Biomedical applications of fibers produced by electrospinning, microfluidic spinning and combinations of both

Abstract

Electrospinning and microfluidic spinning are two fascinating techniques used in the production of micro- and/or nano-fiber meshes with possible application in many scientific areas. Their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix of many tissues, high surface area, and porosity, and even their ability to create different fibrous structures according to their target application, justify their interest in the biomedical field. In this review, we present a detailed overview of two fiber processing methodologies—electrospinning and microfluidic spinning. The basic set-ups, the functional control of the process, the different types of fiber morphology and structures obtained, and their applications, most specifically in the biomedical field will address tissue-engineered scaffolds, wound healing, and drug delivery. Moreover, the production of fibrous systems combining electrospinning and microfluidics in innovative ways is also generating a growing interest in the scientific community. Hybrid technologies, usually engineered by the integration of electrospun fiber mats within a microfluidic chip, are also included in this review. The methods and the applications of those technologies such as hybrid tissue-engineered in vitro models, lab-on-a-chip devices, and platforms for in vitro cancer research are described. Furthermore, their challenges and future perspectives will also be discussed.