Exploiting oxygen inhibited photopolymerization within emulsion droplets for the fabrication of microparticles with customizable properties
US11642642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J13/0065
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described are methods and devices for the generation of hydrogel particles with micrometer and submicrometer dimensions using oxygen-inhibited partial polymerization, and the particles generated therefrom. The described methods generate particles with dimensions independent of the starting polymerizable solution dimension, for example, a microdroplet. Further, microfluidic flow parameters (e.g. viscosity, flow rate) and photopolymerization process parameters (e.g. optical exposure intensity and duration) are controlled to generate particles with tunable crosslinking density-determined properties including elasticity, diffusivity, and biomolecular display for diverse applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering cell scaffolds, and single- and multiple- cell therapeutics. Similarly, gradients of crosslinking density-determined properties can be created within single particles through the selection of optical exposure intensity and duration. In addition to conventional spherical shapes, a suite of non-spherical shapes may be generated by manipulating the dimensions of the microfluidic channels and other related physical and process parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.