US Patent 8207290 - Generating polymeric nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8207290.html

Polymeric nanoparticles can be used for nanoscale drug delivery systems but there is difficulty in controlling the particles size and uniformity. This patent from Cerulean Pharma teaches a new forming process that enables more control over the size of nanoparticles. Claim 1 reads:

1. A process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, comprising:

introducing an anti-solvent into a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of the anti-solvent,

introducing a polymer-carrying liquid into said mixed flowing stream of the anti-solvent so as to form polymeric nanoparticles.