Piezopumps for Microchemical Stimulation of Tissue

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Injecting biologically active solutions into cells and tissues is an integral part of most biomedical research, but the instrumentation available for these procedures is crude, cumbersome, and imprecise. Dr. David B. Wallace with MicroFab Technologies, Inc. has developed a solid-state piezoelectric "pump" that could replace mechanical pumps, iontophoresis, and pressure-injection systems in many biomedical research applications. Compared to conventional systems, the piezoelectric pump could provide vastly smaller pumping volumes, greater reliability and accuracy, simultaneous "push-pull" pumping modes, and convenient (solid-state) automation and control of fluid delivery/removal programs. MicroFab plans to build and test piezoelectric pumps for injecting drugs into tissues or cells. The firm has developed piezopumps for many applications, but biomedical uses will require pumping through considerable smaller orifices and against higher fluid resistance. MicroFab will test piezopump performance under simulated intravital pumping conditions and determine such matters as minimum orifice for reliable pumping, minimum and maximum reliable flow rates, and pumping accuracy. The piezoelectric pumping system could substantially expand the research capabilities of most biomedical research laboratories; procedures now difficult or impossible may be come routine with the solid-state pump.