Figure 1.
A schematic illustration of the flow-focusing microfluidic device for encapsulating cells/tissues in the collagen-based core of microcapsules with an alginate hydrogel shell. (A) An overview of the microfluidic device showing Ca2+ oil, 2% sodium alginate, collagen (with or without cells), and aqueous extraction solutions were pumped into the device from inlets I1, I2, I3, and I4 respectively. The aqueous and oil phases exited the device from outlet O1 and O2, respectively. (B) A zoom-in view of the nonplanar flow-focusing junction where cells/tissues were encapsulated. (C) A zoom-in view of the channel where microcapsules in oil were extracted into aqueous phase. (D) Encapsulated cells/tissues were cultured for up to 10 days to form grown 3D microtissue.