Biological lipid membranes for on-demand, wireless drug delivery from thin, bioresorbable electronic implants

Abstract

On-demand, localized release of drugs in precisely controlled, patient-specific time sequences represents an ideal scenario for pharmacological treatment of various forms of hormone imbalances, malignant cancers, osteoporosis, diabetic conditions and others. We present a wirelessly operated, implantable drug delivery system that offers such capabilities in a form that undergoes complete bioresorption after an engineered functional period, thereby obviating the need for surgical extraction. The device architecture combines thermally actuated lipid membranes embedded with multiple types of drugs, configured in spatial arrays and co-located with individually addressable, wireless elements for Joule heating. The result provides the ability for externally triggered, precision dosage of drugs with high levels of control and negligible unwanted leakage, all without the need for surgical removal. In vitro and in vivo investigations reveal all of the underlying operational and materials aspects, as well as the basic efficacy and biocompatibility of these systems. On-demand, wireless drug delivery is demonstrated using thin, bioresorbable electronic implants with biological lipid membranes. On-demand, targeted release of drugs in precisely controlled, patient-specific time sequences is the ideal way to administer drugs to treat various medical conditions. Now, a team of scientists in the USA, Korea and China, headed by John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has fabricated a wirelessly operated, implantable drug-delivery system that offers such capabilities. It is designed to be completely bioresorbed after a certain period, and thus does not need to be surgically removed after performing its function. The device combines the use of temperature-sensitive, lipid-based layered films with electronically programmable, frequency-multiplexed wireless hardware. The researchers note that other material systems such as hydrogel-based ones could be used in the place of lipid-based layered films. This paper describes materials and design strategies for wireless, bioresorbable drug delivery devices that allow localized release of drugs in precisely controlled, patient-specific time sequences. The device architecture combines completely bioresorbable wireless electronics and thermally actuated lipid membranes infused with multiple types of drugs, to enable remote time-controlled release profiles with near-zero leakage in the off-state. Complete bioresorption following an engineered operational lifetime eliminates unnecessary patient risk and device load on the body, without the need for surgical extraction. Systematic in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate the underlying principles and all of the relevant features of operation. The capabilities offered by this platform have potential utility in clinical therapies to improve patient compliance and the efficacy of current procedures.