DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREPARING MICROCAPSULES

摘要

The invention discloses a novel device for the formation of microcapsules based on micro-droplet generation inside silicone tubing, which is punctured with a blunt-ended syringe needle vertically (1). The device uses droplet generation by vertical injection of hydrophilic polymer/cell mixture into hydrophobic oil flow, which is horizontally maintained in the silicone tubing. The injection of polymer/cell mixture into a stream of mineral oil results in the generation of spherical droplet and in the formation of a water- in-oil emulsion due to the immiscibility of the two phases. Subsequently, the micro-droplets in oil phase are converted into stable microcapsules by gelation in a separate chamber which is loaded with ionic cross- linking solution at physiological ionic strength and pH. The utility of the microcapsules generated by the device of present invention is virtually unlimited in the fields of regenerative medicine, controlled delivery of growth factor or drug.