Coaxial nozzle configuration and methods thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for coaxial nozzles, capsule fabrication systems comprising coaxial nozzles, and methods of capsule fabrication using capsule fabrication systems. In certain embodiments, coaxial nozzle configurations, capsule fabrication systems, and methods as described herein can be used for multi-layered capsule fabrication.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A coaxial nozzle, comprising:
 a core channel, an annular channel, and a sheath channel.   
     
     
         2 . The coaxial nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more outlet nozzles. 
     
     
         3 . The coaxial nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the core channel, the annular channel, and the sheath channel each further comprise an inlet configured to receive fluid. 
     
     
         4 . A capsule fabrication system comprising:
 a coaxial nozzle, wherein the coaxial nozzle comprises a core channel, an annular channel, and a sheath channel, and wherein the coaxial nozzle is configured to output one or more capsules;   a collection bath configured to receive one or more capsules from the coaxial nozzle.   
     
     
         5 . The capsule fabrication system of  claim 4 , further comprising a vibrator attached to or in physical communication with the coaxial nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule fabrication system of  claim 4 , further comprising a fluid delivery system configured to deliver fluid to one or more of the core channel, the annular channel, and the sheath channel. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule fabrication system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more capsules are one or more multi-layered capsules. 
     
     
         8 . A method for capsule fabrication, comprising:
 presenting a capsule fabrication system, wherein the capsule fabrication system comprises:
 a coaxial nozzle, wherein the coaxial nozzle comprises a core channel, an annular channel, and a sheath channel, and wherein the coaxial nozzle is configured to output one or more capsules; 
 wherein the core channel, the annular channel, and the sheath channel each further comprise an inlet configured to receive fluid; and 
 a collection bath configured to receive one or more capsules from the coaxial nozzle; 
   initiating capsule fabrication, comprising delivering fluid to one or more of the core channel, the annular channel, and the sheath channel of the capsule fabrication system;   forming a compound flow from the fluid delivered to the one or more channels, wherein the compound flow comprises one or more of a core flow, an annular flow, and a sheath flow;   introducing a vibration to the compound flow, developing the one or more capsules;   introducing the one or more capsules to a collection bath comprising a crosslinking agent; and   crosslinking the one or more capsules to form one or more stabilized capsules.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the capsule fabrication system further comprises a fluid delivery system. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more capsules or one or more stabilized capsules are multi-layered capsules. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more capsules or one or more stabilized capsules are multi-layered capsules. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more capsules or one or more stabilized capsules are multi-layered capsules having a core-shell-shell structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the crosslinking agent is Ca 2+ . 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid comprises alginate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid comprises CaCl 2 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid delivered to the core channel is different from the fluid delivered to the annular channel, the sheath channel, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule fabrication system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more capsules are one or more multi-layered capsules having a core-shell-shell structure.