Microspheres Online

Everything about microspheres and research utilizing precision spherical particles.

Patent Review: Process for forming hollow glass spheres up to 5mm

A process for forming hollow glass micro-spheres with walls of controllably variable thickness in a size range of 50 to 5,000 microns, embodying (1) preparation of a water slurry of finely particulated, high temperature and low temperature glass formers; (2) prilling the slurry in a vertical spray drying tower; (3) separating and supporting the individual prilled feed material; (4) heating the feed material to glassification of the high temperature glass former while maintaining appropriate geometry and shell thickness and (5) cooling the finished product. The high temperature glass former is preferably a naturally occurring soda feldspar. The process is particularly adapted to form thicker walled micro-spheres of larger size and high quality.

FDA-Approved Microspheres

What makes a microsphere FDA-approved?

In order to tell whether the microsphere can be used in cosmetics, food, or medical devices it is important to look at the raw materials that are incorporated into the microsphere during manufacturing process.? For example, unpigmented or clear polyethylene microspheres supplied by Cospheric in sizes from 10 micron to 1000 micron meet the quality requirements of the US FDA as specified in 21 CFR 172.888 and 21 CFR 178.3720.? Specific grade of polyethylene used in manufacturing of these microspheres is? FDA-approved for food applications in chewing gum base, on cheese and raw fruits and vegetables, and as a defoamer in food.

Color additives are subject to a strict system of approval under U.S. law (FD&C Act), sec. 721; 21 U.S.C. 379e. Color additive violations are a common reason for detaining imported cosmetic products offered for entry into this country. If a product contains a color additive, by law [FD&C Act, Sec. 721; 21 U.S.C. 379e; 21 CFR Parts 70 and 80] you must adhere to requirements for:

  • Approval. All color additives used in cosmetics (or any other FDA-regulated product) must be approved by FDA. There must be a regulation specifically addressing a substance’s use as a color additive, specifications, and restrictions.
  • Certification. In addition to approval, a number of color additives must be batch certified by FDA if they are to be used in cosmetics (or any other FDA-regulated product) marketed in the U.S.
  • Identity and specifications. All color additives must meet the requirements for identity and specifications stated in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
  • Use and restrictions. Color additives may be used only for the intended uses stated in the regulations that pertain to them. The regulations also specify other restrictions for certain colors, such as the maximum permissible concentration in the finished product.

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Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets

An extensive market research report titled Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets was recently published by BCC Research marketing firm. The microspheres report examines the spherical microparticles used as components in many advanced materials and composites, in the healthcare and personal care industries, and in many specialty research and development applications. The report estimates the size … Read more

Patent Review: Use of Adsorbent Carbon Microspheres for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

One embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of treating one or more symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome by administering to the subject adsorbent carbon microspheres with a particle size of 0.01mm to about 2 mm to reduce the abdominal discomfort or pain. In one embodiment, the amount of the adsorbent carbon microspheres is sufficient to achieve at least about a 50% reduction in the number of days the subject experiences abdominal pain or discomfort.

Patent Review: Preparation of Swellable and Deformable Microspheres

United States Patent number 7,794,755 was issued on September 14, 2010, describing the process for preparation of swellable and deformable microspheres. The patent is assigned to E.I. du Pont de Nemours and cites Figuly, Mahajan, and Schiffino as inventors.

Microspheres in Cosmetics – Solid Polymer Microspheres for Color Effects

A recent article on microspheres in Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine describes the use Solid Polyethylene Mirospheres for Effects in Color Cosmetics. Microspheres have been used in cosmetics for some time, primarily as fillers and exfoliators. Most recently scientists started to utilize light reflecting properties of microspheres for creating unique optical effects, such as optical blurring … Read more

Chitosan microspheres prepared by spray drying

Spray drying has been used in the production of fine powders from emulsions for many years, but it is not a process in which most people associate the production of microspheres.? This journal article shows how the authors were able to produce highly spherical microspheres in the 2-10um range by controlling the levels of Chitosan and crosslinking agents used.

Chitosan MicrospheresThe key items I found of interest in this article were:

The quality of the microspheres that were produced, as seen the the attached SEM micrograph.

How the process variables did not affect the zeta potential of the microspheres produced (Table 4 below), and how the size can be varied by varying the concentrations of Chitosan or the Molecular weight (MW).

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