Novel synthesis of PVA/GA hydrogel microspheres based on microfluidic technology

The hydrogel microspheres of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/ glutaraldehyde (GA) used as embolic agent can be applied in the embolization therapy. The mechanical properties and size precision of the hydrogel microspheres have a strong influence on its clinical application. In this work, the microfluidic technology was employed in the preparation of size-controlled PVA/GA hydrogel microspheres, and a novel in-situ gelation system was proposed. The influences of cross-linker (GA) content and the total content of PVA and GA in the dispersed phase, and catalyst content in the continuous phase on the compressive strength and deformation of PVA/GA gel microspheres were investigated in detail. Also, the kinetic behaviours of the formation of PVA/GA hydrogel microspheres in the microfluidic system were studied, and the results indicated that the gelation processes based on microfluidics accord to first-order reaction.