Wireless electrochemical drug delivery micropump with fully integrated electrochemical dose tracking feedback system

2015-12-19Drug delivery is essential for the treatment of chronic diseases. Implantable site‐specific drug delivery devices can deliver a potent and effective dose of drug directly to the site of therapy, improving treatment outcomes while reducing potential side effects and the risk of infection due to catheters running through the skin. These factors serve to increase patient comfort and decrease overall associated healthcare costs for the treatment of chronic conditions. A MEMS approach miniaturizes infusion pumps such that they are implantable; wirelessly powered to eliminate the use of bulky, limited lifetime batteries; and volume efficient. Wireless data communication allows device status and performance to be monitored remotely as well as remotely initiated changes to the drug regimen by caregivers throughout the course of treatment to tailor the drug regimen to the individual needs of each patient. This work focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of a wireless, programmable, low power electrochemical micropump capable of delivering liquid drug formulations within a wide dynamic range of dose volumes and flow rates suitable for the management of chronic conditions. This system rapidly responds to changes in regimen for on‐demand control and has a fully integrated wireless electrochemically based dose tracking system that is capable of real‐time tracking and confirmation of delivery, as well as assessing and recording changes in reservoir content, delivery flow rate, blockages in the delivery catheter, and drug refills