing a polymer, a continuous phase, and an active agent. The continuous phase can comprise one or more polymer solvents, a polymer solvent/polymer non-solvent mixture, or a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent mixture. When the continuous phase comprises a polymer solvent/active agent non-solvent, the active agent can also be present as a microparticulate rather than in solution. The continuous phase is then removed from the polymer/active agent solution, thereby forming a solid polymer/active agent matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, whereby the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then contacted with a liquid non-solvent to extract the solvent into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: A process for preparing biodegradable microparticles comprising a biodegradable polymeric binder and a biologically active agent. A first phase, comprising the active agent and the polymer, and a second phase are pumped through a static mixer into a quench liquid to form microparticles containing the active agent. Preferably, a blend of at least two substantially non-toxic solvents, free of halogenated hydrocarbons, is used to dissolve or disperse the agent and dissolve the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing biodegradable microparticles comprising a biodegradable polymeric binder and a biologically active agent, wherein a blend of at least two substantially non-toxic solvents, free of halogenated hydrocarbons, is used to dissolve or disperse the agent and dissolve the polymer. The solvent blend containing the agent and polymer is dispersed in an aqueous solution to form microdroplets. The resulting emulsion is then added to an extraction medium preferably containing at least one of the solvents of the blend, whereby the rate of extraction of each solvent is controlled, whereupon the biodegradable microparticles containing the biologically active agent are formed.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle having two pairs of ground wheels movable to effect steering of the vehicle, the wheels of each pair being mounted at opposite sides of the vehicle chassis, at least one pair of wheels being lockable in a position so that steering is effected solely by the other pair of wheels wherein sensor means are provided associated with each of the two pairs of wheels to provide an electrical signal to a control means when the respective wheels are in an aligned position in which their axes of rotation are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the control means including a selector means comprising electrical switch means to enable an operator to select simple steering mode in which only one of the pairs of wheels are movable to effect steering, or a compound steering mode in which both of the pairs of wheels are movable to effect steering, the control means further comprising means to maintain the selected steering mode until an alternative steering mode is selected by operat

Abstract: Coextruded monofilament fishline having a core of polymer having a wet initial tensile modulus greater than that of the sheath.

Abstract: A plow beam 4 is coupled to a tractor chassis 1 by a three-point linkage having a top link 9 and two bottom links 3. The top link 9 is a double acting control ram 23 which has hydraulic couplings 26,28,25 and 27 which cross-couple the control ram 23 to a double acting sensor ram 21 so that expansion of one ram produces contraction of the other. The sensor ram 21 is coupled between a pivot 17 at the head of the lift rod 18 of a conventional lift mechanism for the plow, and a pivot 22 on the tractor chassis. Movement of the lift rod 18 due to height variation of the plow beam 4 actuates the sensor ram 21 to vary the length of the top link 9, so as to vary the pitch attitude of the plow. Good land profile following is achieved by a high rate of change of pitch at normal working depth. A lower rate of change is achieved as the plow is raised out of work.