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: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=740025
• 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.

皮下注射针的缺点，例如插入疼痛，组织创伤以及进行注射所需的专业知识。微针阵列有望通过仅穿透皮肤的上部，避免神经，有可能无痛的提取和输注。空心和实心微针是最常见的两个设计。空心的微针作为较大的对应物的工作，流体流过管，刺穿了皮肤。但是，他们可能会遭受开口堵塞的困扰，并有可能破裂。固体微针涂有治疗剂，使药物分子溶于周围的组织。剂量取决于微针面积，因此产量受到限制。 这项工作将调查新的空心微针设计和材料，以克服堵塞问题并改善鲁棒性。为了克服固体微针产量问题，将探索新的设计，例如建立在固体微乳腺基础附近的微流体通道，以通过刺穿的药物提供相关的药物量。 微加工方法是创建微针阵列的理想选择，因为这些材料具有生物相容性，可靠且设计用于与其他微型制造工艺进行大规模集成。使用合适的微型倾斜方法整合微对基团将使紧凑的药物输送或流体提取系统得以开发。 生理流体（如血液）含有许多生物颗粒和构成困难，因为它们可以堵塞微流体系统和机械泵送方法中的剪切力会损害细胞。为了应对这些挑战，将研究称为电动微倾斜的非机械微倾斜方法。流体是通过电场移动的，因此没有运动部件，例如阀门或膜，可以粘附或损坏颗粒。电动系统也可以固有地易于通过数字电子设备控制，从而使其非常适合与微控制器集成，从而可以精确控制微孔系统中的流体流动。这项研究将通过集成微对胶和微型聚会来创建可在没有直接医疗干预的情况下使用的微针系统，从而从长凳转移到床边。我们将通过关注三个特定目标来实现这一目标：1）开发新的空心和固体微孔系2）电动微型聚会的开发3）创建集成的微针系统。这项工作支持的多样化的HQP将学习尖端的微型制造和仿真技术。他们将通过设计，制造和测试微针系统来验证自己的想法。与过去的HQP一样，该计划将为他们准备在生物医学行业和学术界的未来就业做好准备。这项研究将导致用于药物输送的新技术，改善患者的生活质量，并通过减少医疗支出使经济受益。