We report a facile strategy for efficient drug release by using self-folding hydrogel bilayer microparticles. Since drugs can be encapsulated in pre-defined hydrogel microparticles, drugs can be released only to captured targets by controlling the shape of hydrogel microparticles with self-folding. To achieve this, hydrogel bilayer microparticles consisted of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid), p(HEMA-co-AA), as an active layer and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), p(HEMA), as a passive layer were fabricated using conventional photolithography process. As a result, planar bilayer microparticles showed transformation of shape to 3D microcapsules by anisotropic volume phase transition at basic condition. To demonstrate spatially controlled release, gelatin microparticles containing FITC-dextran were incorporated to p(HEMA) layer. Because p(HEMA) layer formed inner layer while p(HEMA-co-AA) layer formed outer layer, dye was released only to cavity of microcapsules by confined geometry, which shows spatially controlled release of active ingredients.

Self-folding of hydrogel microparticles for spatially controlled release of drugs

245th National Meeting (2013)

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