Concept for a gas-cell-driven drug delivery system for therapeutic applications

Abstract

This paper presents a concept for an implantable micro-pump based on hydrogen-generating gas cells. The gas-generating cell is separated from the drug reservoir by an expandable latex membrane. The system offers linear drug delivery with flowrates ranging from 8 nl/s to 2 microl/s and a total delivery volume of up to 160 ml. Drugs can be dispensed over a wide backpressure range. The device is scalable based on the size of the gas-producing cell and requires no external energy source. Possible fields of application include in vivo local drug delivery for chemotherapy, diabetes, and pain management.