Supercritical fluid technology is a well documented and emergent technology used in many industries today for the formation of micro- and nano- particles. The use of supercritical fluids allows synthesis of various types of particles since their properties can be varied with temperature or pressure, which sequentially can control the physical and chemical properties of the particles produced. Several different processes designed to generate powders and composites using supercritical fluids have been proposed in the past 20 years which can be used to synthesize materials with high performance specifications and unique functionality. In this research work, an extrusion micronization process using supercritical fluid has been proposed. This powder production technique could be a promising alternative to conventional techniques in terms of improvement in product quality as it provides a better control over particle size, morphology and particle size distribution, without degradation or contamination of the product. In addition, as extrusion is globally used for polymer production and processing, particle production by extrusion will allow production and processing in a single process step, eliminating the need for secondary particle production methods. The micronization process designed and described in this thesis involves a twin screw extruder equipped with a converging die and a high resistance spraying nozzle for particle production. A special CO2 injection device and polymer collection chamber was designed for CO2 supply and powder collection. To ensure complete dissolution of CO2 into the polymer matrix, stable injection of CO2, pressure generation and constant spray of micronized polymer particles, a special screw configuration was carefully designed for the extrusion process. The feasibility and the performance of this process have been demonstrated by experimental studies performed with low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Carbon dioxide at supercritical conditions was used as a solvent for processing the polymer. The generated polyethylene particles from the polyethylene wax/carbon dioxide solution system were analyzed and studied using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, capillary rheometer and differential scanning calorimeter. A detailed study on the effects of the processing parameters, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate and supercritical fluid on properties of polyethylene particle produced was carried out. The particle size data collected using an optical microscope indicate a significant impact of temperature and CO2 content on particle size. The obtained size data were utilized to generate particle size distribution plots and studied to analyze the effect of the processing variables. It was found that particle size distribution is affected by processing temperature and CO2 content. Studies of the SEM images reveal that the morphology of particles can be controlled by varying processing variables like temperature, polymer feed rate and CO2 content. The particles generated during this study indicate that particle production in an extrusion process using supercritical carbon dioxide is achievable and appears to be a promising alternative to conventional polymer particle production methods such as grinding, milling and other supercritical fluid-based precipitation methods. To validate and generalize the applicability of this process, micronization of other polymeric material should be performed. Commercialization of this technology will further require predictability and consistency of the characteristics of the product, for which a detailed understanding of the influence of all relevant process variables is necessary. In addition, development of theoretical models will further assist in the scale-up and commercialization of this supercritical fluid assisted micronization technology in the near future.

Supercritical fluid technology is a well documented and emergent technology used in many industries today for the formation of micro- and nano- particles. The use of supercritical fluids allows synthesis of various types of particles since their properties can be varied with temperature or pressure, which sequentially can control the physical and chemical properties of the particles produced. Several different processes designed to generate powders and composites using supercritical fluids have been proposed in the past 20 years which can be used to synthesize materials with high performance specifications and unique functionality. In this research work, an extrusion micronization process using supercritical fluid has been proposed. This powder production technique could be a promising alternative to conventional techniques in terms of improvement in product quality as it provides a better control over particle size, morphology and particle size distribution, without degradation or contamination of the product. In addition, as extrusion is globally used for polymer production and processing, particle production by extrusion will allow production and processing in a single process step, eliminating the need for secondary particle production methods. The micronization process designed and described in this thesis involves a twin screw extruder equipped with a converging die and a high resistance spraying nozzle for particle production. A special CO2 injection device and polymer collection chamber was designed for CO2 supply and powder collection. To ensure complete dissolution of CO2 into the polymer matrix, stable injection of CO2, pressure generation and constant spray of micronized polymer particles, a special screw configuration was carefully designed for the extrusion process. The feasibility and the performance of this process have been demonstrated by experimental studies performed with low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Carbon dioxide at supercritical conditions was used as a solvent for processing the polymer. The generated polyethylene particles from the polyethylene wax/carbon dioxide solution system were analyzed and studied using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, capillary rheometer and differential scanning calorimeter. A detailed study on the effects of the processing parameters, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate and supercritical fluid on properties of polyethylene particle produced was carried out. The particle size data collected using an optical microscope indicate a significant impact of temperature and CO2 content on particle size. The obtained size data were utilized to generate particle size distribution plots and studied to analyze the effect of the processing variables. It was found that particle size distribution is affected by processing temperature and CO2 content. Studies of the SEM images reveal that the morphology of particles can be controlled by varying processing variables like temperature, polymer feed rate and CO2 content. The particles generated during this study indicate that particle production in an extrusion process using supercritical carbon dioxide is achievable and appears to be a promising alternative to conventional polymer particle production methods such as grinding, milling and other supercritical fluid-based precipitation methods. To validate and generalize the applicability of this process, micronization of other polymeric material should be performed. Commercialization of this technology will further require predictability and consistency of the characteristics of the product, for which a detailed understanding of the influence of all relevant process variables is necessary. In addition, development of theoretical models will further assist in the scale-up and commercialization of this supercritical fluid assisted micronization technology in the near future.

No description available.

Drug re-engineering is an effective method for engineering existing products in alternative dosage forms and with enhanced pharmacokinetics. Insulin for the management of diabetic symptoms is an ideal candidate for re-engineering. Current subcutaneous therapy results in low patient compliance and is ineffective in meeting the physiological need for post-prandial insulin. Implementation of dose titration for more efficient blood-glucose management is also inconvenient and uncomfortable. Inhaled insulin is presented as a superior alternative to current therapy. The lungs offer excellent access to the circulatory system. Aerosols suspended in inspired air may deposit on lung epithelia and be available for systemic absorption. To evade the defense mechanism of the human respiratory tract, particle sizes have traditionally been minimized to achieve necessary aerosol performance. Recent developments indicate that more efficient performance augmentation may also be achieved by decreasing the bulk density of powders and modifying surface characteristics. Light and fluffy powders with rough surfaces experience much higher drag forces within an airstream. The Atomized Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE) process is a unique precipitation platform devised by incorporating a rapid injection technique for energetic solution delivery into supercritical fluid (SCF) media to effect recovery of previously dissolved pharmaceutical compounds. The quasi-instantaneous delivery of solutions alleviates the drawbacks of the use of capillary nozzles or micro-orifices, gradual elution and mixing controlled precipitation kinetics in existing SCF precipitation techniques. Most importantly, the energetic release of solution into SCF media effects supersaturation over a much larger spatial volume and promotes the homogeneous precipitation of low bulk density powders. ARISE processed insulin powders displayed characteristics that were highly influenced by anti-solvent conditions and powders of different qualities were obtained as a function of anti-solvent pressures. At lower anti-solvent pressures, powders of narrow particle size distribution were achieved, an indication of homogeneous supersaturation levels within processing. Span, the index of size distribution was as low as 0.991. At higher anti-solvent pressures, supersaturation rates were increased while mixing efficiencies decreased, resulting in powders of wider size distribution, and powder bulk densities as low as 0.01 g/ml. Low bulk density insulin displayed in-vitro respirable fractions as high as 78%.

Drug re-engineering is an effective method for engineering existing products in alternative dosage forms and with enhanced pharmacokinetics. Insulin for the management of diabetic symptoms is an ideal candidate for re-engineering. Current subcutaneous therapy results in low patient compliance and is ineffective in meeting the physiological need for post-prandial insulin. Implementation of dose titration for more efficient blood-glucose management is also inconvenient and uncomfortable. Inhaled insulin is presented as a superior alternative to current therapy. The lungs offer excellent access to the circulatory system. Aerosols suspended in inspired air may deposit on lung epithelia and be available for systemic absorption. To evade the defense mechanism of the human respiratory tract, particle sizes have traditionally been minimized to achieve necessary aerosol performance. Recent developments indicate that more efficient performance augmentation may also be achieved by decreasing the bulk density of powders and modifying surface characteristics. Light and fluffy powders with rough surfaces experience much higher drag forces within an airstream. The Atomized Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE) process is a unique precipitation platform devised by incorporating a rapid injection technique for energetic solution delivery into supercritical fluid (SCF) media to effect recovery of previously dissolved pharmaceutical compounds. The quasi-instantaneous delivery of solutions alleviates the drawbacks of the use of capillary nozzles or micro-orifices, gradual elution and mixing controlled precipitation kinetics in existing SCF precipitation techniques. Most importantly, the energetic release of solution into SCF media effects supersaturation over a much larger spatial volume and promotes the homogeneous precipitation of low bulk density powders. ARISE processed insulin powders displayed characteristics that were highly influenced by anti-solvent conditions and powders of different qualities were obtained as a function of anti-solvent pressures. At lower anti-solvent pressures, powders of narrow particle size distribution were achieved, an indication of homogeneous supersaturation levels within processing. Span, the index of size distribution was as low as 0.991. At higher anti-solvent pressures, supersaturation rates were increased while mixing efficiencies decreased, resulting in powders of wider size distribution, and powder bulk densities as low as 0.01 g/ml. Low bulk density insulin displayed in-vitro respirable fractions as high as 78%.

This thesis examines the process through which computers became a part of the Swedish healthcare system. The empirical basis of the study consists of discussions emanating from projects concerned with the opportunities offered by the new technology between 1962 and 1968, mainly in conjunction to the Swedish council of hospital rationalization (SJURA). The study argues that computers should be understood as a “fluid technology”, one that is flexible and adaptable to its surroundings, while still retaining its mechanical core as a mathematical tool. The thesis shows that the technology was given a meaning which suited the demands of the new context: computers were able to answer the acute problems of health care, which were perceived as an abundance of information and a shortage of labour. Advocates of computers in healthcare equaled healthcare problems with information problems; the latter could only be solved with the help of computers. Thus, the technology was created within the definition of the problem. Computers were also thought of as a novel aid allowing physicians to create useful knowledge, and ideas about medical knowledge were articulated as a response to the introduction of the new technology. Computers simplified quantitative measures and it was anticipated they would provide means with which to calculate the value of health care. Thus, the value of care was redefined with numbers, turning the existential value of the patient into a more distant notion. The art of medicine had to be explained so that the computer would be able to process it – it was necessary to transform patient histories into binary language. This thesis illustrates how the support of introducing computers also meant that a certain type of medical knowledge was favoured; it was the capabilities of the computer which set the standard. By historicizing the role of computers within healthcare, the thesis shows how technologies are adaptable to the demands of their surroundings, and how they contrariwise also affect their surroundings.

No description available.