Abstract
Implantable microfluidic devices are milestones in developing devices that can measure parameters
like ocular pressure and blood glucose level or deliver various components for therapeutic needs or behavioral
modification. Researchers are currently focusing on the miniaturization of almost all its tools for a better healthcare
platform. Implantable microfluidic devices are a combination of various systems including, but not limited
to, microfluidic platforms, reservoirs, sensors, and actuators, implanted inside the body of a living entity (in
vivo) with the purpose of directly or indirectly helping the entity. It is a multidisciplinary approach with immense
potential in the area of the biomedical field. Significant resources are utilized for the research and development
of these devices for various applications. The induction of an implantable microfluidic device into an
animal would enable us to measure the responses without any repeated invasive procedures. Such data would
help in the development of a better drug delivery profile. Implantable microfluidic devices with reservoirs deliver
specific chemical or biological products to treat situations like cancers and diabetes. They can also deliver
fluorophores for specific imaging inside the body. Implantable microfluidic devices help provide a microenvironment
for various cell differentiation procedures. These devices know no boundaries, and this article reviews
these devices based on their design and applications.
Keywords:
Implantable microfluidic devices, microfluidic platform, reservoir, actuators, sensors, imaging, cell differentiation, drug delivery.
[13]
Martinez-Duarte R, Madou M. SU-8 photolithography and its impact on microfluidics. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Handbook 2006; 2011: 231-68.
[34]
Wnek GE, Bowlin GL. Encyclopedia of biomaterials and biomedical engineering. 1st ed. CRC Press 2004; pp. 28-May-2008.
[40]
Ala-Vannesluoma P. Moisture absorptivity of the poly (lactide- co-glycolide), and comparison of dehumidifying gases [Master of science thesis] 2016.
[43]
Valle Jd, Oliva Ndl, Müller M, Stieglitz T, Navarro X, Eds. Biocompatibility evaluation of parylene C and polyimide as substrates for peripheral nerve interfaces. 2015 7th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER). 22-4.
[45]
Surace R, Trotta G, Fassi I, Bellantone V. The micro injection moulding process for polymeric components manufacturing New Technologies - Trends, Innovations and Research. INTECH Open Access Publisher 2012; pp. 65-89.
[47]
Cheremisinoff NP. Condensed encyclopedia of polymer engineering terms. Butterworth-Heinemann 2001.
[52]
Flora XH, Ulaganathan M, Rajendran S. Influence of lithium salt concentration on PAN-PMMA blend polymer electrolytes. Int J Electrochem Sci 2012; 7(8): 7451-62.
[60]
Worgull M. Hot embossing: theory and technology of microreplication. In: William Andrew. 2009; p. 368.
[61]
Dublin WL Jr, Dublin LG, Nieman RE, Nieman RE. Apparatus and method for monitoring intraocular and blood pressure by non- contact contour measurement. Google Patents 2000.
[69]
Clark LC Jr. Implantable gas-containing biosensor and method for measuring an analyte such as glucose. Google Patents 1988.
[71]
Darrow CB, Satcher JH Jr, Lane SM, Lee AP, Wang AW. Chemical sensor system. Google Patents 2002.
[79]
Aceves-Serrano LG, Ordaz-Martinez KA, Vazquez-Piñon M, Hwang H. Microfluidics for drug delivery systems Nanoarchitectonics in Biomedicine. Elsevier 2019; pp. 55-83.
[85]
Hamie A, Ghafar-Zadeh E, Sawan M, Eds. An implantable micropump prototype for focal drug delivery. 2013 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA). 2013 4-5 May; 2013.
[96]
Maillefer D, Lintel Hv, Rey-Mermet G, Hirschi R. A high-performance silicon micropump for an implantable drug delivery system. Technical Digest IEEE International MEMS 99 Conference Twelfth IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (Cat No99CH36291). 1999 21-21 Jan; 1999.
[115]
Hirotaka S, Berry CW, Casey BE, Lavella G, Ying Y, VandenBrooks JM, Eds. A cyborg beetle: Insect flight control through an implantable, tetherless microsystem. 2008 IEEE 21st International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems. 2008 13-17 Jan; 2008.