The present invention relates to methods for producing nanoparticle and microparticle powders of a biologically active material which have improved powder handling properties making the powders suitable for commercial use using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising such materials, medicaments produced using said biologically active materials in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of said biologically active materials administered by way of said medicaments.

A sintered bead and an associated method. The sintered bead has the following chemical composition, as mass percentages on the basis of the oxides: ZrO.sub.2+HfO.sub.2+Y.sub.2O.sub.3+CeO.sub.2: remainder to 100%; 0%≤Al.sub.2O.sub.3≤1.5%; CaO≤2%; oxides other than ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, Y.sub.2O.sub.3, CeO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and CaO: ≤5%. The contents of Y.sub.2O.sub.3 and CeO.sub.2, as molar percentages on the basis of the sum of ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, Y.sub.2O.sub.3 and CeO.sub.2, being such that 1.8%≤Y.sub.2O.sub.3≤2.5% and 0.1%≤CeO.sub.2≤0.9%. The sintered bead has following crystalline phases, as mass percentages on the basis of the crystalline phases and for a total of 100%: stabilized zirconia: remainder to 100%; monoclinic zirconia: ≤10%; crystalline phases other than stabilized zirconia and monoclinic zirconia: <7%.

A particle diameter of a raw material to be pulverized can be decreased within a short time period. A vibration mill includes a container having therein a columnar space with a central axis of the columnar space being almost horizontal while the container is held so as to be vibratable in a direction of within a plane that is almost perpendicular to the central axis, a cylindrical medium disposed in the container so as to be vibratable, and a plurality of pulverizing media disposed inside the cylindrical medium so as to be vibratable. The ratio of an inner diameter of the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium to an outer diameter of the pulverizing medium is 2.1 or more. The integrated value of volumes of the pulverizing media relative to a space volume inside the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium is more than 25%.

A particle diameter of a raw material to be pulverized can be decreased within a short time period. A vibration mill includes a container having therein a columnar space with a central axis of the columnar space being almost horizontal while the container is held so as to be vibratable in a direction of within a plane that is almost perpendicular to the central axis, a cylindrical medium disposed in the container so as to be vibratable, and a plurality of pulverizing media disposed inside the cylindrical medium so as to be vibratable. The ratio of an inner diameter of the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium to an outer diameter of the pulverizing medium is 2.1 or more. The integrated value of volumes of the pulverizing media relative to a space volume inside the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium is more than 25%.

A sample crushing device is provided having a function of stably absorbing vibration of a support member supporting a sample container and vibration of other members which accompanies the vibration. When a rotating shaft 20 is rotated and driven by rotation driving mechanism, revolving motions of a first support member 12 around an axis line C1 of a rotating shaft 20 and rotational movement of an inclined shaft 10 around an axis line C2 arm restrained by a base 1 via first elastic members 14. As a result, the first support member 12 and sample containers 41 are vibrated in plural directions, and samples housed in the sample containers 41 are crushed by crushing media.

Vibration of the first support member 12 in plural directions is absorbed by a base 1 via the first elastic members 14 coupled with each of the first support member 12 and the base 1.

A sample crushing device is provided having a function of stably absorbing vibration of a support member supporting a sample container and vibration of other members which accompanies the vibration. When a rotating shaft 20 is rotated and driven by rotation driving mechanism, revolving motions of a first support member 12 around an axis line C1 of a rotating shaft 20 and rotational movement of an inclined shaft 10 around an axis line C2 arm restrained by a base 1 via first elastic members 14. As a result, the first support member 12 and sample containers 41 are vibrated in plural directions, and samples housed in the sample containers 41 are crushed by crushing media.

Vibration of the first support member 12 in plural directions is absorbed by a base 1 via the first elastic members 14 coupled with each of the first support member 12 and the base 1.

The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of a biologically active material using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising such materials, medicaments produced using said biologically active materials in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of said biologically active materials administered by way of said medicaments.

The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of a biologically active material using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising such materials, medicaments produced using said biologically active materials in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of said biologically active materials administered by way of said medicaments.

A crushing mill with a single roller inside a driven cylindrical shell inner surface, both with horizontal and parallel but offset axes is disclosed. In some embodiments, the roller has protrusions such that as the roller and shell rotate rock or other material may be crushed between the shell and the roller, respectively. In some embodiments, the shell and the roller each have surface protrusions such that rock or other materials may be crushed between the shell and the roller as they rotate. In some embodiments the shell and the roller operate at differential speeds with respect to each other to induce shear forces on the material to be crushed.

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for producing nanometer scale particles for electrochemical materials utilizing an electrosterically stabilized slurry in a media mill. The method includes adding to a media mill a feed substrate suspension including a liquid carrier medium and electrochemical feed substrate particles. The method further includes adding to the feed substrate suspension in the media mill an electrosteric dispersant that includes a polyelectrolyte. Still further, the method includes operating the media mill for a period of time to comminute the feed substrate particles, thereby forming nanometer scale particles having a (D.sub.90) particle size of less than about one micron, and recirculating for further grinding the nanometer scale particles from the media mill.