ABSTRACT
Objective: To prepare an X-ray developable alginate-barium sulfate microspheres as material for embolic agent. Methods: The emulsification-internal gelation technique was used to prepare alginate microspheres and the orthogonal design was adopted to optimize the technique. The diameter, shape, dispersibility, stability, suspension property, coating ratio and developability under X-ray of the microspheres were examined. Results: The average diameter of the microspheres was (53. 08± 32. 72) μm; they were well distributed and had a round shape. The ratio of the destroyed microspheres was (2. 0±1, 1) % after heated at 100°C for 2 h,(86. 0± 19. 2)% after frozen at - 4°C for 24 h, (39. 0± 14. 7)% after vibrated at 37°C for 24 h, and (10. 3±3. 2)% after irradiated with 60Co(10kGy) for 0. 5 h. The ratio of sedimentation volume in 0. 25 % suspension of sodium alginate microspheres was (0. 92±0. 018). The coating rate was (69. 2±13.2) % when the feeding amount of barium sulfate was 2. 0 g, and the result of X-ray development was good. Conclusion: Alginate-chitosan can be used for the preparation of barium sulfate microspheres; and the emulsification-internal gelation technique can prepare the microspheres with good dispersibility and shape.