DoE Analysis of Approaches for Hydrogel Microbeads’ Preparation by Millifluidic Methods

Abstract

Hydrogel microbeads hold great promise for immune-protective cell transplants and in vitro studies. Millifluidic generation of hydrogel microbeads is a highly efficient and reproducible approach enabling a mass production. This paper illustrates the preparation and characterization of highly controlled and reproducible microbeads made by different types of hydrogel using millifluidic approaches. The optimization of the process was made by a design of experiments (DoE) approach. The microbeads’ large-scale production can be potentially used for single cells or clusters encapsulation.

Gellan Gum/Alginate Microparticles as Drug Delivery Vehicles: DOE Production Optimization and Drug Delivery

“…In an atomization process, Chan et al [ 49 ] also found that an increase in volumetric liquid flow rate (equivalent to pump flow in this work) also produced larger particles. Similar effects of the air flow in microparticle’s diameter were also observed in previous works, with higher air flows decreasing the size [ 20 , 50 ]. Nastruzzi et al [ 50 ] also found that height (equivalent to bath-nozzle gap) and flow (equivalent to pump flow) also did not significantly affect the particle’s size.…”

“…Similar effects of the air flow in microparticle’s diameter were also observed in previous works, with higher air flows decreasing the size [ 20 , 50 ]. Nastruzzi et al [ 50 ] also found that height (equivalent to bath-nozzle gap) and flow (equivalent to pump flow) also did not significantly affect the particle’s size. The use of needles with different diameters should also be studied in future works, since the needle affects the shear rate [ 31 ].…”

Statistical optimization of hydrazone-crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels for protein delivery

“…We and others have used DoE to predict responses of hydrogels and cells within hydrogels in systems with multiple input variables. 8,[11][12][13][14] This approach can be widely used in regenerative medicine applications such as scaffold design, cell culture optimization, and the development of in vitro model systems, accelerating the timeframe in which new platforms can be optimized. [15][16][17] In this study, we were specifically interested in tuning the properties of hyaluronic acid hydrogels formed via hydrazone crosslinking.…”

Statistical Optimization of Hydrazone-Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels for Protein Delivery

“…We and others have used DoE to predict responses of hydrogels and cells within ed f he of hydrogels in systems with multiple input variables. (8,(11)(12)(13)(14) This approach can be widely used in regenerative medicine applications such as scaffold design, cell culture optimization, and the development of in vitro model systems, accelerating the timeframe in which new platforms can be optimized. (15)(16)(17) In this study, we were specifically interested in tuning the properties of hyaluronic acid hydrogels formed via hydrazone crosslinking.…”