Applications of PLGA microcarriers prepared using geometrically passive breakup on microfluidic chip

We present geometrically passive T-junction breakup as a high-throughput preparation method for polymer microcarriers. In passive T-junction breakup, an alternative method that can satisfy requirements for uniform size distribution and high production, a polymer solution droplet is split into numerous smaller droplets as it passes T-junctions, and is then polymerized into particles as solvents evaporate. Microparticles generated from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were used to demonstrate the applicability of this method. The proposed method of droplet fission, controlled by microfluidic flow, allowed for preparation of biopolymer particles at 8000 Hz and size distribution of CV < 5%. Feasibility of the prepared PLGA microparticles was verified as microcarriers for functional materials: lidocaine, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and 3T3 cells. The prepared microparticles showed a slower and more linear drug release profile compared to those generated using the conventional evaporation method. Highly porous microparticles were also prepared successfully using gelatin as a porogen in the T-junction breakup device.