Development of Time-Programmed, Dual-Release System Using Multilayered Fiber Mesh Sheet by Sequential Electrospinning

Abstract

In general clinical pharmacotherapy, multidrug therapy is performed with a view to enhancing drug efficacy or reducing drug’s side effects. It is essential that a Drug Delivery System (DDS) for plural drugs be developed to make multidrug therapy more functional and effective. In this review, we summarize prior DDS research and recent developmental efforts for multi-DDS, as well as of the electrospinning (ELSP) method, which has recently attracted great attention as preparation technique of fine polymer fiber in various fields. We also describe a time-programmed dual-drug controlled-release system using multilayered fiber mesh sheets that have been fabricated by a sequential ELSP method we developed. In addition, we address developmental approaches for DDS devices using micromachining technologies (MEMS) as well as issues and future expectations for robotics in DDS research.