Lasered Graphene Microheaters Modified with Phase-Change Composites: New Approach to Smart Patch Drug Delivery

Abstract

The combination of paraffin wax and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol–block–polyethylene glycol–block–polypropylene glycol was used as a phase-change material (PCM) for the controlled delivery of curcumin. The PCM was combined with a graphene-based heater derived from the laser scribing of polyimide film. This assembly provides a new approach to a smart patch through which release can be electronically controlled, allowing repetitive dosing. Rather than relying on passive diffusion, delivery is induced and terminated through the controlled heating of the PCM with transfer only occurring when the PCM transitions from solid to liquid. The material properties of the device and release characteristics of the strategy under repetitive dosing are critically assessed. The delivery yield of curcumin was found to be 3.5 µg (4.5 µg/cm2) per 3 min thermal cycle.

Phase Change Materials for Life Science Applications

“…Instead of depending on passive diffusion, delivery is initiated and stopped by controlled heating of the PCM with transfer only happening when the PCM transitions from solid to liquid. [81] Only some inorganic salts such as Ca(NO3)2⋅4H2O (with a melting point of 47 °C), and organic compounds like Paraffin C23 (melting point of 47.5 °C) have the melting point slightly above the body temperature which can be applied for controlled release and biomedical application, but due to the biosafety concern or engineering difficulties has never been successful in in vivo and/or practical studies. Xia et al, (2020), in their review article specifically focused on fatty alcohols and FAs for developing a controlled release system based on PCMs for drug delivery and related applications.…”

“…Instead of depending on passive diffusion, delivery is initiated and stopped by controlled heating of the PCM with transfer only happening when the PCM transitions from solid to liquid. [ 81 ]…”

Research progress of biomass materials in the application of organic phase change energy storage materials

“…These novel composites are now widely used in many high-tech elds such as solar energy storage, [13][14][15][16] electronics, [17][18][19] building materials, [20][21][22] and drug delivery systems. [23][24][25] The preparation and application of composite PCMs are shown in Fig. 2.…”

Cytotoxicity of Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Fullerenes, and Dots

“…The toxicology issues are connected with drug delivery and bioimaging. The drug delivery is controlled by water solubility, biocompatibility, blood circulation time, targeting, and accumulation of therapeutics in diseased cells and tissues for carbon nanotubes [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49], graphene [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62], fullerenes [63], dots [64][65][66][67]. The diagnostic method, bioimaging, is connected with the penetration of drugs and diagnostic agents into tissues and cells and the sensitivity of detection.…”