MEMS Enabled Resuable Pneumatic Actuation
MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) - A technology combines miniaturized mechanical electrical components on a single chip/substrate.
Home \ Technology \ Why MEMS
Why MEMS
Our MEMS driving system is based on an electrochemical enabled/controlled gas pressure generation working principle with features below:
-
Gentle, fast, consistent, powerful
-
Simple electrochemical principle
-
Efficient energy transfer
-
Precision/broad flowrate/dose (1nL/min – 10mL/min)
Two major actuation platforms: Linear platform (Primary Actuator®) and Non-linear platform (MedActuator®).
-
Linear: adaptable to existing AI/Pen, OBI, syringe pump
-
Non-linear: gas pump w/o plunger rod for smart pill, 50mL OBI
Our MEMS design offers flexibility and scalability, accommodating a wide range of dose volumes and concentrations. It provides accurate force and pressure output, ranging from 0 to 29,000 psi. The technology can be wirelessly controlled, allowing for connectivity and digitization capabilities. Notably, it is reusable, recyclable, and highly environmentally sustainable.
-
Small (“smart pill”) to large form factor (ambulatory pump)
-
µL to >>50mL
-
1 to >>100cP
-
Blue tooth for smart phone/A.I. era
-
Reusable + recyclable engine
Our MEMS system has an energy conversion efficiency of over 90%, making it highly suitable for portable and wearable drug delivery applications.
-
Simple, low-cost, low energy consumption
-
µW to low W
-
Easily powered by commercial coin/cylindrical batteries
Home \ Technology \ Working Principle
Working Principle
Two major design principles (linear and non-linear) were used in our MEMS actuation system. The above diagram explains the working principle for our LINEAR, REUSABLE MEMS system.
-
Linear actuation: a telescopic plunger rod
-
Non-linear actuation: gas micropump
This linear MEMS system is designed with a gas-tight housing and a telescopic plunger rod. A spring and pressure relieve valve are installed internally in the MEMS system to facilitate the reusable function.
To activate the system, electrical power is supplied to our MEMS microelectrode, which electrochemically generates the necessary gas pressure in the telescopic plunger rod chamber by converting the electrolyte into gas at a volume conversion ratio of 1:1000. The gas pressure serves as the driving force for the actuator, and the high volume conversion ratio of 1:1000 allows for multiple injections until the electrolyte is completely depleted. Alongside its reusability, MicroMED is currently validating the design of the actuator to ensure its recyclability by refilling the electrolyte and recalibrating the actuator for use in a new drug delivery system.
-
Original state of the MEMS actuator with syringe
-
Power on – injection starts – pushing the plunger/stopper forward
-
Power off – injection stops, valve opens to release the gas, spring force initiates the retraction of the plunger rod
Home \ Technology \ Linear Actuation: Primary Actuator® \ MEMS for Autoinjector and Pen
Linear Pneumatic Actuator®
MEMS for Autoinjector and Pen
MicroMED has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of our MEMS technology by integrating it into autoinjector prototypes with volumes of 2.25mL and 5.0mL. These autoinjectors and pen injectors offer a wider range of dose volumes and concentrations. Our MEMS technology can seamlessly adapt to existing AI/Pen systems, enhancing their performance.
Our data indicates significantly improved performance in terms of accuracy, stability, consistency, and power compared to traditional spring and motor mechanisms. MicroMED's MEMS technology meets the flexible design requirements, allowing for versatile considerations.
-
Dose volume 1-10mL
-
Single or multiple Injections
-
cP
-
Flow rate
-
Size
Performance data:
-
1.0 and 2.25mL delivery time for 1, 10, 30cP and 26/27G
-
2.25mL real-time flow rate and volume
-
5mL real-time flow rate and volume
-
2.25mL 100 times of reuse
Video Links
-
2.25mL
-
5mL
Check
.jpg)
Check
Check
Check
Home \ Technology \ Linear Actuation: Primary Actuator® \ MEMS for OBI/OBDS/LVI
Linear Actuation: Primary Actuator®
MEMS for OBI/OBDS/LVI
MicroMED has demonstrated the performance of our MEMS by integrating into a 10mL on-body injector prototype to showcase our technology. MEMS engine as a linear actuator to drive the plunger of a commercially available syringe or primary container using infusion set or needle insertion unit. Our advantages are:
-
Scalable Volume 3-50mL
-
Cost and Size reduction
-
Single and multiple injections
-
cP range
-
Flow rate control
Performance data:
-
10mL real-time flow rate and volume for 28cP, 27G
-
10mL 67 times of reuse
Video Links
-
3mL animation
-
10mL
Check
Check
Home \ Technology \ Linear Actuation: Primary Actuator® \ MEMS for Ultra Large Volume Infusion Pump
Linear Actuation: Primary Actuator®
MEMS for Ultra Large Volume Ambulatory Pump
MicroMED has demonstrated the performance of our MEMS by integrating into a 50mL infusion pump prototype to showcase our technology. MEMS engine as a linear actuator to drive the plunger of a commercially available syringe or primary container using infusion set or needle insertion unit. Our advantages are:
-
Scalable Volume 50-250mL
-
Cost & Size < Motor-Based Infusion Pump
-
Size < Spring-Based Infusion Pump
-
Single or multiple injections
-
cP range
-
Flow rate control
-
Commercialization strategy – 510K approach
Lab data :
-
50mL real time flow rate and volume for 1cP, 27G
-
50mL 15 times of reuse (5cP, 26G)
Video Link
50mL (10cP 26G needle infusion set)
Check
Check
Home \ Technology \ Non-Linear Actuation: MedActuator® \ MEMS for Oral Smart Pill
Non-linear Actuation: MedActuator®
MEMS for Oral Smart Pill
MicroMED has another product line of “non-linear” engine to demonstrate our miniaturization capability to integrate a small form-factor MEMS microelectrode chip into a smart pill/capsule prototype device for oral-path biologics administration. The targeted delivery site for this prototype is at GI tract to either small intestine (for Systemic Delivery) and large intestine (for Local Delivery).Flow rate
-
Dose Volume 500mL
-
Small size < fish oil capsule
-
High viscosity >> 500cP
-
Biocompatible
-
Simple, small, flexible design
-
Can accommodate other diagnostic & control features
Home \ Technology \ Non-Linear Actuation: MedActuator® \ MEMS for Micro Dosing
Non-linear Actuation: MedActuator®
MEMS for Micro Dosing
MicroMED also offers a product line featuring a "non-linear" engine, showcasing our expertise in miniaturization by integrating a small form-factor MEMS microelectrode chip into a prototype micro infusion pump. This particular product is designed for microdosing applications that require precise delivery control at the µL scale. MicroMED successfully conducted tests with this actuator in animal study.
Furthermore, this technology has shown significant potential for use in human implantable applications such as intraocular, intracochlear, intradural, and more. The external housing material can be either rigid or soft to accommodate various implantable applications. Additionally, the micro dosing system can incorporate several micro components, including flow sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, gyroscopes, transducers, and more. This integration allows for more sophisticated treatment and diagnostic applications.
-
Dose Volume 100 and 500mL
-
Small size
-
High viscosity >>500cP
-
Biocompatible
-
Rigid or soft housing design
-
Simple, small, flexible design
-
Can accommodate other diagnostic & control features
We have conducted a long-term implant safety test in 5 SPF rats at Mackay Hospital Biomedical Center. Below is a summary for this safety test result:
[Method]
-
Implant for 7 days
-
Suture/clip site photo daily
-
Device explanted after 7 days
[Observation]
-
2 rats with hemorrhage on day 1 and recovered after day 4
-
No weight loss for all 5 rats
-
Tissue recovered well for all 5 rats after Day 5
-
Clip gives better heal than Suture
-
No rat shows significant effect and maintain good mobility during the whole testing period
Non-linear Actuation: MedActuator®
MEMS for Dual Bag Ultra Large Volume OBI
MicroMED has another product line of “non-linear” engine to demonstrate a space-efficient “wearable” ultra LVI/OBI (>50mL) leveraging MEMS “gas pump” based on a “Dual Bag” design (no plunger rod is needed).
-
Dose Volume 50-250mL
-
Simple design, low cost
-
Small form factor 90 x 85 x 25mm
-
Disposable container bag with reusable control system
-
High viscosity
-
Simple, small, flexible design
-
Be public on Jan 22 2024 (due to IP protection)
Home \ Technology \ Non-Linear Actuation: MedActuator® \ MEMS for Dual Bag