Local drug delivery with a self-contained, programmable, microfluidic system.

ABSTRACT: The development and optimization of many new drug therapies requires long-term local delivery with controlled, but variable dosage. Current methods for chronic drug delivery have limited utility because they either cannot deliver drugs locally to a specific organ or tissue, do not permit changes in delivery rate in situ, or cannot be used in clinical trials in an untethered, wearable configuration. Here, we describe a small, self-contained system for liquid-phase drug delivery. This system enables studies lasting several months and infusion rates can be programmed and modified remotely. A commercial miniature pump is integrated with microfabricated components to generate ultralow flow rates and stroke volumes. Solutions are delivered in pulses as small as 370 nL, with pulses delivered at a

SUBMITTER: Fiering J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935585 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature