Nonlithographic fabrication of inflatable and deflatable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-channels for magnetic...

An implantable drug delivery device with an inflatable/deflatable reservoir, a release rate controlling micro-channel, a syringe attachable inlet, a unidirectional channel preventing drug substances from flowing back into the inlet, and a magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) outlet capable of on-demand drug release was designed and fabricated to realize effective drug therapy. The reservoir is refillable through the inlet. Therefore, the device is reusable. The device does not employ photolithography patterning. Vapor coating, a precise cutting plotter, a vinyl adhesive material, and oxygen plasma treatment were employed to fabricate the device. Drug release rate was controlled by the micro-channel attached to the reservoir. Micro-channels with widths 300μm, 400μm, 500μm and depth 95μm were tested. Drug release is executed by deflecting the magnetic membrane outlet by an external electromagnetic field generating source: a permanent magnet or a planar copper coil.