Microfluidics device for fabrication of large, uniform, injectable hydrogel microparticles for cell encapsulation

Abstract

The devices, methods, and compositions disclosed herein accomplish robust cell encapsulation in polymer microparticles using a vertically oriented microfluidic device. A hydrophilic polymer precursor solution is flowed into a first inlet channel, which extends inward from an upper surface of the device housing. A hydrophobic fluid is flowed into a second inlet channel, which extends inward from a lower surface of the device housing. The two inlet channels meet at a junction, and an outlet channel extends away from the two inlet channels. When the two inwardly flowing streams meet at the junction, the polymer precursor solution disperses into the hydrophobic fluid. The dispersed precursor droplets are photopolymerized into microparticles as they travel through the outlet channel. The resulting microparticles are highly uniform, and are larger than conventionally formed microparticles. Cells of varying types can be encapsulated with high viability and spatial uniformity.