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Microfluidic fabrication of polymeric core-shell microspheres for controlled release applications
Tiantian Kong1, Jun Wu2, Kelvin Wai Kwok Yeung2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong ; HKU-Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-ZIRI), 311100 Linan, Zhejiang, China.
Biomicrofluidics
|January 10, 2014
Summary
We developed a microfluidic method to create tunable polymeric core-shell microspheres for drug delivery. Shell material choice significantly impacts release kinetics, enhancing versatility for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymeric microspheres are crucial for drug delivery.
- Controlling drug release profiles is essential for therapeutic efficacy.
- Existing fabrication methods often lack precision and tunability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and robust microfluidic method for fabricating polymeric core-shell microspheres.
- To investigate the influence of shell material on microsphere properties and release kinetics.
- To demonstrate the potential of these core-shell microspheres as versatile drug delivery vehicles.
Main Methods:
- Microfluidic double emulsion technique for precise template control.
- Fabrication of core-shell microspheres with varying shell materials (e.g., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and alginate).
- Characterization of microsphere properties including size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics.
Main Results:
- Precisely controlled core-shell microspheres with narrow size distribution were fabricated.
- Shell material significantly influenced encapsulation efficiency and release profiles.
- Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) shells enhanced hydrophilic active encapsulation, while alginate shells extended hydrophobic active release.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic fabrication offers a versatile platform for creating tunable core-shell microspheres.
- Customizing shell material and thickness allows for tailored drug release kinetics.
- This approach provides new opportunities for advanced drug delivery systems in biomedical applications.
