The RayDrop is a microfluidic droplet generator composed of three main parts fully removable: two inserts on each side and a center section containing a nozzle and an outlet capillary. There are four standard microfluidic connections, two on the box for the continuous phase, and one on each insert for the dispersed phase entry and the collecting emulsion outlet.
Raydrop Single Emulsion
[1DPRD01]Single emulsion and droplet generator
The RayDrop specific design allows for multiple liquid type emulsification, within the same device without any coating needed. This allows to cover single and complex emulsions.
This allows to cover many application from encapsulation of active pharmaceutical ingredient in both polymer microparticle to cell and fragrance encapsulation in hydrogel microbeads such as:
- PLGA microparticle
- Alginate microbeads
- Liposome Nanoparticle
- Reproducible
High monodispersity (CV < 2%)
- Flexible
Multiple applications
- Easy
Coating-free
Features
A flexible device
Droplet size from 20 ”m to 450 ”m diameter. Frequency of up to 10 000 Hz. Water-in-oil (w/o) and oil-in-water (o/w) droplets.
A unique device
One device for multiple applications.
Surface coating-free
As opposed to standard droplet devices, the Raydrop does not require any surface coating steps.
Easy to use
Easy-to-clean exchangeable nozzle. Easy microscope visualization.
Related applications
Description
The RayDrop works as a co-flow focusing principle. The nozzle and outlet capillary are aligned in continuous phase chamber, the dispersed phase comes through the nozzle to create the microparticles into the continuous phase and exit by the outlet insert.
The RayDrop is available in three standard configuration (Nozzle size-Extraction capillary size), in order to target a broader droplet size range:
- 30”m-150”m
- 60”m-300”m
- 90”m-450”m
As all cappilaries from the RayDrop are easily excheangable itâs easy to change either the nozzle capillary or the collecting cappilary with another nozzle or cappilary size.
It can also be tuned to target different droplet size by changing cappilaries size and nozzle configuration:
Small droplet configuration:
30”m-60”m
Small droplet configuration: 30”m-70”m-90”m
This two nozzle configuration allow to decrease double emulsion size down to 15”m droplet size.
“My team has started using the Fluigent microfluidic kit for making polymer based particles. We tried different microfluidic systems in the past but unfortunately they were not suitable for our application. The main issue was chip blockage which rendered the process quite laborious.
The RayDrop microfluidic chip from Fluigent gave us the best results with a better control over the process.
I have to mention the excellent technical support from Fluigent, their team visited my lab 3 times to deliver training and help to optimize the processâ
Dr Omar QUTACHI – Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics – Health and Life Sciences – Montfort University , The Gateway, Leicester
Specifications
Device characteristics | Co-Flow focusing design |
Droplet type | water in oil and oil in water |
Droplet size | 15 to 450 ”m |
Generation rate | 10 000 Hz (measured for the smallest double emulsion size) – can go higher under specific conditions |
Nozzle type | Methalcrylate resin Glass |
Nozzle size | 30 ”m ID 60 ”m ID 90 ”m ID |
Inlet and outlet capillary | 150 ”m ID 300 ”m ID 450 ”m ID |
External dimensions | L*l*h = 60 mm * 40 mm * 13 mm |
Weight | 205 |
Operating pressure | 0 – 5 bar |
Burst pressure | 10 bar |
Wetted material: continuous phase | PEEK, FEP, glass, stainless steel, polyimide, Kalrez (seal), methalcrylate resin or glass (nozzle) |
Wetted laterial: dispersed phase | PEEK, FEP, glass, methalcrylate resin or glass (nozzle) |
PN | Product Name | Capillary sizes | Nozzle type |
1DPRD01 | Complete Raydrop | 30”m-150”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPSE-60-300 | Complete Raydrop | 60”m-300”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPSE-90-450 | Complete Raydrop | 90”m-450”m | Methacrylate Resin |
O-SE-RDRPC04-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 30”m-60”m | Methacrylate Resin |
O-SE-RDRPC05-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 30”m-90”m | Methacrylate Resin |
O-SE-RDRPC06-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 60”m-90”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPSNO-30 | Simple nozzle insert | 30”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPSNO-60 | Simple nozzle insert | 60”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPSNO-90 | Simple nozzle insert | 90”m | Methacrylate Resin |
ORDRPCOL-150 | Collecting capillary insert | 150”m | Glass |
O-SP-CCI300-CO | Collecting capillary insert | 300”m | Glass |
O-SP-CCI450-CO | Collecting capillary insert | 450”m | Glass |
O-SE-RDRPC01G-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 30”m-150”m | Glass |
O-SE-RDRPC02G-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 60”m-300”m | Glass |
O-SE-RDRPC03G-EUP | Complete Raydrop | 90”m-450”m | Glass |
O-SE-GSNO30-EUP | Simple nozzle insert | 30”m | Glass |
O-SE-GSNO60-EUP | Simple nozzle insert | 60”m | Glass |
O-SE-GSNO90-EUP | Simple nozzle insert | 90”m | Glass |
Double emulsion production: Raydrop Microfluidics for Alginate Microbeads Production
How to fill the Raydrop?
Which solvent is compatible with the Raydrop?
As chemicals, can be used ethylacetate, ethanol or IPA. (The nozzle material is not compatible at long-term use with dichloromethane)
Do I need to filter my solutions?
Yes, we recommend filtering all solutions before starting your experiment. The presence of dust can block the nozzle.
There is an air bubble in my device. How can I get rid of it?
Open the top plugs of the RayDrop.
Return to the RayDrop filling state.
Refer to the application note protocol.
There is a fluid leak coming our from the sides of the Raydrop. Is it a common behavior?
Leaks can sometimes appear if the fluidic connectors are not tightened enough.
Check that all the connectors are attached firmly.
(Be careful not to over tighten or your tubing may be blocked by pinching)
All my connectors are tigh but there is still water flowing out of the Raydrop window. Is this a common behavior?
If the RayDrop has been manipulated (for cleaning or maintenance) the four screws might not be tightened enough.
Use an allen key to tighten.
How do I clean the Raydrop after my experiment?
It is important to clean the RayDrop after each experiment in order to prevent clogging.
Refer to the good practice guide for the detailed procedure.
How can I avoid air bubble infiltration?
Make sure that all tubing is well flushed before connecting the RayDrop.
Expertise & resources
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Application notes Multiple emulsion droplet generation Read more
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Interviews & Testimonials Interview with Benoit Scheid from Secoya Read more
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Interviews & Testimonials Hans-Knöll-Institut, New Antibiotics, Cultivation in Droplets Read more
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Interviews & Testimonials Testimonials Raydrop Read more
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Technical datasheets Raydrop single emulsion datasheet Download
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Application notes Alginate microbeads production Read more
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Application notes Liposome nanoparticles synthesis Read more
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Application notes PLGA microparticle synthesis Read more
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Application notes Generation of microparticle with a UV-crosslinked polymer Read more
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Application notes Water in Fluorocarbon Oil Emulsions Read more
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Application notes Water in Oil Emulsions Read more
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Application notes Oil in Water Emulsions Read more
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Expertise reviews Microfluidic Droplet Production Method Read more
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Expertise reviews Droplet generation using syringe pumps and pressure-based flow controllers Read more
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Expertise reviews Microfluidic chips: key applications Read more