3D Printing of Microfluidic-assisted Liposomes Production for Drug Delivery and Nanobiomedicine: A Review

Abstract

Abstract: Numerous techniques exist for the production of liposomes; however, these methods need to be revised due to their incapacity to achieve precise management of the dimensions and uniformity of liposomes and their inefficient utilization of reagents and resources. One particular challenge lies in replicating accurate form and size control seen in biological cells, as accomplishing this level of precision through macroscale approaches proves exceptionally arduous. The advent of microfluidic technology tackles this problem by lowering liposome synthesis to a centimeter-level chip, drastically cutting related costs, and enhancing liposome manufacturing efficiency and mobility. Although various microfluidic technologies for micro or nanoparticle preparation have been established, manufacturing microfluidic devices poses challenges due to their high cost and time-consuming nature. However, a promising and cost-effective solution lies in additive production, commonly guided by 3D printing. This innovative technique has demonstrated significant potential and has been successfully applied to create microfluidic chips. Here, we will explore using 3D printing to produce microfluidic devices specifically designed for liposome production. Moreover, the biomedical applications of the liposomes produced by 3D printing-fabricated chips will be fully discussed.