Microtechnologies for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Microfabrication techniques, originally developed in the microelectronics industry, can be engineered for in vivo drug delivery. Microfabrication uses a variety of techniques including photolithography and micromachining to create devices with features ranging from 0.1 to hundreds of microns with high aspect ratios and precise features. Microfabrication offers a device feature scale that is relevant to the tissues and cells to which they are applied, as well as offering ease of en masse fabrication, small device size, and facile incorporation of integrated circuit technology. Utilizing these methods, drug delivery applications have been developed for in vivo use through many delivery routes including intravenous, oral, and transdermal. Overall, microfabricated devices have had an impact over a broad range of therapies and tissues. This review addresses many of these devices and highlights their fabrication as well as discusses materials relevant to microfabrication techniques.