Fabrication of injectable dexamethasone-loaded hydrogel microparticle via microfluidic technique for biomedical applications

Hydrogel-based drug encapsulation systems offer the potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes for various diseases by sustaining drug release at the targeted site, extending residence time, reducing the frequency of administration, and restoring function in the affected tissues or organs. Microparticles, due to their structural and functional benefits, excel in drug delivery and can be minimally invasively injected. Microparticle hydrogels not only enhance drug release but also adjust the hydrogel's physical and chemical properties. Our approach involves fabricating micron-sized spherical hydrogel constructs using a coaxial microfluidic device with thermossensitive hydrogel surface modification. Dexamethasone (Dex), a corticosteroid, is loaded into self-assembling microparticles fabricated with synthesized polyvinyl alcohol with phenol moieties (PVA-Ph) and a coaxial double orifice microfluidic spinneret. The introduction of thermo-sensitive synthesized Pluronic F127 (Plu) with phenol moieties (Plu-Ph) on the Dex-loaded microparticle's outer surface allows functionalized hydrogel microparticles to aggregate and localize in target tissues. These microparticles, incorporated into a Plu-Ph hydrogel matrix, enhance structural integrity, mechanical properties, stability, and drug release, reducing administration frequency. This innovative method offers a versatile platform for precise therapeutic delivery, significantly advancing targeted drug delivery systems and regenerative medicine, with the potential to restore hearing function in relevant applications.