Nanoscale Journal Cover Design Service (NDDS)

Nanoscale

19 May 2020

Microfluidic-mediated nano-drug delivery systems: from fundamentals to fabrication for advanced therapeutic applications

Qingming Ma,^a Jie Cao,^a Yang Gao,^a Shangcong Han,^a Yan Liang,^a Tingting Zhang,^a Xinyu Wang^b and Yong Sun^*a

10.1039/D0NR02397C

Here, a brief review of the microfluidic-mediated NDDS is presented. The fundamentals of microfluidics are first interpreted with an emphasis on the fluid characteristics, design and materials for microfluidic devices. Then a comprehensive and in-depth depiction of the microfluidic-mediated fabrications of controllable NDDS with well-tailored internal structures and integrated functions for controlled encapsulation and drug release are categorized and reviewed, with particular descriptions about the underlying formation mechanisms. Afterwards, recently appreciated representative applications of the microfluidic-mediated NDDS for delivering multiple drugs are systematically summarized. Finally, conclusions and perspectives on further advancing the microfluidic-mediated NDDS toward more powerful and versatile platforms for therapeutic applications are discussed.