Thursday June 30, 2005
Friday July 1, 2005

"Micromachined poly(methyl methacrylate) devices: the impact of controlled geometry on oral drug delivery from cell-targeting to bioavailability "
Dr. Sarah Lynn Tao
Boston University

Advances in microelectomechanical systems (MEMS) have allowed the microfabrication of polymeric substrates and the development of a novel class of controlled delivery devices. These vehicles have specifically tailored three-dimensional physical and chemical features which, together, provide the capacity to target cells, promote unidirectional controlled release, and enhance permeation across the intestinal epithelial barrier. In this research, the strengths of microfabrication and micromachining are capitalized to create a completely novel, multifunctional microdevice for applications in oral drug delivery. In contrast to standard microparticulate oral delivery vehicles, such as microspheres, the shape of microfabricated devices may be specifically designed flat and thin to maximize contact area with the intestinal lining. This flat design minimizes the side areas exposed to the constant flow of liquids through the intestine. The devices can also be microfabricated to incorporate single or multiple drug reservoirs, serving as depots for any number of drugs or biomolecules of interest. When filled with a given hydrogel solution, these reservoirs allow for customized unidirectional release of the drugs as opposed to the multidirectional release pattern associated with traditional spherical systems. Furthermore, the device can be asymmetrically surface modified to incorporate cell-specific targeting mechanisms. Combined, these features form a multifunctional technological platform potentially capable of targeted local delivery, controlled release patterns, and enhanced oral bioavailability.