Encapsulation of cells/substances uses an injection pump to form small spherical particles in an immobilizing mixture with external vibration on the pump and an electrical field at the hardening vessel

摘要

For the encapsulation of cells or biological/chemical substances, they are formed by a jet into small and spherical particles through vibration in an immobilizing mixture. The vibration is through an injection pump (1,2) containing the mixture, which is on a swing mounting, and linked to an oscillation unit (5). For the encapsulation of cells and other substances, external vibration induces a laminar fluid flow of the immobilizing mixture from the injection pump system, divided into small and spherical particles of identical dimensions. The external vibration is preferably applied to the pump at right angles to the line of the fluid flows. The spray needle (6) of the injection pump (1,2) acts as the jet, extending through a sterile membrane (7) in a hardening vessel (A). The spherical particles pass through an electrical field between the jet and the hardening bath, to be given an electrical charge to repel each other. The injection unit is preferably disposable, and is oscillated at a frequency of 400-5000 Hz, and has an injection rate of 1-50 ml/min. An Independent claim is included for an apparatus to encapsulate cells and other substances, with a mechanical injection pump suspended in a sprung holder (3,4) to take up vertical forces, and allow a lateral oscillation of the injection pump.