Drug Delivery Micropump with Built-In Monitoring

Abstract

We report on the fabrication of the first MEMS micropump including an integrated pressure sensor. The signal of this sensor allows direct insight into the pump's operating dynamics and enables real-time self-monitoring. We demonstrate the changes in the sensor signal under different pumping conditions, including the presence of air in the pumping chamber and a downstream occlusions. Deviations from normal operating conditions create clear and characteristic deviations from the normal signal. These deviations will be exploited to detect extraordinary or faulty pumping conditions during use.

Accuracy of a New Patch Pump Based on a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) Compared to Other Commercially Available Insulin Pumps

“…Because of the rigidity of the system (silica chip, membrane), the JP showed a quick response to a full occlusion (after 3 or 4 strokes) compared to other pumps made of more readily deformable materials (plunger, plastic reservoir, catheter). 18 Previous studies on cessation of rapid delivery of insulin analogues showed that glycemic changes began to occur 1 hour after cessation and were more consistent after 2 or 3 hours. [19][20][21][22] In the case of a 2-hour overnight insulin cessation, glucose levels at the end of the interruption period rose by 16 ± 34 mg/dL at 2 hours and by 63 ± 57 mg/ dL at 4 hours.…”

MEMS: Enabled Drug Delivery Systems

“…The device is driven by a battery-powered piezoelectric actuator that delivers insulin from a disposable reservoir worn as a patch on the skin for seven days. [ 96 ] The system can be wirelessly programmed and monitored using a cell phone. [ 97 ] While this system is in fi nal stages of development in Europe, Debiotech is also in the process of further miniaturizing the device so that it can be completely implanted inside the body.…”

Micro- and nano-fabricated Implantable drug-delivery Systems

“…Various methods have been explored for pumping at the microscale including nonmechanical mechanisms, such as electrohydrodynamic, electroosmotic, ultrasounic and thermo-capillary mechanisms [39], as well as mechanical mechanisms such as electrostatic [40-44], piezo-electric [45-55], electrochemical [56-64], thermal [65-69], shape memory alloy [70,71], bimetallic and electromagnetic mechanisms. These and other drug-delivery mechanisms are explored in more depth in several engineering-focused reviews [72-75].…”

“…The JewelPump is designed to be worn on the skin as a patch and comes with a 4.5 ml reservoir [104]. The piezoelectric pump contains a pair of mechanical oneway (check) valves to control flow direction and also a double limiter feature that provides accurate and repeatable control of fluid packets delivered by the pump with each reciprocation cycle [45,47]. An active microport system concept was proposed by an academic group using a piezoelectric pump for patient-specific, continuous release of antiangiogenic drugs targeting metronomic and chronotherapies against cancer [54,55].…”