Wirelessly Actuated Microfluidic Pump and Valve for Controlled Liquid Delivery in Dental Implants

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Controllable liquid release in dental implants is vital for therapeutic functions, including antibiotic delivery and stem cell infusion.
• Current limitations exist due to the lack of wireless and miniaturized fluidic control mechanisms for dental implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate wireless miniature pumps and valves for controlled liquid cargo delivery in dental implants.
• To enable precise, on-demand therapeutic agent administration at the implant-bone interface.

Main Methods:

• A magnet-screw mechanism was designed to act as a piston pump within a fluidic channel.
• A flexible magnetic valve was engineered to control fluid flow.
• Mechanisms were actuated and controlled using external magnetic fields (<65 mT).

Main Results:

• Demonstrated storage and release of up to 52 µL of liquid within a dental implant.
• Successfully delivered liquid cargo directly to the implant-bone interface.
• Showcased on-demand liquid delivery in dental phantoms and porcine jawbones.

Conclusions:

• The developed wireless miniature fluidic mechanisms offer a promising solution for minimally invasive, controllable liquid release in dental implants.
• These advancements pave the way for implantable devices enabling long-term, targeted delivery of therapeutic agents in bioengineering applications.