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Wearable transdermal drug delivery system controlled by wirelessly powered acoustic waves
Jikai Zhang1, Feixuan Yang1, Haimeng Wu1
1Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
Summary
Wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology offers a new approach for transdermal drug delivery. This cable-free platform enhances drug penetration through the skin, providing a safer and more convenient alternative to wired systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Acoustic Technology
Background:
- Transdermal drug administration is an alternative drug delivery route.
- Surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology enhances transdermal delivery.
- Conventional cable-connected SAW systems have limitations: inconvenience, poor wearability, and restricted miniaturization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a wireless-powered transport strategy for transdermal delivery of large molecules using a thin-film SAW platform.
- To overcome the limitations of cable-connected SAW systems.
- To evaluate the efficiency and safety of wireless SAW transdermal drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Developed a thin-film-based wireless SAW platform for transdermal drug delivery.
- Utilized interfacial acoustic stimulation, localized acoustic heating, and streaming/micro-cavitation to enhance drug penetration.
- Evaluated performance using synthetic skin-like agarose gel and pig skin tissue models.
- Delivered hyaluronate rhodamine (5000 Da) transdermally into pig skin.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated wireless transdermal delivery of hyaluronate rhodamine (5000 Da) into pig skin.
- Achieved approximately 77.89% of the efficiency of conventional cable-connected SAW platforms.
- Wireless power transfer reduced potential heating effects and localized tissue damage.
Conclusions:
- Wireless SAW technology is a promising alternative for enhancing transdermal drug delivery.
- This approach offers a safer, more effective, and user-friendly therapeutic solution.
- Eliminates physical connections, improving wearability and integration.
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