Micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) based implantable drug delivery devices represent a promising approach to achieving
more precise dosing, faster release and better localization of therapeutic compounds than is possible with existing technology.
Despite recent advancements, there remain challenges in being able to build systems that enable active control over the dose
rate and release time, in a robust, low power but simple to fabricate package. Here we demonstrate an implantable microreservoir
device that enables delivery of dose volumes as high as 15 μl using an electrochemically based transport mechanism. This approach
allows for a significant reduction in the amount of time required for drug delivery as well as reducing the dependence on
the external physiological conditions. We present the overall design, operating principle and construction of the device,
and experimental results showing the volume transport rate as a function of the strength of the applied electric field. The
concentration profile
vs. time, the power consumption, and ejection efficiency are also investigated. To demonstrate the medical utility of the device
we also characterize the
in-vitro release of vasopressin.
Keywords Drug delivery - Microfluidics - Electrochemical reaction - Vasopressin - Microwell