A Thermally Responsive Osmotic Pump Drug Delivery System for in-vivo Targeting for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Approximately 2.39 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Current treatment options for IBD, which are limited, include oral medications, surgery, and supportive care. These therapeutics often times are not effective and are associated with high toxicity. Thus, there is a pressing clinical need for a therapy that can be delivered both locally and precisely, while also having an improvement in efficacy and lower toxicity.

This study introduces three novel microrobot designs fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, which aims to address the challenges seen in IBD treatment. The microrobots utilize a reservoir design to encapsulate the drug for an on-demand release, allowing for improved control and precision. The SLA microrobots were evaluated for cytotoxicity as well as drug release capabilities. We were able to demonstrate a local release of a protein on-demand at a biologically relevant temperature. The integration of microrobots in IBD therapy has the capability to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life, offering a more efficient and less toxic treatment approach.