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Construction and Implantation of a Microinfusion System for Sustained Delivery of Neuroactive Agents.
Published on: March 17, 2008
Constant pressure fluid infusion into rat neocortex from implantable microfluidic devices
S T Retterer1, K L Smith, C S Bjornsson
1Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
Journal of Neural Engineering
|October 2, 2008
Summary
This study shows that controlled drug delivery using microfluidic implants can reduce tissue damage around brain implants. This technique enhances the stability and effectiveness of neuroprosthetic devices for brain-computer interfaces.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- Implantable electrode arrays are crucial for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
- Device stability is limited by reactive tissue responses to brain implants.
- Local drug delivery can mitigate these responses and improve device longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pressure-mediated drug release from implantable microfluidic devices in rat cortex.
- To assess the efficacy of controlled infusion in addressing tissue volumes and reducing damage.
Main Methods:
- An implantable microfluidic platform was used for drug delivery in rat brains.
- Constant pressure infusion (0, 5, 10 psi) of fluorescent markers was applied.
- Epifluorescence, confocal microscopy, and image analysis quantified affected tissue volumes.
Main Results:
- Pressure-mediated infusion (5 and 10 psi) significantly increased the addressed tissue volume compared to diffusion (0 psi).
- The infused volume exceeded the area of insertion-related cell damage.
- Hoescht 33342 and propidium iodide staining confirmed these findings.
Conclusions:
- Constant pressure infusion is a viable method for targeted drug delivery around neuroprosthetic implants.
- This approach can effectively manage reactive tissue responses, enhancing device stability.
- Optimized drug delivery holds promise for advancing BCI technology.
