Integrated MEMS microneedles and microelectrode arrays for biomedical applications

用于生物医学应用的集成 MEMS 微针和微电极阵列

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04542
• 负责人: Dalton, Colin
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752072
• 关键词: Integrated; MEMS; microneedles; microelectrode; arrays

There are many drawbacks to hypodermic needles, such as insertion pain, tissue trauma, and expertise needed to perform an injection. Microneedle arrays promise potentially painless extraction and infusion by penetrating only the upper part of the skin, avoiding the nerves. Hollow and solid microneedles are the two most common designs. Hollow microneedles work as their larger counterparts, with fluid flow through a tube piercing the skin. However they can suffer from clogging of the opening and have the potential to break. Solid microneedles are coated with a therapeutic agent, allowing drug molecules to dissolve into the surrounding tissue. The dosage depends on the microneedle area and therefore the yield is limited. This work will investigate new hollow microneedle designs and materials to overcome clogging issues and improve robustness.. To overcome the solid microneedle yield issue, new designs will be explored, such as the creation of microfluidic channels next to the base of the solid microneedles, to enable delivery of relevant amounts of drugs through the pierced tissue. Microfabrication methods are ideal to create microneedle arrays, as the materials are biocompatible, robust and designed for large-scale integration with other micro manufacturing processes. Integrating microneedles with suitable micropumping methods will enable a compact drug delivery or fluid extraction system to be developed. Physiological fluids such as blood contain many bio particles and pose difficulties as they can clog microfluidic systems and shear forces from mechanical pumping methods can damage cells. To tackle these challenges, non-mechanical micropumping methods known as electrokinetic micropumping will be investigated. Fluid is moved via electric fields and thus there are no moving parts, like a valve or membrane, for particles to adhere to or be damaged by. Electrokinetic systems are also inherently easier to control via digital electronics, making them ideal for integration with a microcontroller, enabling precise control of fluid flow in the microneedle system. This research will move from the bench to the bedside, by integrating microneedles and micropumps to create a microneedle system that can be used without direct medical intervention. We will achieve this by focusing on three specific aims: 1) Development of new hollow and solid microneedles 2) Development of electrokinetic micropumps 3) Creation of integrated microneedle systems. The diverse HQP supported by this work will learn cutting-edge microfabrication and simulation techniques. They will validate their ideas by designing, fabricating and testing microneedle systems. As with past HQP, this program will prepare them for future employment in the biomedical industry and academia. This research will lead to new technologies for drug delivery, improving quality of life for patients and benefitting the economy through reducing healthcare expenditures.

皮下注射针有许多缺点，例如插入疼痛、组织创伤以及进行注射所需的专业知识。微针阵列仅穿透皮肤的上部，避开神经，有望实现无痛提取和输注。空心和实心微针是两种最常见的设计。中空微针的工作原理与较大的微针相同，液体流过一根刺穿皮肤的管子。然而，它们可能会受到开口堵塞的影响，并有可能破裂。实心微针涂有治疗剂，使药物分子溶解到周围组织中。剂量取决于微针面积，因此产量有限。 这项工作将研究新的空心微针设计和材料，以克服堵塞问题并提高稳健性。为了克服实心微针产量问题，将探索新的设计，例如在实心微针底部旁边创建微流体通道，以能够通过刺穿的组织输送相关量的药物。 微加工方法是制造微针阵列的理想选择，因为这些材料具有生物相容性、坚固性，并且专为与其他微制造工艺大规模集成而设计。将微针与合适的微泵方法相结合将能够开发出紧凑的药物输送或液体提取系统。 血液等生理液体含有许多生物颗粒，会造成困难，因为它们会堵塞微流体系统，而机械泵送方法产生的剪切力会损坏细胞。为了应对这些挑战，将研究称为动电微泵的非机械微泵方法。流体通过电场移动，因此没有可移动的部件（例如阀门或薄膜）供颗粒粘附或损坏。动电系统本质上也更容易通过数字电子设备进行控制，这使得它们非常适合与微控制器集成，从而能够精确控制微针系统中的流体流动。这项研究将从实验室转移到床边，通过集成微针和微泵来创建无需直接医疗干预即可使用的微针系统。我们将通过关注三个具体目标来实现这一目标：1）开发新型空心和实心微针2）开发电动微泵3）创建集成微针系统。这项工作支持的多元化总部将学习尖端的微加工和模拟技术。他们将通过设计、制造和测试微针系统来验证他们的想法。与过去的 HQP 一样，该计划将为他们未来在生物医学行业和学术界的就业做好准备。这项研究将带来新的药物输送技术，改善患者的生活质量，并通过减少医疗保健支出使经济受益。