This technology is an implantable microelectromechanical systems (iMEMS) device that may be remotely activated for targeted drug delivery in vivo.
Implantable medical devices promise to achieve targeted drug delivery of therapeutics to a region of interest without the potential harmful side effects of systemic administration. However, many medical devices themselves exhibit poor biocompatibility or are difficult to control by external signals. As such, there is a need for a biocompatible implantable device that is easily manipulated by external signals for regulated drug delivery.
This technology is an iMEMS device that enables targeted drug delivery. Unlike existing devices, this technology is fabricated from biocompatible polymers with tunable mechanical properties and permeability. The iMEMS device contains a drug reservoir formed from a responsive polymer that is externally activated by a magnetic field, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or infrared radiation. Upon external activation, the responsive polymer releases the drug for targeted drug delivery. As HIFU achieves greater tissue penetration than magnetic fields or infrared radiation, a HIFU-activated iMEMS device may achieve controlled drug delivery even in deeper tissues.
This technology has been demonstrated in a mouse model of osteosarcoma for triggered release of doxorubicin with high efficacy and low toxicity compared to systemic chemotherapy.
IR CU12020, IR CU12228
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu
