The objective of this research was to develop gelatin microspheres（GMSs） and study their properties for embolization.The GMSs were prepared by emulsion chemical crosslinking method.The morphology and particle size of GMSs were observed under an optical microscope.The ratio of water absorption and GMSs swelling ratio were measured.The elasticity of GMSs was studied by TMS-Pro food texture analyzer.The deliverability of GMSs through catheter was investigated with a new device designed in this study.Finally,the acetone residue was determined by headspace capillary gas chromatography.The dried GMSs were elliptic with corrugated surface and the wet GMSs were round with smooth surface.The average diameter of dried GMSs was 430.5 μm with a range of 100-1000 μm,and that of wet GMSs was 601.2 μm with a range of 150-1425 μm.The maximum ratio of water absorption was 590.7% and the average swelling ratio was 103.0%.The elasticity of GMSs was proven to be appropriate for embolization.Three subgroups of wet GMSs（100-450 μm,450-700 μm and 700-940 μm） were delivered through catheter with acceptable pressure.The content of residual acetone in GMSs was less than the minimum limit in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010.Therefore,we concluded that the GMSs were suitable for embolization according to the applicable properties in vitro.And the methods for assessing the properties of GMSs in this study were going to be useful in the evaluation of embolic microspheres.
