Fabricating Microspheres

This is the protocol that was used to fabricate PLGA microspheres by the biomaterials lab group during the beginning of the semester. We will be using a very similar process with our phase change materials substituted for PLGA.

Protocol for Fabricating Microspheres:
After Cohen et al. "Controlled Delivery Systems for Proteins Based on PLGA Microspheres." Pharm. Res. 1991 vol 8, p. 713

1. Weight out 1 g of PLGA

2. Dissolve in methylene chloride (1 ml -- 5% sol'n)

3. Add 50 microliters of distilled water

4. Vortex for 1 minute to make emulsion

5. Add sol'n to 2 ml 1% PVA (under vigerous stirring) (methylene chloride is often added to sat. sol'n)

6. Vortex for 1 min to make second emulsion

7. Add emulsion to 200 ml 0.1% PVA to leach methylene chloride (3 hr to overnight)

8. Ultracentrifuge at 5000 rpm for 10 min. to collect particles

9. Rinse 3X in distilled water (ultracentrifuge in between)

10. Add 10 ml water

11. Freeze in liqN

12. Lyophilize overnight

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