Automated and reconfigurable platform for niosome generation based on a microfluidic architecture

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Regenerative Medicine
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Niosomes are crucial nanoscale vehicles for localized drug delivery in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine.
• Current methods for niosome generation can be complex and lack on-demand capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel automated microsystem for on-demand niosome generation.
• To investigate the influence of microchannel geometry on niosome size.
• To establish a low-cost fabrication process for the microsystem.

Main Methods:

• An automated microfluidic system was designed using three compact micropumps connected to a microfluidic substrate.
• Niosomes were formulated using cholesterol, dicetyl phosphate, and chloroform.
• The impact of 150 μm pseudo-Y and cross-shaped microchannels on vesicle diameter was evaluated.
• The system was fabricated using a low-cost dry photoresist process.

Main Results:

• The microsystem successfully generated niosome vesicles.
• A Y-shaped microchannel demonstrated reliable results, producing vesicles down to 91 nm in diameter.
• The use of cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate in chloroform yielded effective niosome formulations.

Conclusions:

• The developed automated microsystem offers a viable solution for on-demand niosome generation.
• Microfluidic technology, particularly Y-shaped channels, can precisely control nanoscale vesicle size for drug delivery.
• The low-cost fabrication approach makes this technology accessible for broader applications in nanomedicine.