Conducting polymer nanotube actuators for precisely controlled release of medicine and bioactive molecules

摘要

Drug delivery devices, their manufacture, and their use comprising electrocontractile nanotubes that can be used for precise controlled bioactive substance release for example, medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical compounds and growth factors. The conducting polymer nanotubes significantly decrease the impedance and increase the charge capacity of recording electrode sites on microfabricated electrode devices. Bioactive substances released from the nanotubes can be controlled in a desired fashion by controlled electrical stimulation of the nanotubes.

主权项

1. A biocompatible electrode comprising:
a first electrically conductive substrate; and a second electrically conductive substrate which comprises a plurality of electrocontractile nanotubes comprising walls of conductive polymer defining lumens or cavities therein containing at least one bioactive substance, said second electrically conductive substrate contacting at least a portion of said first conductive substrate; wherein electrical actuation of said nanotubes induces contraction of said nanotube walls causing the release of at least a portion of said bioactive substance from said lumens or cavities.