Microfluidics Technology for the Design and Formulation of Nanomedicines

Abstract

In conventional drug administration, drug molecules cross multiple biological barriers, distribute randomly in the tissues, and can release insufficient concentrations at the desired pathological site. Controlling the delivery of the molecules can increase the concentration of the drug in the desired location, leading to improved efficacy, and reducing the unwanted effects of the molecules under investigation. Nanoparticles (NPs), have shown a distinctive potential in targeting drugs due to their unique properties, such as large surface area and quantum properties. A variety of NPs have been used over the years for the encapsulation of different drugs and biologics, acting as drug carriers, including lipid-based and polymeric NPs. Applying NP platforms in medicines significantly improves the disease diagnosis and therapy. Several conventional methods have been used for the manufacturing of drug loaded NPs, with conventional manufacturing methods having several limitations, leading to multiple drawbacks, including NPs with large particle size and broad size distribution (high polydispersity index), besides the unreproducible formulation and high batch-to-batch variability. Therefore, new methods such as microfluidics (MFs) need to be investigated more thoroughly. MFs, is a novel manufacturing method that uses microchannels to produce a size-controlled and monodispersed NP formulation. In this review, different formulation methods of polymeric and lipid-based NPs will be discussed, emphasizing the different manufacturing methods and their advantages and limitations and how microfluidics has the capacity to overcome these limitations and improve the role of NPs as an effective drug delivery system.

Combining 3D Printing and Microfluidic Techniques: A Powerful Synergy for Nanomedicine

“…The ability to explain this behaviour using mathematical equations allows each step of the process to be monitored, ensuring that the outcome is high quality [ 32 ]. The importance of this novel approach stems from the fact that it has a wide range of applications in various branches of scientific investigation [ 35 ], ranging from analytical purpose to the production of high-performance NPs [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], diagnostics [ 39 ] and cell analysis [ 40 , 41 ]. Among them, the concept of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems revolution has paved the way for many healthcare applications.…”

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Inhaled Vaccines

“…The method of preparation and controlling the experimental conditions also influence the formed PNP properties along with their body performance. PNPs are currently used to treat, prevent and diagnose diseases [ 29 , 30 ]. These PNPs have been used to load different pharmaceuticals and target other tissues in the body.…”

“…Many different PNP delivery mechanisms have been developed using parenteral, oral, intraocular, transdermal, and pulmonary channels [ 30 , 83 ]. The pulmonary route can be used for either local or systemic drug delivery.…”

Prebiotic Chemistry Experiments Using Microfluidic Devices

“…Microfluidic devices are used in biological [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] and chemical essays [ 11 , 12 ], clinical and forensics [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], molecular and medical diagnosis [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], pollution monitoring [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], drug design and therapeutic activity [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], and biohazard detection [ 7 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], among others disciplines.…”