Abdurashitov Arkady S, Proshin Pavel I, Sukhorukov Gleb B
Vladimir Zelman Center for Neurobiology and Brain Rehabilitation, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoy Boulevard 30, p.1, 121205 Moscow, Russia.
School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Nov 20;13(22):2976. doi: 10.3390/nano13222976.
Complex-structured polymeric microparticles hold significant promise as an advance in next-generation medicine mostly due to demand from developing targeted drug delivery. However, the conventional methods for producing these microparticles of defined size, shape, and sophisticated composition often face challenges in scalability, reliance on specialized components such as micro-patterned templates, or limited control over particle size distribution and cargo (functional payload) release kinetics. In this study, we introduce a novel and reliably scalable approach for manufacturing microparticles of defined structures and sizes with variable parameters. The concept behind this method involves the deposition of a specific number of polymer layers on a substrate with low surface energy. Each layer can serve as either the carrier for cargo or a programmable shell-former with predefined permeability. Subsequently, this layered structure is precisely cut into desired-size blanks (particle precursors) using a laser. The manufacturing process is completed by applying heat to the substrate, which results in sealing the edges of the blanks. The combination of the high surface tension of the molten polymer and the low surface energy of the substrate enables the formation of discrete particles, each possessing semi-spherical or other designed geometries determined by their internal composition. Such anisotropic microparticles are envisaged to have versatile applications.
复杂结构的聚合物微粒作为下一代医学的一项进展具有重大前景，这主要是由于开发靶向药物递送的需求。然而，用于生产这些具有特定尺寸、形状和复杂组成的微粒的传统方法，在可扩展性、依赖微图案模板等特殊组件，或对粒径分布和载药（功能有效载荷）释放动力学的控制有限等方面常常面临挑战。在本研究中，我们引入了一种新颖且可靠可扩展的方法，用于制造具有可变参数的特定结构和尺寸的微粒。该方法背后的概念涉及在低表面能的基底上沉积特定数量的聚合物层。每层既可以作为载药载体，也可以作为具有预定义渗透性的可编程壳形成层。随后，使用激光将这种层状结构精确切割成所需尺寸的坯料（微粒前体）。通过对基底施加热量来完成制造过程，这会导致坯料边缘密封。熔融聚合物的高表面张力与基底的低表面能相结合，能够形成离散的微粒，每个微粒都具有由其内部组成决定的半球形或其他设计几何形状。这种各向异性微粒预计具有广泛的应用。
