CA2378430A1 — Methods and apparatus for preparation of lipid vesicles

USPTO Abstract

Improved production of lipid vesicles is achieved using an apparatus for preparation of a lipid vesicle that includes: (a) a first reservoir for receiving a buffer composition; (b) a static mixer for agitating buffer composition in the first reservoir; (c) a second reservoir for receiving a lipid solution; (d) a dispensing head for introducing lipid solution from th e second reservoir into the first reservoir, and (e) a connector joining the second reservoir to the dispensing head for conducting lipid solution from t he second reservoir to the dispensing head. The dispensing head has formed therein one or more injection ports having a diameter of 2 mm or less. To us e the apparatus, one first prepares a solution of ethanolic lipid comprising from about 1 to about 100 mg/ml lipid in at least 90% by weight ethanol. Thi s ethanolic lipid is injected directly into aqueous buffer through the injecti on port to make a lipid/buffer mixture, which is mixed by turbulent passage through a static mixer. The resulting lipid vesicles, prior to an extrusion step, are in about 10 % or more by weight ethanol, and have average diameter of from about 80 nm to about 200 nm.