Flexible Organic Electronic Ion Pump Fabricated Using Inkjet Printing and Microfabrication for Precision In Vitro Delivery of Bupivacaine

Abstract

The organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) is an on‐demand electrophoretic drug delivery device, that via electronic to ionic signal conversion enables drug delivery without additional pressure or volume changes. The fundamental component of OEIPs is their polyelectrolyte membranes which are shaped into ionic channels that conduct and deliver ionic drugs, with high spatiotemporal resolution. The patterning of these membranes is essential in OEIP devices and is typically achieved using laborious microprocessing techniques. Here, the development of an inkjet printable formulation of polyelectrolyte is reported, based on a custom anionically functionalized hyperbranched polyglycerol (i‐AHPG). This polyelectrolyte ink greatly simplifies the fabrication process and is used in the production of free‐standing OEIPs on flexible polyimide (PI) substrates. Both i‐AHPG and the OEIP devices are characterized, exhibiting favorable iontronic characteristics of charge selectivity and the ability to transport aromatic compounds. Further, the applicability of these technologies is demonstrated by the transport and delivery of the pharmaceutical compound bupivacaine to dorsal root ganglion cells with high spatial precision and effective nerve blocking, highlighting the applicability of these technologies for biomedical scenarios.

Spiers Memorial Lecture: Challenges and prospects in organic photonics and electronics

“…However, a notable drawback in the current production of iontronic PE membranes is their dependency on cleanroom techniques. 39…”

“…6). 39 Bupivacaine is a nerve-blocking analgesic known for its reversible binding to sodium channels, preventing depolarization and subsequent nerve signalling downstream.…”

Bioelectronic Devices for Targeted Drug Delivery and Monitoring of Microbial Electrogenesis

“…This prevention of action potential firing is accompanied by a lower increase in fluorescence intensity of the neurons treated with bupivacaine when compared to the non-treated ones. In paper#3 [176], we repeated the same experimental protocol (as in paper#2) this time with a flexible OEIP device platform aimed towards translating the OEIP technology from in vitro to in vivo. So, in essence, paper#3 is a demonstration of the device fabrication technology which would be ported to the implantable devices talked about in paper#5.…”