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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
An implantable MEMS drug delivery device for rapid delivery in ambulatory emergency care
N M Elman1, H L Ho Duc, M J Cima
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, 12-011, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. nelman@mit.edu
Abstract:
We introduce the first implantable drug delivery system based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) technology specifically designed as a platform for treatment in ambulatory emergency care. The device is named IRD(3) (implantable rapid drug delivery device) and allows rapid delivery of drugs. Vasopressin was used as a model drug for in vitro tests as it is a commonly used drug for cardiac resuscitation. Experimental results reveal that the IRD(3) provides an effective method for rapid delivery without significant drug degradation. Several medical uses and delivery modalities for IRD(3) are proposed.
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