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Implantable Optofluidic Systems for Wireless In Vivo Photopharmacology
Author(s) -
Qazi Raza,
Yeon Kim Choong,
Kang Inho,
Binazarov Dauren,
McCall Jordan G.,
Jeong JaeWoong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemphotochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2367-0932
DOI - 10.1002/cptc.202000217
Subject(s) - photostimulation , nanotechnology , computer science , wireless , optogenetics , drug delivery , biomedical engineering , neuroscience , materials science , engineering , telecommunications , biology
Photopharmacology, which uses chemical photoswitches for the optical manipulation of biological process, holds immense potential for neuroscience and clinical medicine due to its high specificity, fast response, and versatility. However, enabling photopharmacology in living subjects has been an arduous undertaking mainly because of limitations of the available tools. Conventional approaches to drug delivery and photostimulation involve the use of bulky, rigid, and tethered implants in the form of metal cannulas and optical fibers. These prevent highly precise, spatially matching stimulation with drugs and light, aggravates adverse tissue responses, and causes undue stress in the freely‐moving subject. Recent advances in materials science and device engineering have led to the development of miniaturized, standalone multimodal implants referred to as “optofluidic” devices, which allow wireless delivery of both light and drugs. Herein, we review state‐of‐the‐art wireless optofluidic systems, which can open up new horizons for in vivo photopharmacology, and discuss future directions for further technology developments.