Development of a microfluidics-based intracochlear drug delivery device

BACKGROUND

Direct delivery of drugs and other agents into the inner ear will be important for many emerging therapies, including the treatment of degenerative disorders and guiding regeneration.

METHODS

We have taken a microfluidics/MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) technology approach to develop a fully implantable reciprocating inner-ear drug-delivery system capable of timed and sequenced delivery of agents directly into perilymph of the cochlea. Iterations of the device were tested in guinea pigs to determine the flow characteristics required for safe and effective delivery. For these tests, we used the glutamate receptor blocker DNQX, which alters auditory nerve responses but not cochlear distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

RESULTS

We have demonstrated safe and effective delivery of agents into the scala tympani. Equilibration of the drug in the basal turn occurs rapidly (within tens of minutes) and is dependent on reciprocating flow parameters.

CONCLUSION

We have described a prototype system for the direct delivery of drugs to the inner ear that has the potential to be a fully implantable means for safe and effective treatment of hearing loss and other diseases.

Proteomics analysis of perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid in mouse

OBJECTIVES

Proteins in perilymph may alter the delivery profile of implantable intracochlear drug delivery systems through biofouling. Knowledge of protein composition will help anticipate interactions with delivered agents.

STUDY DESIGN

Analysis of mouse perilymph.

METHODS

Protein composition of perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analyzed using a capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based iTRAQ quantitative proteomics approach. We searched against a mouse subset of the Uniprot FASTA protein database. We sampled perilymph from the apex of the mouse cochlea to minimize CSF contamination.

RESULTS

More than 50 explicit protein isoforms were identified with very high confidence. iTRAQ reporter ions allowed determination of relative molar amounts of proteins between perilymph and CSF. Protein in perilymph was almost three times more concentrated than in CSF. More than one-third of the proteins in perilymph comprised protease inhibitors, with serpins being the predominant group. Apolipoproteins constituted 16%. Fifteen percent of the proteins were enzymes. Albumin was the most abundant single protein (14%). Proteins with relatively high perilymph/CSF ratios included broad-spectrum protease inhibitors and apolipoproteins.

DISCUSSION

Some proteins found in perilymph, such as albumin and HMW kininogen, have been implicated in biofouling through adsorption to device materials. The relatively large quantities of apolipoprotein and albumin may serve as a reservoir for acidic and lipophilic drugs. Alpha-2-glycoprotein can bind basic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Perilymph is similar in protein composition to CSF, though amounts are 2.8 times higher. Protease inhibitors comprise the largest category of proteins.

Fabrication Methods and Performance of Low-Permeability Microfluidic Components for a Miniaturized Wearable Drug Delivery System

In this paper, we describe low-permeability components of a microfluidic drug delivery system fabricated with versatile micromilling and lamination techniques. The fabrication process uses laminate sheets which are machined using XY milling tables commonly used in the printed-circuit industry. This adaptable platform for polymer microfluidics readily accommodates integration with silicon-based sensors, printed-circuit, and surface-mount technologies. We have used these methods to build components used in a wearable liquid-drug delivery system for in vivo studies. The design, fabrication, and performance of membrane-based fluidic capacitors and manual screw valves provide detailed examples of the capability and limitations of the fabrication method. We demonstrate fluidic capacitances ranging from 0.015 to 0.15 μL/kPa, screw valves with on/off flow ratios greater than 38 000, and a 45× reduction in the aqueous fluid loss rate to the ambient due to permeation through a silicone diaphragm layer.

Mastoid cavity dimensions and shape: method of measurement and virtual fitting of implantable devices

Temporal bone implants can be used to electrically stimulate the auditory nerve, to amplify sound, to deliver drugs to the inner ear and potentially for other future applications. The implants require storage space and access to the middle or inner ears. The most acceptable space is the cavity created by a canal wall up mastoidectomy. Detailed knowledge of the available space for implantation and pathways to access the middle and inner ears is necessary for the design of implants and successful implantation. Based on temporal bone CT scans a method for three-dimensional reconstruction of a virtual canal wall up mastoidectomy space is described. Using Amira software the area to be removed during such surgery is marked on axial CT slices, and a three-dimensional model of that space is created. The average volume of 31 reconstructed models is 12.6 cm(3) with standard deviation of 3.69 cm(3), ranging from 7.97 to 23.25 cm(3). Critical distances were measured directly from the model and their averages were calculated: height 3.69 cm, depth 2.43 cm, length above the external auditory canal (EAC) 4.45 cm and length posterior to EAC 3.16 cm. These linear measurements did not correlate well with volume measurements. The shape of the models was variable to a significant extent making the prediction of successful implantation for a given design based on linear and volumetric measurement unreliable. Hence, to assure successful implantation, preoperative assessment should include a virtual fitting of an implant into the intended storage space. The above-mentioned three-dimensional models were exported from Amira to a Solidworks application where virtual fitting was performed. Our results are compared to other temporal bone implant virtual fitting studies. Virtual fitting has been suggested for other human applications.

Inner ear drug delivery for auditory applications

Many inner ear disorders cannot be adequately treated by systemic drug delivery. A blood-cochlear barrier exists, similar physiologically to the blood-brain barrier, which limits the concentration and size of molecules able to leave the circulation and gain access to the cells of the inner ear. However, research in novel therapeutics and delivery systems has led to significant progress in the development of local methods of drug delivery to the inner ear. Intratympanic approaches, which deliver therapeutics to the middle ear, rely on permeation through tissue for access to the structures of the inner ear, whereas intracochlear methods are able to directly insert drugs into the inner ear. Innovative drug delivery systems to treat various inner ear ailments such as ototoxicity, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, autoimmune inner ear disease, and for preserving neurons and regenerating sensory cells are being explored.

Inner ear drug delivery via a reciprocating perfusion system in the guinea pig

Rapid progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with cochlear and auditory nerve degenerative processes offers hope for the development of gene-transfer and molecular approaches to treat these diseases in patients. For therapies based on these discoveries to become clinically useful, it will be necessary to develop safe and reliable mechanisms for the delivery of drugs into the inner ear, bypassing the blood-labyrinthine barrier. Toward the goal of developing an inner ear perfusion device for human use, a reciprocating microfluidic system that allows perfusion of drugs into the cochlear perilymph through a single inlet hole in scala tympani of the basal turn was developed. The performance of a prototype, extracorporeal reciprocating perfusion system in guinea pigs is described. Analysis of the cochlear distribution of compounds after perfusion took advantage of the place-dependent generation of responses to tones along the length of the cochlea. Perfusion with a control artificial perilymph solution had no effect. Two drugs with well-characterized effects on cochlear physiology, salicylate (5 mM) and DNQX (6,7-Dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; 100 and 300 microM), reversibly altered responses. The magnitude of drug effect decreased with distance from the perfusion pipette for up to 10 mm, and increased with dose and length of application.

Modeling of RGDC film parameters using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Immobilization of peptides on surfaces is a common method to investigate biological response to biomaterials for the development of improved tissue engineering constructs. Peptide immobilization can be achieved by either physical adsorption or covalent attachment on the surface. In this work, the RGDC peptide was covalently immobilized to alumina substrate for investigation of bone cell response. An understanding of RGDC film formation is necessary for further biological characterization. Thus, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to chemically characterize these films. These data were further utilized to calculate RGDC film thickness, density, and coverage, which are essential for understanding bone cell interactions with the underlying films and substrate.

Influence of nanoporous alumina membranes on long-term osteoblast response

A major goal of bone tissue engineering is to design better scaffold configuration and materials to better control osteoblast behavior. Nanoporous architecture has been shown to significantly affect cellular response. In this work, nanoporous alumina membranes were fabricated by a two-step anodization method to investigate bone cell response. Osteoblasts were seeded on nanoporous alumina membranes to investigate both short-term adhesion and proliferation and long-term functionality and matrix production. Cell adhesion and proliferation were characterized using a standard MTT assay and cell counting. The total protein content was measured after cell lysis using the BCA assay. Matrix production was characterized in terms of surface concentrations of calcium and phosphorous, components of bone matrix, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results from nanoporous alumina membranes were compared with those of amorphous alumina, aluminum, commercially available ANOPORE and glass. Results indicate improved osteoblast adhesion and proliferation and increased matrix production after 4 weeks of study.

Peptide-immobilized nanoporous alumina membranes for enhanced osteoblast adhesion

Bone tissue engineering requires the ability to regulate cell behavior through precise control over substrate topography and surface chemistry. Understanding of the cellular response to micro-environment is essential for biomaterials and tissue engineering research. This research employed alumina with porous features on the nanoscale. These nanoporous alumina surfaces were modified by physically adsorbing vitronectin and covalently immobilizing RGDC peptide to enhance adhesion of osteoblasts, bone-forming cells. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the modified nanoporous alumina surface. Survey and high-resolution C1s scans suggested the presence of RGDC and vitronectin on the surface and SEM images confirmed the pores were not clogged after modification. Cell adhesion on both unmodified and modified nanoporous alumina was compared using fluorescence microscopy and SEM. RGDC was found to enhance osteoblast adhesion after 1 day of culture and matrix production was visible after 2 days. Cell secreted matrix was absent on unmodified membranes for the same duration. Vitronectin-adsorbed surfaces did not show significant improvement in adhesion over unmodified membranes.

Fabrication and evaluation of nanoporous alumina membranes for osteoblast culture

An understanding of osteoblast response to surface topography is essential for successful bone tissue engineering applications. Alumina has been extensively used as a substrate for bone tissue constructs. However, current techniques do not allow precise surface topography and orientation of the material. In this research, a two-step anodization process was optimized for the fabrication of nanoporous alumina membranes with uniform pore dimension and distribution. The anodization voltage can be varied to create nanoporous alumina membranes with pore sizes ranging from 30 to 80 nm in diameter. The impact of the nanoscale pores on osteoblast response was studied by evaluating cell adhesion, morphology, and matrix production. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the nanoporous alumina membranes. Osteoblast adhesion and morphology were investigated using scanning electron microscopy images and matrix production was characterized using energy dispersive spectroscopy. This research combined the advantages of using alumina, a material with proven biocompatibility and current orthopedic clinical applications, and incorporated porous features on the nanoscale which have been reported to improve osteoblast response.