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High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices
Published on: September 2, 2009
Experimental study of an automated system for the delivery of eyedrops using a microinfusion pump
Ji Won Kwon1, Jung Suk Kim, Soo Bong Choi
1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Chongno-Gu, Korea.
Purpose:
To determine the feasibility of using a commercially available microinfusion pump for the continuous delivery of eye drops using a rabbit model.
Design:
Laboratory investigation.
Methods:
Tear secretion was measured after attaching a microinfusion pump to the superior fornix of a rabbit. The pump was set to deliver artificial tears continuously. A rabbit eye was first chemically burned with 1N NaOH, the pump was then set to deliver 0.1% fluorometholone continuously. Results were compared with those obtained using 0.1% fluorometholone.
Results:
Schirmer tests indicated that an average of 22.3 mm in eyes supported by a pump and an average of 10.3 mm in eyes without pump. Moreover, eyes treated with corticosteroid delivered by pump recovered faster than those treated with topical corticosteroid.
Conclusions:
The continuous delivery of eye drops by a microinfusion pump could be applicable to patients with severe dry eyes or ocular surface diseases. Further study should be needed.
