Microspheres: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Microspheres are spherical microparticles ranging from 1 to 1000 µm in diameter, with diverse applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and environmental science. Their unique physical properties, including high surface area, tunable porosity, controlled release mechanisms, and biocompatibility, make them valuable in biomedical and industrial fields. Various fabrication techniques, such as emulsion-solvent evaporation, spray drying, phase separation, and polymerization, allow precise control over microsphere characteristics, enabling targeted and sustained drug delivery. Microspheres can be composed of biodegradable polymers, ceramics, glass, or metals, with functionalization strategies enhancing their specificity and efficacy. Despite their advantages, challenges such as large-scale production, biocompatibility, and controlled drug release persist. Future advancements in microsphere technology focus on stimuli-responsive systems, enhanced targeting, and novel biodegradable materials to improve therapeutic outcomes. This review explores the fundamental properties, classification, preparation methods, applications, and future perspectives of microspheres in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Keywords: Microspheres, drug delivery, controlled release, biodegradable polymers, tissue engineering, diagnostics, fabrication techniques, stimuli-responsive systems, functionalized microspheres, biomedical applications.