Ultrasound-enhanced microfluidic synthesis of liposomes.

BACKGROUND Liposomes have been successfully used as delivery vehicles for anticancer drugs. Both sonication and microfluidic technologies have been used to produce liposomes. The combination of the two methods was evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS The microfluidic devices, mainly comprising micro-dispensers and a sonicator, were used to produce liposomal nanoparticles. Sonication was used to enhance the reduction of liposome size. RESULTS Sonication significantly reduced the size of the liposomes. The particle size also decreased as the buffer to solvent flow rate ratio increased. The smallest particle sizes were achieved with a volumetric flow rate of lipids at 0.374 ml/min. CONCLUSION The microfluidic devices in combination with ultrasound are simple and may be used to produce liposomal nanoparticles with narrow size distribution.