Generation of Microbubbles for Biomedical Applications through an Automated Microfluidic Setup

Abstract

Microbubbles are bubbles with diameters less then 1mm. They have gained significant attention in various medical and non-medical applications in including ultrasonic imaging, diagnosis, drug delivery, food processing, water treatment and surface cleaning. Conventional techniques such as ultra-sonication, mechanical agitation and membrane emulsification etc., produce microbubbles with less monodispersity because of reduced control over size and uniformity. Microfluidic approach offer major improvements in terms of Control over shape, size and uniformity. The aim of this project was to develop cost effective microfluidic setup for generation of micro-bubbles. The setup consist of syringe pumps for controlled flow rate and microfluidic device fabricated using Teflon tubes. Air filled chitosan microbubbles were generated successfully using this MF setup, within the narrow size range of 200μm to 260μm. Polydispersity index value of chitosan MBs calculated was 6% that was quite good than polydispersity indices achieved through conventional techniques. Future work can be carried out to further scale down the size of bubble so that they can be used for biomedical applications.