MEMS-enabled implantable drug infusion pumps for laboratory animal research, preclinical, and clinical applications

Abstract

Innovation in implantable drug delivery devices is needed for novel pharmaceutical compounds such as certain biologics, gene therapy, and other small molecules that are not suitable for administration by oral, topical, or intravenous routes. This invasive dosing scheme seeks to directly bypass physiological barriers presented by the human body, release the appropriate drug amount at the site of treatment, and maintain the drug bioavailability for the required duration of administration to achieve drug efficacy. Advances in microtechnologies have led to novel MEMS-enabled implantable drug infusion pumps with unique performance and feature sets. In vivo demonstration of micropumps for laboratory animal research and preclinical studies include acute rapid radiolabeling, short-term delivery of nanomedicine for cancer treatment, and chronic ocular drug dosing. Investigation of MEMS actuators, valves, and other microstructures for on-demand dosing control may enable next generation implantable pumps with high performance within a miniaturized form factor for clinical applications.

Short-range remote powering for long-term implanted sensor systems in freely moving small animals

“…The overall weight and size of the implantable system is crucial for small animals especially mice. The implant must be 10% or less of the body weight of the animal [14]. Fig.5 shows the implantable micro-system for small animals.…”

MEMS: Enabled Drug Delivery Systems

“…[ 12 ] These systems are generally simple in format and therefore easy to fabricate. Since an external power source is not required, it is possible to for such devices to have minimal footprint.…”

On-demand wireless infusion rate control in an implantable micropump for patient-tailored treatment of chronic conditions

“…More importantly, drug dosing affects the therapeutic window. Following successful drug administration, the clinical need for additional pharmacological intervention for certain conditions diminishes transiently while the ratio of risk to benefit dramatically increases [10]. Controlled patient-tailored drug administration avoids the peak and trough time course of drug concentrations in the plasma between successive doses and the corresponding peak and trough pattern of drug action, leading to therapies that mimic chronobiological patterns [3,11,12].…”