An electrochemical intraocular drug delivery device

Abstract

This paper presents the first implantable intraocular MEMS drug delivery device capable of being refilled. To avoid repetitive surgeries, a refillable reservoir constructed of silicone rubber is implanted and capable of withstanding multiple needle punctures necessary for drug refill. The device uses electrolysis-actuated pumping to provide long-term drug treatment at therapeutic levels, and a flexible parylene transscleral cannula for precise targeting of difficult-to-reach areas in the eye. This electrochemically driven micropump provides flow rates suitable for ocular drug delivery (pL/min to μL/min). An encapsulation packaging technique was developed for demonstrating device operation in acute surgical studies. Preliminary surgical results in ex vivo porcine eyes are presented.