EAGER: Drug Delivery Micro-device for Age-related Macular Degeneration

这笔急切的赠款的目的是通过计算模拟和针对特定的流量和输送时间优化设计，来调查植入装置设计的可行性并评估其完整性。这一目标将通过实施以下任务来实现：(I)发展设计概念，通过不同长度、高度和宽度的纳米通道阵列进行计算模拟，并模拟几个候选药物分子的药物释放动力学；以及(Ii)针对特定流速和输送时间优化设计。在优化设计的基础上，将探索出一个原型模型。这种使用计算和设计优化进行药物装置设计和完整性的方法从未被用于AMD装置，因为在尺寸和延长的递送时间方面存在挑战。智力价值这个项目是一个高风险和高回报的项目，将提供对药物输送设计中通过纳米通道的物理和机械相互作用的基本了解，并将为集成特征和植入式药物输送装置提供有价值的科学见解。研究AMD植入性装置的设计完整性和集成度，将有助于降低与频繁注射相关的成本和风险，并促进以受控的方式和治疗AMD疾病所需的量传递药物。影响本项目将设计和开发一种新型的植入性药物输送装置，包括具有受控药物动力学和传递时间的纳米通道，用于治疗AMD，从而造福于整个社会。该项目将为本科生和研究生提供与药物输送装置、计算研究和优化有关的多学科知识和培训。研究成果将被整合到皮埃尔？S教授的ME和欧洲经委会课程中。北卡罗来纳大学工程学院-S暑期充实项目将扩大到与该项目相关的工作，包括与高中生的外展活动。

The objective of this EAGER grant is to investigate the feasibility and assess the integrity of the implantable device design through computational simulations and optimizing the design for a specific flow rate and delivery time. This objective will be accomplished by implementing the following tasks: (i) Develop design concepts and conduct computational simulations through nano-channel arrays of varying length, height and width, and simulate the drug release kinetics for several candidate drug molecules; and (ii) Optimize the design for specific flow rate and delivery time. Based on the optimized design, a prototype model will be explored. This approach of using computations and design optimization for drug device design and integrity has never been examined for AMD devices due to challenges in size and extended delivery time.Intellectual meritThis project is a high-risk and high payoff and will provide a fundamental understanding of the physical and mechanical interactions through nano-channels of the drug delivery design and will provide valuable scientific insights into integration characteristics and implantable drug delivery devices. Investigating the design integrity and integration of implantable devices for AMD such as the one proposed in this EAGER project will help reduce the costs and risks associated with frequent injections and promote delivering the drug in a controlled manner and in the required amounts for treating AMD disease.Broader impactsThis project will design and develop a novel implantable drug delivery device incorporating nano-channels with controlled drug kinetics and delivery time for treating AMD, and thereby benefit society at large. This project will provide undergraduate and graduate students with multidisciplinary knowledge and training related to drug delivery devices, computational studies and optimization. The research results will be integrated into courses the PI?s teach in the ME and ECE curricula. The VCU School of engineering?s summer enrichment programs will be expanded to include this project related work in outreach activities with high school students.