Abstract
In this paper, we report a thin magnetic micropump embedded in contact lens, which is capable of on-demand one-directional drug delivery. The proposed micropump can be actuated by the external magnetic field whenever needed without the need of battery. A micro check valve was integrated with the micropump for one-directional drug delivery from the micropump to the post-lens tear film. With actuation of the external magnetic field, the micro check valve is opened, and on-demand drug release can be realized. On the contrary, without an external magnetic field, the micro check valve is closed, and the undesired drug diffusion can be prevented. Through the control of the strength and the frequency of the magnetic field pulse, on-demand drug release and controlled dose can be realized.
Highlights
In the recent decades, ophthalmic drug delivery has been extensively studied, but the drug delivery to the anterior chamber of eye is still a very challenging task [1,2,3]
These methods are relatively easy for drug delivery, they are accompanied by several disadvantages: low bioavailability to target ocular tissue, due to various pre-corneal loss factors, such as tearing and blinking, non-productive absorption through conjunctiva [4,5,6]
Therapeutic contact lenses have been proposed for ocular drug delivery, due to their unique properties such as extended wear, high corneal bioavailability and long drug residence time in comparison
Summary
Ophthalmic drug delivery has been extensively studied, but the drug delivery to the anterior chamber of eye is still a very challenging task [1,2,3]. High dose and dosing frequency of eye drops is prescribed to compensate for the low bioavailability, but it causes the side effects and reduces patient compliance [7, 8]. To address these drawbacks, therapeutic contact lenses have been proposed for ocular drug delivery, due to their unique properties such as extended wear, high corneal bioavailability (more than 50%) and long drug residence time (over 30 min) in comparison
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