"Precise Drug Injection into Brain Inflammation Site"...First Development of Ultra-Miniature Needle

Long-term Brain Electrode Implantation Possible... Simultaneous Electrical and Drug Treatment at Inflammation Sites

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A technology that can insert tiny needles into the human brain to inject drugs into specific areas has been developed for the first time. With the ability to deliver drugs along with electrical signals, it is evaluated that long-term brain electrode implantation has become possible, opening the way for more precise treatment of brain diseases.

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) announced on the 8th that Professor Sohee Kim's research team in the Department of Robotics has developed a flexible multifunctional brain-machine interface technology equipped with drug delivery functionality in a 3D structured microneedle array brain electrode. It is expected to be used as an electrode for brain disease treatment requiring long-term implantation in the future.

Microneedles refer to needle-shaped structures with diameters on the micrometer scale (1 micrometer is 1/1000 of a millimeter). Existing microneedle array electrodes were made based on rigid silicon and glass, lacking flexibility. Due to the material properties and the three-dimensional structural characteristics, drug delivery functionality had never been implemented together.

The research team integrated fluidic channels into a flexible polymer cable based on 3D electrode technology where multiple microneedles are supported by a flexible polymer platform. Through this, they developed multifunctional cables and connection technology capable of both electrical signal transmission and chemical drug delivery simultaneously. By combining multifunctional cables with 3D electrodes, it became possible to implement a multifunctional flexible brain interface capable of drug delivery along with brain signal measurement or electrical stimulation.

Using this, anti-inflammatory drugs can be accurately delivered to the electrode site through the drug delivery channel. This is expected to extend the lifespan of electrodes that need to be implanted in the brain for long periods, such as in brain-machine interface technology.

Previously, brain electrodes used in brain-machine interface (BMI) technology were microneedle arrays made of rigid silicon and glass, and due to their structural characteristics, implementing drug delivery functionality was difficult. This research result made it possible for the first time to integrate drug delivery functionality into 3D brain electrodes by combining flexible cables equipped with microfluidic channels with a 3D microneedle array structure based on flexible materials.

Professor Kim explained, "Through the drug delivery channel, it is possible to chemically stimulate the brain while simultaneously measuring brain signals, and drugs can be delivered directly to brain cells without passing through the blood-brain barrier. It will also be possible to verify the efficacy of drugs for brain disease treatment, which can be utilized in drug development."

This research was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Brain Science Core Technology Development Project.' Dr. Yuna Kang from the Medical Support Robot Research Center at Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials participated as the first author, Professor Kim as the corresponding author, and Professor Hankyung Choi from DGIST's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences as a co-author. It was published in the international journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering on the 18th of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.