Integrated MEMS microneedles and microelectrode arrays for biomedical applications

用于生物医学应用的集成 MEMS 微针和微电极阵列

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04542
• 负责人: Dalton, Colin
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752072
• 关键词: Integrated; MEMS; microneedles; microelectrode; arrays

There are many drawbacks to hypodermic needles, such as insertion pain, tissue trauma, and expertise needed to perform an injection. Microneedle arrays promise potentially painless extraction and infusion by penetrating only the upper part of the skin, avoiding the nerves. Hollow and solid microneedles are the two most common designs. Hollow microneedles work as their larger counterparts, with fluid flow through a tube piercing the skin. However they can suffer from clogging of the opening and have the potential to break. Solid microneedles are coated with a therapeutic agent, allowing drug molecules to dissolve into the surrounding tissue. The dosage depends on the microneedle area and therefore the yield is limited. This work will investigate new hollow microneedle designs and materials to overcome clogging issues and improve robustness.. To overcome the solid microneedle yield issue, new designs will be explored, such as the creation of microfluidic channels next to the base of the solid microneedles, to enable delivery of relevant amounts of drugs through the pierced tissue. Microfabrication methods are ideal to create microneedle arrays, as the materials are biocompatible, robust and designed for large-scale integration with other micro manufacturing processes. Integrating microneedles with suitable micropumping methods will enable a compact drug delivery or fluid extraction system to be developed. Physiological fluids such as blood contain many bio particles and pose difficulties as they can clog microfluidic systems and shear forces from mechanical pumping methods can damage cells. To tackle these challenges, non-mechanical micropumping methods known as electrokinetic micropumping will be investigated. Fluid is moved via electric fields and thus there are no moving parts, like a valve or membrane, for particles to adhere to or be damaged by. Electrokinetic systems are also inherently easier to control via digital electronics, making them ideal for integration with a microcontroller, enabling precise control of fluid flow in the microneedle system. This research will move from the bench to the bedside, by integrating microneedles and micropumps to create a microneedle system that can be used without direct medical intervention. We will achieve this by focusing on three specific aims: 1) Development of new hollow and solid microneedles 2) Development of electrokinetic micropumps 3) Creation of integrated microneedle systems. The diverse HQP supported by this work will learn cutting-edge microfabrication and simulation techniques. They will validate their ideas by designing, fabricating and testing microneedle systems. As with past HQP, this program will prepare them for future employment in the biomedical industry and academia. This research will lead to new technologies for drug delivery, improving quality of life for patients and benefitting the economy through reducing healthcare expenditures.

皮下注射针有许多缺点，如插入疼痛、组织创伤和进行注射所需的专业知识。微针阵列只穿透皮肤的上部，避开神经，有望实现无痛拔牙和输液。中空和实心微针是最常见的两种设计。中空微针的工作原理就像它们的大针头一样，液体流经一根刺穿皮肤的管子。然而，它们可能会受到开口堵塞的影响，并有可能破裂。固体微针被一种治疗剂包裹，允许药物分子溶解到周围组织中。剂量取决于微针面积，因此产量有限。这项工作将研究新的中空微针设计和材料，以克服堵塞问题，提高健壮性。为了克服固体微针的产量问题，将探索新的设计，例如在固体微针底部附近创建微流体通道，以使相关数量的药物能够通过被穿透的组织输送。微制造方法是制造微针阵列的理想方法，因为材料具有生物兼容性、坚固耐用，并且设计用于与其他微制造工艺的大规模集成。将微针与适当的微泵方法相结合，将能够开发出紧凑的药物输送或流体提取系统。血液等生理流体含有许多生物颗粒，会堵塞微流控系统，机械泵送方法产生的剪切力会破坏细胞，因此会造成困难。为了应对这些挑战，将研究被称为电动微泵的非机械微泵方法。流体通过电场运动，因此没有像阀门或薄膜这样的运动部件，让颗粒黏附或被损坏。电动系统本身也更易于通过数字电子设备进行控制，这使其成为与微控制器集成的理想选择，从而能够精确控制微针系统中的流体流动。这项研究将从工作台转移到床边，通过集成微针和微泵来创建一种无需直接医疗干预即可使用的微针系统。我们将通过专注于三个具体目标来实现这一目标：1)开发新的中空和实心微针；2)开发电动微泵；3)创建集成微针系统。这项工作支持的不同的HQP将学习尖端的微制造和模拟技术。他们将通过设计、制造和测试微针系统来验证他们的想法。与过去的HQP一样，该计划将为他们未来在生物医药行业和学术界的就业做好准备。这项研究将带来药物输送的新技术，改善患者的生活质量，并通过减少医疗支出使经济受益。