Microgels for encapsulation of cells and other biologic agents
US9381217B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K38/00
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods of encapsulating cargo in a microgel droplet, microgel droplets prepared according the provided methods, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The methods of preparing cargo-encapsulated microgels generally include flowing through a flow-focusing nozzle of a microfluidic device a macromer phase, an oil phase, and a crosslinker phase to form microgel droplets by oil-water emulsion. The phases are pumped, injected, or flowed through the microfluidic device such that as the macromer phase approaches the flow focusing nozzle, the co-flowing oil phase shields the macromer from contact with the crosslinker phase until flow instability occurs and macromer phase droplets form. After flow instability occurs, the crosslinker diffuses from the crosslinker phase into the droplets in an effective amount to covalently crosslink the macromer into a microgel network encapsulating the cargo in the crosslinked macromer. Microgels prepared according to the disclosed methods and methods of use thereof are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.