Broad Scale and Structure Fabrication of Healthcare Materials for Drug and Emerging Therapies via Electrohydrodynamic Techniques

• Published in: Advanced therapeutics Vol. 2; no. 4
• Main Authors: Mehta, Prina, Zaman, Aliyah, Smith, Ashleigh, Rasekh, Manoochehr, Haj‐Ahmad, Rita, Arshad, Muhammad S., der Merwe, Susanna, Chang, M.‐W., Ahmad, Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2019
• Subjects: biomaterials; electrohydrodynamic atomization; electrospinning; electrospray; fibers; particles; pharmaceuticals
• ISSN: 2366-3987; 2366-3987
• DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201800024

The engineering of advanced healthcare materials provides a platform to address challenges facing interdisciplinary scientists, clinicians, pharmacists, biomaterial scientists, and biomedical engineers. Niche, timely developments arising from the synthesis or extraction of more biocompatible materials, new biologically active components, clearer insights into disease mechanisms, and novel therapies provide several timely opportunities. These include enhanced therapies with greater patient compliance, improved disease targeting, better diagnosis, and bespoke medications for individuals. Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) comprises several processes making use of electric fields interplaying with several forces. Coupled to advanced materials and specifically configured apparatuses, effective and controlled fabrication of various structures on various scales possessing various dimensions is readily achieved. The processes have distinct advantages compared to established engineering methods (ambient environment engineering, low shear, scalability, compartmentalization, etc.). This detailed review focuses on key concepts and developments in EHDA engineering pertaining to underlying principles, enabling tools and engineered structures specifically for healthcare remits. From initial experiments involving the behaviour of non‐formulated liquids on charged amber to recent developments in complex 3D matrix printing, the EHDA route has progressed significantly in the last two decades, and is capable of providing timely platform opportunities to tackle several global healthcare challenges. Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) engineering is a rapidly emerging technology set providing ample opportunities and scope to address key global healthcare challenges. From simple matrix particles for drug delivery to complex 3D structures for tissue engineering, EHDA‐enabled technologies are robust, flexible and tailored at ambient conditions. Technological developments in the field are fluid, indicating further exciting advances in the next decade.