Lasered Graphene Microheaters Modified with Phase-Change Composites: New Approach to Smart Patch Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Controlled drug delivery systems are crucial for therapeutic efficacy.
• Passive diffusion methods often lack precise control over drug release kinetics.
• Phase-change materials (PCMs) offer potential for triggered release applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel smart patch for electronically controlled, repetitive curcumin delivery.
• To investigate the use of a paraffin wax and polypropylene glycol-based PCM for drug release.
• To integrate a graphene heater for precise thermal control of the PCM.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a phase-change material (PCM) using paraffin wax and a specific block copolymer.
• Fabrication of a graphene-based heater via laser-scribed polyimide.
• Integration of the PCM and heater into a smart patch device.
• Assessment of material properties and curcumin release under controlled thermal cycling.

Main Results:

• The developed smart patch successfully enabled electronically controlled curcumin release.
• Drug delivery was triggered by the solid-to-liquid phase transition of the PCM upon heating.
• Repetitive dosing was achieved with a delivery yield of 3.5 µg (4.5 µg/cm²) per 3-minute thermal cycle.

Conclusions:

• The smart patch represents a new approach for on-demand, repetitive drug delivery.
• Electronic control of PCM phase transition offers a viable alternative to passive diffusion for drug release.
• This technology holds promise for advanced transdermal therapeutic systems.