Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: Commercially feasible methods for lyophobic precipitation of liquid-dispersed or dissolved material (e.g., medicaments) are provided wherein a plurality of individual, open containers (22) each containing a quantity (84) of a solution or dispersion are treated within a common pressurizable chamber (12). In this process, desired near-supercritical or supercritical temperature and pressure conditions are established for a selected antisolvent gas such as carbon dioxide, and an ultrasonic device (14) is actuated to generate high energy ultrasonic waves in the chamber (12). This leads to intense mixing of the antisolvent with the liquid solution or dispersion within the containers (22), with consequent solvent removal and material precipitation.

Abstract: Commercially feasible methods for lyophobic precipitation of liquid-dispersed or dissolved material (e.g., medicaments) are provided wherein a plurality of individual, open containers (22) each containing a quantity (84) of a solution or dispersion are treated within a common pressurizable chamber (12). In this process, desired near-supercritical or supercritical temperature and pressure conditions are established for a selected antisolvent gas such as carbon dioxide, and an ultrasonic device (14) is actuated to generate high energy ultrasonic waves in the chamber (12). This leads to intense mixing of the antisolvent with the liquid solution or dispersion within the containers (22), with consequent solvent removal and material precipitation.

Abstract: A process for forming small micron-sized (1-10 &mgr;m) protein particles is provided wherein a protein, a solvent system for the protein and an antisolvent for the protein solvent system are contacted under conditions to at least partially dissolve the protein solvent system in the antisolvent, thereby causing precipitation of the protein. The solvent system is made up of at least in part of a halogenated organic alcohol, most preferably 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). Preferably, a solution of the protein in the solvent system is sprayed through a nozzle into a precipitation zone containing the antisolvent (preferably CO2) under near- or supercritical conditions.