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Published on: September 2, 2009
Continuous on-chip micropumping for microneedle enhanced drug delivery
Jeffrey D Zahn1, Ajay Deshmukh, Albert P Pisano
1Department of Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University and Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, 94720-1774, USA. jdz10@psu.edu
Biomedical Microdevices
|September 21, 2004
Summary
This study integrates microneedles with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) micropump for continuous drug delivery. The novel device demonstrates reliable, compact therapeutic delivery for portable applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfabrication
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Microneedles offer minimally invasive drug delivery but require compact, integrated pumping mechanisms for portable devices.
- Existing drug delivery systems often lack the miniaturization necessary for seamless microneedle integration.
- Continuous and controlled therapeutic administration is crucial for many microneedle-based applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate microneedles integrated with an on-chip MEMS positive displacement micropump.
- To enable continuous drug delivery using a compact, portable system.
- To validate the performance and reliability of the integrated microneedle-micropump device.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microneedles integrated with a MEMS positive displacement micropump.
- Utilizing thermally generated bubbles and directional check valves for net fluid pumping.
- Employing visualization methods to quantify flow rates and pressures.
- Conducting long-term continuous pumping tests to assess device durability.
Main Results:
- Achieved net flow rates of approximately 2.0 nl/s of water from a microneedle at 3.9 kPa.
- Demonstrated continuous pumping for over 6 hours.
- Verified device reliability with heaters actuating for over 18 hours (15,000 cycles) without failure.
Conclusions:
- The integrated microneedle-micropump system provides a viable solution for compact, continuous drug delivery.
- The MEMS micropump design ensures reliable and sustained therapeutic administration.
- This technology advances the development of next-generation portable drug delivery devices.
