Pain-free oral delivery of biologic drugs using intestinal peristalsis–actuated microneedle robots

Pain-free oral delivery of biologic drugs using intestinal peristalsis–actuated microneedle robots

5 January 2024 | Xize Gao, Jiacong Li, Jing Li, Mingjun Zhang, Jing Xu
A microneedle robot inspired by the porcupinefish's defense mechanism is designed to deliver biologic drugs orally using intestinal peristalsis. The robot swells in intestinal fluids, injects drug-loaded microneedles into the intestinal wall, and uses peristaltic contractions to penetrate the mucosa. The barbed microneedles detach during relaxation and remain in the tissue for sustained drug release. In vivo experiments in 14 minipigs showed effective insulin delivery comparable to subcutaneous injection, with 23.6% bioavailability. The robot is encapsulated in an enteric capsule, swells to a size similar to FDA-approved PillCam, and is excreted after drug delivery. The microneedle robot uses intrinsic peristaltic forces, avoiding external energy input, and is biocompatible and biodegradable. It can deliver 1.0 mg of insulin and is scalable for human use. The design ensures safe tissue penetration, minimal inflammation, and efficient drug release. The robot's performance was validated through in vivo trials, demonstrating its potential as a non-invasive alternative to injection for biologic drug delivery. The study highlights the feasibility of using intestinal peristalsis for microneedle actuation, offering a promising platform for oral administration of biologic drugs.A microneedle robot inspired by the porcupinefish's defense mechanism is designed to deliver biologic drugs orally using intestinal peristalsis. The robot swells in intestinal fluids, injects drug-loaded microneedles into the intestinal wall, and uses peristaltic contractions to penetrate the mucosa. The barbed microneedles detach during relaxation and remain in the tissue for sustained drug release. In vivo experiments in 14 minipigs showed effective insulin delivery comparable to subcutaneous injection, with 23.6% bioavailability. The robot is encapsulated in an enteric capsule, swells to a size similar to FDA-approved PillCam, and is excreted after drug delivery. The microneedle robot uses intrinsic peristaltic forces, avoiding external energy input, and is biocompatible and biodegradable. It can deliver 1.0 mg of insulin and is scalable for human use. The design ensures safe tissue penetration, minimal inflammation, and efficient drug release. The robot's performance was validated through in vivo trials, demonstrating its potential as a non-invasive alternative to injection for biologic drug delivery. The study highlights the feasibility of using intestinal peristalsis for microneedle actuation, offering a promising platform for oral administration of biologic drugs.
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