MEMS Drug Delivery with Nanostructured Surface Tension Gradients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery systems are inadequate in achieving precise, controlled, and safe administration of pharmaceutical drugs due to limitations in mixing and heating capabilities, size constraints, and reliance on external power sources, leading to inefficiencies and increased side effects.

Innovation Solution

A Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) with a base featuring nanostructures and micro pin fins that promotes passive mixing and fluid flow through a surface tension gradient, enabling self-pumping and independent operation without external power, while ensuring precise drug delivery and heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional drug delivery systems are used, then automated procedures can be initiated, but the systems are large in size and require external power sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated drug deliveryVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pumping systems with passive mixing mechanisms using microstructures and surface tension gradients. The micro pin fins and nanostructures create capillary forces that drive fluid flow and mixing without external power sources, enabling automated drug delivery in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-powered mixing and fluid transport through passive mechanisms. The micro pin fins and surface tension gradients automatically drive reagent flow and mixing without requiring external pumps or power sources, making the system self-sufficient and compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If reagents are mixed and heated to generate desired composition, then precise drug delivery is achieved, but partial degradation occurs and side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug composition precisionVSAvoiddrug degradation and side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mixing mechanism from active mechanical stirring to passive mixing using micro pin fins and surface tension gradients. This allows precise control of mixing parameters (flow rate, contact time, mixing intensity) to achieve desired drug composition while minimizing degradation through optimized passive flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different surface properties (nanostructures) to different regions of the mixing chamber to create localized surface tension gradients. This enables precise control of fluid flow patterns and mixing zones, ensuring uniform drug composition while minimizing areas where degradation could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If mixing rate of reagents is increased to improve drug efficiency, then homogenous mixing is achieved, but system complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing rateVSAvoidmixing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces active mechanical mixing systems with passive mixing using micro pin fins and surface tension gradients. This achieves high mixing rates through capillary-driven flow patterns and chaotic advection without requiring motors, actuators, or external power sources, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces vertical micro pin fins into the mixing chamber to create three-dimensional flow patterns. This vertical dimension generates chaotic advection and enhanced mixing efficiency without requiring complex mechanical mixers, achieving high productivity with simple passive structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The MEMS system achieves homogenous mixing and controlled drug delivery with reduced side effects by utilizing a surface tension gradient and micro pin fins for enhanced fluid flow and heat transfer, providing a compact, autonomous, and cost-effective solution for precise drug administration.

Implementation Method 1

a surface tension gradient is established among regions R1 to RN for promoting fluid flow towards the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension gradient: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

micro pin fins with heights in the range of 10 to 100 μm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer enhancement through micro structures: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10166330B2Pharmaceutical drug delivery system

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 SABANCI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A pharmaceutical drug delivery system having a base (1) comprising at least two inlets (2), an outlet (20) and a passive mixing chamber (7) having micro pin fins (8) with heights in the range of 10 to 100μιτι characterized in that the base (1) is selectively coated with nanostructures which are made of a material different than the material of said base, such that the base (1) comprises a plurality of regions R1 to RN each having a different nanostructure coating intensity, and such that a surface tension gradient is established among regions R1 to RN for promoting fluid flow towards the outlet (20). The present invention further proposes a method for obtaining a pharmaceutical drug delivery system.