Micro- and nano-fabricated implantable drug-delivery systems: current state and future perspectives

Biography Ellis Meng received her BS degree in engineering and applied science and her MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, in 1997, 1998 and 2003, respectively. She is a professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles where she has been since 2004. She directs the Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory which specializes in biomicroelectromechanical systems, implantable biomedical microdevices, neural interfaces, and microfluidics. She is a recipient of the NSF CAREER, the Wallace H Coulter Foundation Early Career Translational Research, and the ASEE Curtis W McGraw Research Awards. In 2009, she was recognized as one of the TR35 Technology Review Young Innovators under 35. Roya Sheybani received her BS (2008) and MS (2009) degrees in biomedical engineering from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, where she is currently a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi and was coauthor of an Outstanding Paper Award from the 15th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems. She also received the best poster award at the 16th Annual Fred S Grodins Graduate Research Symposium (Grodins, 2012) and the 2nd place Wallace H Coulter Translational Research Partnership innovation award (2013). She is developing closed-loop implantable wireless microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) drug-delivery devices for management of chronic diseases. Drug therapy plays a critical role in the treatment and management of many chronic conditions. Its efficacy is, in part, linked to the administration route and regimen. Many systemically administered drugs are associated with severe side effects [1] that dramatically impact quality of life. Also, while many novel pharmaceutical compounds, including biologics, gene therapies, small molecules and other nanoparticle-based therapeutics, have high specificity and potency, they possess limited bioactivity, relatively short halflife and stability, and have difficulty bypassing physiological barriers to reach targeted tissues [2]. These factors contribute to their limited compatibility with oral or parenteral routes of administration. These administration methods pose challenges for long-term treatment, are associated with a narrow therapeutic window, and require complex dosing schedules with combination therapy or labile active ingredients [3]. Implantable drug-delivery devices can target drug delivery to specific tissues, thereby minimizing side effects associated with systemic delivery. They also improve titration, provide automation and improve compliance. Completely implanted devices can reduce discomfort and eliminate infection risks from transcutaneous parts [4]. Folkman and Long pioneered implantable drugdelivery systems by introducing polymeric membranes (silicone rubber) for controlling release rates in the 1960s [5]. Since then, microand nano-fabrication technologies have enabled implantable miniaturized drugdelivery systems that can provide the desired drug release profile [4]. Drug administration Microand nano-fabricated implantable drug-delivery systems: current state and future perspectives