Medical Cyber Physical System Architecture for Smart Medical Pumps

The transformations through technological innovations have influenced the medical field. There are significant developments in medical devices in their usage. The utilization of the devices is automated in a local, remote environment. The medical devices used in the remote cyber environment uses different network protocols. These devices comprise micro, nanofabricated sensors and actuators which have the facility to communicate using network protocols. The devices that have network capability to integrate into cyberspace through physical methods are typical medical cyber physical systems (MCPS). In MCPS, medical device modelling is an important aspect. Several medical devices are available, and here in the current research, emphasis is focused on smart medical pumps in the MCPS environment. This chapter highlights the essential concepts of the smart medical drug delivery device, its architecture, control, actuation, communication, and analysis in the cyber environment.

Advances of Microneedles in Biomedical Applications

A microneedle (MN) is a painless and minimally invasive drug delivery device initially developed in 1976. As microneedle technology evolves, microneedles with different shapes (cone and pyramid) and forms (solid, drug-coated, hollow, dissolvable and hydrogel-based microneedles) have been developed. The main objective of this review is the applications of microneedles in biomedical areas. Firstly, the classifications and manufacturing of microneedle are briefly introduced so that we can learn the advantages and fabrications of different MNs. Secondly, research of microneedles in biomedical therapy such as drug delivery systems, diagnoses of disease, as well as wound repair and cancer therapy are overviewed. Finally, the safety and the vision of the future of MNs are discussed.

Directing an mRNA-LNP vaccine toward lymph nodes improves humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2

The exploration and identification of safe and effective vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has captured the world’s attention and remains an ongoing issue in order to protect against emerging variants of concern (VoCs) while generating long lasting immunity. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the spike protein in a lipid nanoparticle formulation (LNP) (STI-7264) that generates robust humoral and cellular immunity following immunization of C57Bl6 mice. In efforts to continually improve immunity, a lymphatic drug delivery device (MuVaxx) was engineered and tested to modulate immune cells at the injection site (epidermis and dermis) and draining lymph node (LN) to elicit adaptive immunity. Using MuVaxx, immune responses were elicited and maintained at a 10-fold dose reduction compared to traditional intramuscular (IM) administration as measured by anti-spike antibodies, cytokine producing CD8 T cells, and neutralizing antibodies against the Washington (Wild Type, WT) and South African (beta) variants. Remarkably, a 4-fold elevated T cell response was observed in MuVaxx administered vaccination as compared to that of IM administered vaccination. Thus, these data support further investigation into STI-7264 and lymphatic mediated delivery using MuVaxx for SARS-CoV-2 and VoCs vaccines.

Complications associated with intrathecal drug delivery in a paediatric patient with Niemann-Pick type C

We report on a male subject with a diagnosis of Niemann-Pick type C (NPC). He received an experimental medicinal product intrathecally initially via lumbar puncture (LP) and eventually via intrathecal drug delivery device. Shortly after implantation, the device catheter migrated outside of the intrathecal space and coiled subcutaneously. The treatment continued via LP after removal of the device. A subdural haematoma developed after repeated LPs. It was surgically evacuated and the patient recovered with sequelae. Surgically implanted drug delivery devices are designed to bypass the blood–brain barrier and deliver a medicinal product directly into the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Their use has extended into the field of neurodegenerative disorders. Significant adverse events can occur at any given time after implantation including neurological injury, dislodgement or displacement of any of its components, infection and drug-related complications; all can significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Repeated LPs also carry significant risk.

A MEMS Based Drug Delivery Device with Integrated Micro-Needle Array - Design and Simulation

One of the most effective treatments for type 1 and 2 diabetes is the administration of Insulin. Single needle mechanical insulin pumps are heavy and painful. Micro-needle based MEMS drug delivery devices can be an excellent solution for insulin dosing. The use of Micro-Needle Array provides a safe, painless and robust injection application. A stackable structure results in minimum dimensions and the final product can be in the form of a patch that can be applied to any flat area of human skin. The design of positive volumetric insulin pump is a multi-physics problem where the volumetric changes of the main pump chamber and the pumped fluid are directly coupled. We used a multiphysics simulation platform to investigate the performance of a MEMS based Insulin Micro-Pump driven by a piezoelectric actuator which acts on a diaphragm. The positive and negative movement of the diaphragm results in generation of a discharge pressure at the microneedle array. The pressure and flow rate is controlled by varying the excitation voltage and frequency applied to the actuator. The model was used to evaluate the performance of the Micro-Pump. It was found to be capable of generating the required interfacial pressures at the human skin to deliver the target dosage by matching the minimum and maximum range of diabetic patients' operating parameters.

Bioactive potential of natural biomaterials: identification, retention and assessment of biological properties

Biomaterials have had an increasingly important role in recent decades, in biomedical device design and the development of tissue engineering solutions for cell delivery, drug delivery, device integration, tissue replacement, and more. There is an increasing trend in tissue engineering to use natural substrates, such as macromolecules native to plants and animals to improve the biocompatibility and biodegradability of delivered materials. At the same time, these materials have favourable mechanical properties and often considered to be biologically inert. More importantly, these macromolecules possess innate functions and properties due to their unique chemical composition and structure, which increase their bioactivity and therapeutic potential in a wide range of applications. While much focus has been on integrating these materials into these devices via a spectrum of cross-linking mechanisms, little attention is drawn to residual bioactivity that is often hampered during isolation, purification, and production processes. Herein, we discuss methods of initial material characterisation to determine innate bioactivity, means of material processing including cross-linking, decellularisation, and purification techniques and finally, a biological assessment of retained bioactivity of a final product. This review aims to address considerations for biomaterials design from natural polymers, through the optimisation and preservation of bioactive components that maximise the inherent bioactive potency of the substrate to promote tissue regeneration.