Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Based Microfluidic Devices for Biomedical Applications

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2011 Jul 13

PMID 21747700

Citations 39

Authors

Muhammad Waseem Ashraf

Shahzadi Tayyaba

Nitin Afzulpurkar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) based microfluidic devices have gained popularity in biomedicine field over the last few years. In this paper, a comprehensive overview of microfluidic devices such as micropumps and microneedles has been presented for biomedical applications. The aim of this paper is to present the major features and issues related to micropumps and microneedles, e.g., working principles, actuation methods, fabrication techniques, construction, performance parameters, failure analysis, testing, safety issues, applications, commercialization issues and future prospects. Based on the actuation mechanisms, the micropumps are classified into two main types, i.e., mechanical and non-mechanical micropumps. Microneedles can be categorized according to their structure, fabrication process, material, overall shape, tip shape, size, array density and application. The presented literature review on micropumps and microneedles will provide comprehensive information for researchers working on design and development of microfluidic devices for biomedical applications.

Citing Articles

Organic photovoltaic mini-module providing more than 5000 V for energy autonomy of dielectric elastomer actuators.

Jiang E, Jamali A, List M, Mishra D, Sheikholeslami S, Goldschmidtboeing F Nat Commun. 2025; 16(1):2048.

PMID: 40021621 PMC: 11871061. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57226-6.

Microfluidic platforms for monitoring cardiomyocyte electromechanical activity.

Wang W, Su W, Han J, Song W, Li X, Xu C Microsyst Nanoeng. 2025; 11(1):4.

PMID: 39788940 PMC: 11718118. DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00751-z.

Engineering Heterogeneous Tumor Models for Biomedical Applications.

Wu Z, Huang D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Sun W, Shen X Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023; 11(1):e2304160.

PMID: 37946674 PMC: 10767453. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304160.

Microfluidic Device-Based Virus Detection and Quantification in Future Diagnostic Research: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Escobar A, Diab-Liu A, Bosland K, Xu C Biosensors (Basel). 2023; 13(10).

PMID: 37887128 PMC: 10605122. DOI: 10.3390/bios13100935.

Recent advances in transmission electron microscopy techniques for heterogeneous catalysis.

Qu J, Sui M, Li R iScience. 2023; 26(7):107072.

PMID: 37534164 PMC: 10391733. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107072.

References

Donnelly R, Garland M, Morrow D, Migalska K, Raghu Raj Singh T, Majithiya R . Optical coherence tomography is a valuable tool in the study of the effects of microneedle geometry on skin penetration characteristics and in-skin dissolution. J Control Release. 2010; 147(3):333-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2010.08.008. View

Bal S, Kruithof A, Zwier R, Dietz E, Bouwstra J, Lademann J . Influence of microneedle shape on the transport of a fluorescent dye into human skin in vivo. J Control Release. 2010; 147(2):218-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2010.07.104. View

Khanna P, Strom J, Malone J, Bhansali S . Microneedle-based automated therapy for diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2009; 2(6):1122-9. PMC: 2769816. DOI: 10.1177/193229680800200621. View

Sachdeva V, Banga A . Microneedles and their applications. Recent Pat Drug Deliv Formul. 2011; 5(2):95-132. DOI: 10.2174/187221111795471445. View

Lee J, Park J, Prausnitz M . Dissolving microneedles for transdermal drug delivery. Biomaterials. 2008; 29(13):2113-24. PMC: 2293299. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2007.12.048. View

Song J, Kim Y, Barlow P, Hossain M, Park K, Donis R . Improved protection against avian influenza H5N1 virus by a single vaccination with virus-like particles in skin using microneedles. Antiviral Res. 2010; 88(2):244-7. PMC: 2980851. DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2010.09.001. View

Staples M, Daniel K, Cima M, Langer R . Application of micro- and nano-electromechanical devices to drug delivery. Pharm Res. 2006; 23(5):847-63. DOI: 10.1007/s11095-006-9906-4. View

Ding Z, Verbaan F, Bivas-Benita M, Bungener L, Huckriede A, Van Den Berg D . Microneedle arrays for the transcutaneous immunization of diphtheria and influenza in BALB/c mice. J Control Release. 2009; 136(1):71-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2009.01.025. View

Wu Y, Qiu Y, Zhang S, Qin G, Gao Y . Microneedle-based drug delivery: studies on delivery parameters and biocompatibility. Biomed Microdevices. 2008; 10(5):601-10. DOI: 10.1007/s10544-008-9171-x. View

10.

Pearton M, Kang S, Song J, Kim Y, Quan F, Anstey A . Influenza virus-like particles coated onto microneedles can elicit stimulatory effects on Langerhans cells in human skin. Vaccine. 2010; 28(37):6104-13. PMC: 3371415. DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.05.055. View

11.

Ryu W, Huang Z, Prinz F, Goodman S, Fasching R . Biodegradable micro-osmotic pump for long-term and controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor. J Control Release. 2007; 124(1-2):98-105. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2007.08.024. View

12.

Jiang J, Moore J, Edelhauser H, Prausnitz M . Intrascleral drug delivery to the eye using hollow microneedles. Pharm Res. 2008; 26(2):395-403. PMC: 2900774. DOI: 10.1007/s11095-008-9756-3. View

13.

Bussemer T, Otto I, Bodmeier R . Pulsatile drug-delivery systems. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 2002; 18(5):433-58. View

14.

Prausnitz M, Langer R . Transdermal drug delivery. Nat Biotechnol. 2008; 26(11):1261-8. PMC: 2700785. DOI: 10.1038/nbt.1504. View

15.

Wang X, Wang S, Gendhar B, Cheng C, Byun C, Li G . Electroosmotic pumps for microflow analysis. Trends Analyt Chem. 2010; 28(1):64-74. PMC: 2680506. DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2008.09.014. View

16.

Guan Y, Xu Z, Dai J, Fang Z . The use of a micropump based on capillary and evaporation effects in a microfluidic flow injection chemiluminescence system. Talanta. 2008; 68(4):1384-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2005.08.021. View

17.

Li W, Huo M, Zhou J, Zhou Y, Hao B, Liu T . Super-short solid silicon microneedles for transdermal drug delivery applications. Int J Pharm. 2010; 389(1-2):122-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.01.024. View

18.

Kim Y, Quan F, Compans R, Kang S, Prausnitz M . Formulation and coating of microneedles with inactivated influenza virus to improve vaccine stability and immunogenicity. J Control Release. 2009; 142(2):187-95. PMC: 2823933. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2009.10.013. View

19.

Gomaa Y, Morrow D, Garland M, Donnelly R, El-Khordagui L, Meidan V . Effects of microneedle length, density, insertion time and multiple applications on human skin barrier function: assessments by transepidermal water loss. Toxicol In Vitro. 2010; 24(7):1971-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.08.012. View

20.

Campbell P, Jones K, Huber R, Horch K, Normann R . A silicon-based, three-dimensional neural interface: manufacturing processes for an intracortical electrode array. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1991; 38(8):758-68. DOI: 10.1109/10.83588. View