Microchip Drug Delivery Systems

需要有控制的方法将化学品释放到生物环境中，这在医学上是至关重要的。一种可以实现这种传递的媒介是一种自给自足、生物兼容和可植入的装置，用于在较长的时间内同时传递单一药物或药物组合。该系统的众多优点包括多种药物复杂的释放模式和减少全身副作用的定向释放。这项研究将继续使用制造技术来生产这种装置，以生产用于药物输送的微芯片。具体地说，在合作者进行体内研究之前，将在体外模型系统中探索关于设备可行性的两个问题。首先，将使用光刻和蚀刻方法处理必要组件的并入，例如对电极，然后使用半透膜进行隔离。其次，将采用电化学和表面化学技术(在电位沉积和自组装下)来防止用于保护药物外壳的金属电极表面的生物污染。

The need for controlled methods to release chemicals into biological environments is paramount in medicine. One medium by which this delivery can occur is a self-contained, biocompatible and implantable device used to deliver single drugs over extended periods of time or combinations of drugs simultaneously. Among the numerous advantages of this system are complex patterns of release for multiple drugs and directed release reducing systemic side-effects. This research will continue toward the production of such a device using fabrication technologies to produce microchips for drug delivery. Specifically, two issues regarding the feasibility of the devices will be explored in model in vitro systems prior to collaborators' investigations in vivo. First, incorporation of necessary components, such as a counter electrode, will be addressed using lithographic and etch methods followed by isolation using semi-permeable membranes. Second, electrochemical and surface chemistry techniques (both under potential deposition and self-assembly) will be employed to prevent biofouling of the metal electrode surfaces used to protect the housing for the drug.