Prospects and Opportunities for Microsystems and Microfluidic Devices in the Field of Otorhinolaryngology

Abstract

Microfluidic systems can be used to control picoliter to microliter volumes in ways not possible with other methods of fluid handling. In recent years, the field of microfluidics has grown rapidly, with microfluidic devices offering possibilities to impact biology and medicine. Microfluidic devices populated with human cells have the potential to mimic the physiological functions of tissues and organs in a three-dimensional microenvironment and enable the study of mechanisms of human diseases, drug discovery and the practice of personalized medicine. In the field of otorhinolaryngology, various types of microfluidic systems have already been introduced to study organ physiology, diagnose diseases, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, microfluidic technologies can be implemented at all levels of otorhinolaryngology. This review is intended to promote understanding of microfluidic properties and introduce the recent literature on application of microfluidic-related devices in the field of otorhinolaryngology.

The Protective Effects of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss of Rats

“…However, the transplantation efficacy was not sufficient to restore cochlear function and was applied to clinical trials. To enhance the transplantation efficacy of injected stem cells, many studies physically localized the injection sites of stem cells via the round window, posterior semicircular canal and cochlear lateral wall [ 14 , 15 ]. Although local administration of stem cells to the perilymphatic–endolymphatic space of cochleae can reduce the physical distance from the target cell area, the cochlear perilymph or endolymph is a harsh environment for transplanting injected stem cells.…”