Microdosing for drug delivery application—A review
Agnes Beate Bußmann, Lorenz Maximilian Grünerbel, Claudia Patricia Durasiewicz, Thomas Alexander Thalhofer, Axel Wille, Martin Richter
Sensors and Actuators A Physical May 11, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2021.112820 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMicrofluidic actuators, especially micropumps, could improve drug dosing by reducing size and energy consumption, yet they have not been widely adopted in industry. This work examines the limitations by analyzing safety requirements (preventing freeflow and backflow), dosing precision and stability, and system constraints like size, weight, power, and cost. It evaluates various mechanical micropumps and actuation mechanisms for drug delivery, highlights commercially available or near-market industrial microdosing systems, and summarizes technical solutions that meet fluidic performance, safety, and medical dosing requirements.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 53 |
| Key finding | The application of microdosing technology for drug delivery is limited by specific medical requirements including safety, dosing precision, and system constraints, which current micropump designs and industrial systems are beginning to address. |
Abstract
There is an increasing amount of research on microfluidic actuators with the aim to improve drug dosing applications. Micropumps are promising as they reduce the size and energy consumption of dosing concepts and enable new therapies. Even though there are evident advantages, there are only few examples of industrial microdosing units and micropump technology has not yet found widespread application. To answer the evoked question of what limits the application of microdosing technology for drug delivery, this work provides a comprehensive insight into the subject of drug dosing. We highlight and analyse specific microfluidic challenges and requirements in medical dosing: safety relevant aspects, such as prevention of freeflow and backflow; dosing-specific requirements, such as dosing precision and stability; and system-specific aspects, such as size, weight, and power restrictions or economic aspects. Based on these requirements, we evaluate the suitability of different mechanical micropumps and actuation mechanisms for drug administration. In addition to research work, we present industrial microdosing systems that are commercially available or close to market release. We then summarize outstanding technical solutions that ensure sufficient fluidic performance, guarantee a safe use, and fulfil the specific requirements of medical microdosing.