Microchip Drug Delivery Systems

在医学中，对释放化学物质到生物环境中的受控方法的需求是至关重要的。一种可以进行这种递送的介质是用于在延长的时间段内递送单一药物或同时递送药物组合的自含式、生物相容性和可植入装置。该系统的众多优点之一是多种药物的复杂释放模式和减少全身副作用的定向释放。这项研究将继续朝着生产这样一种设备，使用制造技术生产用于药物输送的微芯片。具体而言，在合作者进行体内研究之前，将在体外系统模型中探索关于器械可行性的两个问题。首先，将使用光刻和蚀刻方法解决必要组件（例如对电极）的并入，然后使用半渗透膜进行隔离。第二，将采用电化学和表面化学技术（在电势沉积和自组装下）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.