Apparatus and methods for preparing an emulsion

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for producing emulsions, and, in particular, for maintaining laminar flow during production of emulsions containing microsuspensions.

1 . A column for receiving a packing material, the column having a longitudinal axis and a periphery defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity having a longitudinal length; the packing material configured to permit fluid flow through the column along the longitudinal axis, the column comprising:
 an inlet in fluid communication with the interior cavity, wherein the inlet is configured to receive at least one fluid;   an outlet in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and   at least one divider positioned within the interior cavity, each divider of the at least one divider extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the interior cavity,   wherein the at least one divider is configured to partition the packing material and direct fluid flow therethrough the interior cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one divider comprises a plurality of dividers secured thereto the periphery of the column. 
     
     
         3 . The column of  claim 2 , wherein each divider of the plurality of dividers extends inwardly from the periphery of the column substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         4 . The column of  claim 3 , wherein at least two dividers of the plurality of dividers intersect within the interior cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The column of  claim 4 , wherein all of the plurality of dividers intersect within the interior cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The column of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of dividers extend substantially helically along the longitudinal length of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The column of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of dividers comprises four dividers. 
     
     
         8 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity of the column has a diameter, and wherein the at least one divider comprises at least one cylindrical divider having a longitudinal axis and a diameter, wherein the diameter of each cylindrical divider is less than the diameter of the interior cavity of the column, and wherein each cylindrical divider is secured within the interior cavity such that the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical divider is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         9 . The column of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one cylindrical divider comprises a plurality of cylindrical dividers having incrementally decreasing diameters, and wherein the plurality of cylindrical dividers are secured within the interior cavity such that the cylindrical dividers are radially spaced from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         10 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one divider extends along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one divider is spaced from the inlet of the column. 
     
     
         12 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one divider is spaced from the outlet of the column. 
     
     
         13 . The column of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of dividers comprises:
 at least one divider extending along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the interior cavity; and   at least one divider extending along only a portion of the longitudinal length of the interior cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The column of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of dividers are staggered along the longitudinal length of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         15 - 29 . (canceled)