Spatiotemporally Controllable Chemical Delivery Utilizing Electroosmotic Flow Generated in Combination of Anionic and Cationic Hydrogels

Abstract

AbstractSpatiotemporally controlled chemical delivery is crucial for various biomedical engineering applications. Here, a novel concept of electrically controllable delivery utilizing electroosmotic flow (EOF) generated in a combination of anionic and cationic hydrogels (A‐ and C‐hydrogels) is reported. The unique advantages of the A/C‐hydrogel combination are demonstrated utilizing a flexible sheet‐shaped and a thin tubular devices. Since the directions of EOF in the A‐ and C‐hydrogels are opposite to each other, the ionic current for EOF generation flows inside the delivery devices, enabling chemical delivery without accompanying external ionic current that could stimulate target cells and tissues. A thin tubular device, which can be inserted into narrow in vivo structures and be integrated with other flexible devices, exhibits high robustness and repeatability thanks to the flexibility and water retentivity of hydrogels. The EOF devices with A/C‐hydrogels combination show high controllability superior to the pumping with a conventional syringe; the volumetric flow rate is able to be controlled proportionally to the current applied, for example, ≈0.4 µL (mA min)−1 for the tubular device. The developed EOF‐based devices are versatile for delivery of most chemicals regardless of their charge and size, and have great potential for both biomedical researches and therapeutics.