Using a CD-like microfluidic platform for uniform calcium alginate drug carrier generation

Abstract

In this paper the manipulation of monodisperse Ca-alginate microparticles using a polymer'-based CD-like microfluidic platform and a reaction of external gelation is presented. Our strategy was based on associating the rapid injection molding process for cross-junction microchannel with the sheath focusing effect to form uniform water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions. These fine emulsions, consisting of 1.5% w/v Na-alginate, were then dripped into an oil solution containing 20% w/v calcium chloride (CaCl2) to accomplish Ca-alginate microspheres in an efficient manner. We have demonstrated that one can control the size of Ca-alginate microparticles from 20 mu m to 50 mu m in diameter (with a variation less than 10%) by altering the relative sheath/sample flow rate ratio. Experimental data showed that for a given fixed dispersed phase flow (sample flow), the emulsion size decreased as the average velocity of the continuous phase (oil flow) increased. The proposed CD-like microfluidic platform is capable of generating relatively uniform micro-droplets and has the advantages of active control of droplet diameter, simple and low cost process, and high throughput.