Solvent extraction from biodegradable microparticles

摘要

Embodiments may include a method for reducing a solvent concentration in a plurality of microparticles. The method may involve contacting a mixture including the plurality of microparticles and the solvent with water to form an aqueous suspension. A first portion of the solvent may dissolve into the water of the aqueous suspension to reduce the solvent concentration in the plurality of microparticles from a first solvent concentration in the mixture to a second solvent concentration in the aqueous suspension. The method may also include transferring the aqueous suspension to a concentration unit that may further reduce the solvent concentration from the second solvent concentration to a third solvent concentration. The method may further include transferring a microparticle concentrate with the third solvent concentration to a washing unit to form an amalgam of washed microparticles with a fourth solvent concentration. The method may also include drying the amalgam of washed microparticles.

主权项

1. A method for reducing a solvent concentration in a plurality of microparticles, the method comprising:
contacting a mixture comprising the plurality of microparticles and the solvent with water to form an aqueous suspension, wherein a first portion of the solvent dissolves into the water of the aqueous suspension to reduce the solvent concentration in the plurality of microparticles from a first solvent concentration in the mixture to a second solvent concentration in the aqueous suspension; transferring the aqueous suspension to a concentration unit that further reduces the solvent concentration in the plurality of microparticles from the second solvent concentration to a third solvent concentration by:
(i) introducing additional water to the aqueous suspension in the concentration unit; and(ii) removing at least a portion of the water and at least a portion of the solvent from the aqueous suspension in the concentration unit, wherein the additional water is introduced at a slower rate than the water and the solvent are removed from the concentration unit to form a microparticle concentrate with the third solvent concentration; transferring the microparticle concentrate to a washing unit, wherein the microparticle concentrate is contacted with a washing solution to form an amalgam of washed microparticles with a fourth solvent concentration; and drying the amalgam of washed microparticles to form the plurality of microparticles with a reduced solvent concentration.