One-step microencapulation of nanoparticles and perfluorocarbon in microbubbles for potential application in controlled activation

Silver nanoparticles and perfluorocarbon are encapsulated in multilayered lipid microbubbles by a coaxial electro-flow focusing process. The process is characterized as a coaxial liquid jet in the core of a high-speed coflowing gas stream under an axial electric field. Different flow modes are identified and the stable cone-jet structure is formed in a wide range of process parameters. Core-shell structures of microbubbles with nanoparticles inside the shell are clearly observed. The effects of the main process parameters on the process outcome are studied systemically for the enhanced microbubble morphology. The preliminary elevation of the temperature in silver nanoparticle suspended perfluorcarbon is observed upon exposure to broadband light illumination, indicating the technical potential for light-activated drug delivery.

[1]  Leilei Zhang,et al.  Experimental design and instability analysis of coaxial electrospray process for microencapsulation of drugs and imaging agents , 2013, Journal of biomedical optics.

[2]  Young-tae Kim,et al.  Slow‐release nanoparticle‐encapsulated delivery system for laryngeal injection , 2010, The Laryngoscope.

[3]  S. Davis,et al.  Chitosan microspheres prepared by spray drying. , 1999, International journal of pharmaceutics.

[4]  Alfonso M. Gañán-Calvo,et al.  Focusing capillary jets close to the continuum limit , 2007 .

[5]  Pascual R Iesco.  The combination of electrospray and flow focusing , 2006, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[6]  Norman Chigier,et al.  Breakup of liquid sheets and jets , 1999 .

[7]  M. Márquez,et al.  Micro/Nano Encapsulation via Electrified Coaxial Liquid Jets , 2002, Science.

[8]  Ellen C. Dengler,et al.  Release of Plasmid DNA-Encoding IL-10 from PLGA Microparticles Facilitates Long-Term Reversal of Neuropathic Pain Following a Single Intrathecal Administration , 2010, Pharmaceutical Research.

[9]  J. Willmann,et al.  Molecular ultrasound imaging: current status and future directions. , 2010, Clinical radiology.

[10]  Alfonso M Gañán-Calvo,et al.  Electro-flow focusing: the high-conductivity low-viscosity limit. , 2006, Physical review letters.

[11]  Alfonso M. Gañán-Calvo,et al.  The combination of electrospray and flow focusing , 2006 .

[12]  Motohiro Uo,et al.  Microparticle formation and its mechanism in single and double emulsion solvent evaporation. , 2004, Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society.

[13]  Nicholas Ferrell,et al.  Fabrication of polymeric microparticles for drug delivery by soft lithography. , 2006, Biomaterials.

[14]  C Vigneron,et al.  Influence of experimental parameters on the characteristics of poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles prepared by a double emulsion method. , 1998, Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society.