PLGA Microparticle Production Pack (Automation Pack)

[O-SE-PLGAAP-PCK]

    A complete system for automated production of monodisperse PLGA microparticles

    The PLGA microparticle production pack is a robust, high-performance solution to generate polymer microparticles in a homogenous and fully controlled manner. 

    The performance brought by the RayDrop droplet generator, with the combination of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as an encapsulation polymer, and ethyl acetate as a solvent, provides a biocompatible solution lowering both hazard risk and precipitation time. 

    Suitable for biological applications, the RayDrop and the PLGA Microparticle Production Pack offer an automated solution for one of the most successful drug delivery systems in laboratories and clinics. The control and generation of droplets allow for highly monodisperse and continuous production compared to batch emulsion methods. 

    Therefore, the application of droplet-based microfluidics for the production of PLGA microparticles is a powerful tool that allows us to obtain particles with high monodispersity and stability.

    Main benefits
    • droplet monodispersity
      Repeatability

      High monodispersity (2%)

    • ICO_BFT continuous
      Automated

      Continuous production

    • Adaptable

      Control on particle size

    Features of PLGA Microparticle Production Pack 

    A complete system

    With this package, you have all the components necessary to start generating PLGA microparticles.

    An engineered solution

    We built the package with the right pressure controllers, microfluidic chips, and valves to make sure you have the highest flexibility in terms of droplet size and generation rate.

    A dedicated protocol

    A protocol is available to assist you setting up and starting your experiments

    Customization possible

    We can adapt the package to fulfill your needs (droplet size, generation rate)

    Developed and manufactured by Secoya

    How to produce droplets with our PLGA microparticle Production Pack?

    In our Application Note (lien App Note), we demonstrate to you how the PLGA microparticle production pack creates excellent reproducibility and significantly improves monodispersity (CV < 2%) as compared to other methods on the market. It brings together all the benefits of pressure-based solutions and droplet microfluidics to focus on the experiment, and even offers the chance to automate protocols for producing different microparticle sizes.

    Main products of the PLGA Microparticle Production Pack 

    Two different pressure controllers (Flow EZ) are used to handle fluids.

    A 3/2 valve (2-SWITCH) is used to switch between pure ethyl acetate and PLGA dissolved in ethyl acetate and a second valve is also used in particle production output to switch between a waste and recover the sample.

    Two Flow Unit sensors are used to monitor and control the internal and external phases flow rates during the run all.The RayDrop Single Emulsion is used to generate PLGA microparticles. It relies on the alignment of two glass capillaries inside a pressurized chamber. A 3D-printed micro-nozzle is additionally connected at the tip of the injection capillary, enforcing the dripping (fluids flow at low rates) of small droplets. This non-embedded design presents both the characteristics of a co-flow and a flow focusing, and is thereby called non-embedded co-flow focusing. The nozzle and outlet capillary are aligned in the continuous phase chamber, the dispersed phase comes through the nozzle to create the microparticles into the continuous phase and exit by the outlet insert.

    Specifications

    PARTICLE PRODUCTION

    Dispersed phasePLGA lactide: glycolide (75:25), mol wt 66,000-107,000
    PLGA concentration used2%, 5% ans 10%
    Continuous phaseEthyl acetate
    Doplet size range60µm to 120 µm
    Particle size range20µm to 50 µm
    Production rateUp to 60mg/h
    Production frequencyU to 1000Hz
    Monodisperity2%

    FLOW CONTROL

    PumpsFluigent Flow EZ™ (2 bar)
    Flow sensorsFluigent FLOW UNIT (M and L)
    Automated valvesFluigent 2-SWITCH™

    IMAGING

    MicroscopeFluigent Digital high-speed microscope

    OxyGEN

    Control in real-time, protocol automation, data record and export
    ver. 1.0.0.0 or more recent

    See the offer


    Imaging

    Pixelink Capture Software

    Traditional methods (Batch methods)Fluigent PLGA microparticle production station
    Particle size distribution~20%~2%
    ReproducibilityLowHigh
    API mixingUnevenUniform
    Live particle size controlNoPrecise
    Continuous / In line production NoYes
    Microfluidic methods available on the marketFluigent PLGA microparticle production station
    Particle size distribution~5%~2%
    Semi automated productionNoYes
    Ethyl acetate dedicated protocolNoYes
    Device regenerationNo (glass chip changed when clogged)Yes (the RayDrop can be maintained)
    ConnectorsNon standard, user dependant quality (leakage, blockage)Standard fittings for better sealing

    Can I use a polymer other than PLGA?

    The method has been designed for PLGA. Changing polymers may change the physical fluid properties and lead to different results.

    PLGA-molecule

    How can I prevent the clogging from PLGA?

    Follow the procedure detailed in the application note. Please note the priming and cleaning procedures.

    The nozzle (or capillary) sems clogged with PLGA. How can I fix it?

    If the usual cleaning procedures from the good practice guide cannot unclog the nozzle, contact customer support for help.

    Some of the ethyl acetate has flowed into the continuous phase chamber. What should I do?

    If some ethylacetate without PLGA has flowed into the chamber it can be flushed out easily.

    Follow the instructions in the good practice guide.

    I can see a drop of ethlacetate fixed on the outside of the nozzle. How can I get ride of it?

    If some ethylacetate  without PLGA is fixed around the nozzle, it can be easily flushed out.

    Follow the instructions in the good practice guide.

    Some of the PLGA solution has flowed into the chamber. What shoulg I do?

    If some PLGA gets into the chamber, it has to be eliminated quickly.

    Refer to the good practice guide for the exact procedure.

    Air bubbles regularly appear during the experiment. What should I do?

    If air bubbles appear during experiment we advise one to switch to the ethyl acetate solution (if you are in the PLGA configuration) and let it flow for a minute to remove all PLGA from the system.

    Then make sure that all connectors are tightened properly.

    Refer to the application note procedure to avoid air bubble infiltration.