Overcoming transport limitations in miniaturized electrophoretic delivery devices

Abstract

Combining experimental and theoretical approach, we demonstrate practical solutions to limiting currents in capillary-based electrophoretic delivery devices.

Modulating Inflammation in Monocytes Using Capillary Fiber Organic Electronic Ion Pumps

“…Although the source electrolyte was loaded with ASA, the ELISA quantification indicated that the delivered molecule was SA (Figure C). With capillary OEIPs, irregularities in substance delivery have been observed due to concentration polarization, which in turn causes electric field enhanced water dissociation at the ion channel inlet (in the source electrolyte) . This phenomenon is particularly intense at low concentrations of drugs and for relatively larger (low diffusion constant) molecules.…”

“…After the polymerization, the capillary was cut into 20 desired device lengths (15 mm) by a fiber cleaver, and these were assembled directly onto heat shrink tubes/reservoirs. The capillary OEIP devices were immersed and stored in 1 × 10 −3 m KCl (aq) electrolyte before use to hydrate the polycatanion membrane …”

“…OEIP devices based on glass capillary fibers offer several design advantages for use in freestanding or implantable geometries. OEIPs fiber capillaries, in contrast to planar OEIPs devices, provide less water uptake inside the channel providing a large ion‐transport cross‐section with high ionic conductivity, which allows transport of relatively large ions such as drugs and neurotransmitters . These devices can furthermore be more easily implanted or located in proximity to targeted cells, tissues, or organs.…”

“…The permselectivity, according to Donnan exclusion, holds if the ionic concentrations in the adjacent electrolytes are considerably lower than the fixed charge concentration of the AEM . The potential gradient, and associated current through the OEIPs fiber capillaries, is established by applying a potential difference between electrodes (Ag/AgCl) applied in the source and target solutions . The polarizable electrodes in this study comprise a thin film of the conducting polymer blend poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate with additional Ag/AgCl to promote good contact.…”

Overcoming Limitations of Iontronic Delivery Devices

“…Despite a variety of alternative technologies, organic bioelectronics offer unique methods for the delivery of therapeutic substances and an ideal foundation for the treatment of various disorders, bridging the signalling gap between biology and technology. 19,20,36,37 State of the art bioelectronic technologies allow in vivo and in vitro recording of neural activity, monitoring and manipulating of neural pathways, use of chemicals naturally occurring in the non-disease state, immediate treatment by self-regulation, precise control of substance delivery, and minimization of adverse effects arising from disturbance of the biological microenvironment by diffusive delivery. 22,38 State of the art bioelectronic devices have been developed providing a fundamental understanding of communication between cells and with their environment.…”