Smart Interface for Reliable Intradermal Injection and Infusion of High and Low Viscosity Solutions

• Published in: Pharmaceutical research Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 647 - 661
• Main Authors: Vosseler, Michael, Jugl, Michael, Zengerle, Roland
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Boston : Springer US 01.03.2011; Springer US; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems - instrumentation; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; General pharmacology; infusion; Infusion Pumps; injection; Injections; Injections, Intradermal; intradermal; Medical Law; Medical sciences; microneedle; Pharmaceutical sciences; Pharmaceutical Solutions - administration & dosage; Pharmaceutical Solutions - pharmacokinetics; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Reproducibility of Results; Research Paper; Skin Absorption - drug effects; Skin Absorption - physiology; Swine; Transdermal medication; Viscosity; microneedle; drug delivery; infusion; injection; intradermal; Delivery system; Viscosity; Pharmaceutical technology; Perfusion; Drug carrier; Microneedle; Solution
• ISSN: 0724-8741; 1573-904X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11095-010-0319-z

Purpose We present a smart intradermal interface suitable for skin-attached drug delivery devices. Our solution enables injections or infusions that are less invasive compared to subcutaneous injections and are leakage-free at the location of penetration. Methods The intradermal interface is based on a 31-gauge cannula embedded in a slider, movable relative to a carrier plate that can easily be fixed onto the skin. By simply pushing the slider, the cannula is inserted into the dermis. Results We performed injections and infusions with stained water and polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution in ex vivo pig skin. The sizes of coloured spots in the skin range from 3.5 mm² to 15.4 mm² for stained water depending on the infused volume. Infusing stained PEG solution resulted in stained tissue areas about one order of magnitude larger. One of three investigated leakage modes is unacceptable but can be reliably avoided by proper site selection. At low flow rates and at the beginning of an infusion an initial back pressure overshoot was identified. This effect was identified as the limiting parameter for the design of small programmable or intelligent devices based on micro actuators. Conclusions With the proposed easy-to-use interface, intradermal injections and infusions can be performed reliably. Therefore, it is supposed to be an ideal and clinically relevant solution for self-administration of parenteral drugs in home care applications.