FEEDBACK CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY USING AN ELECTRO-DIFFUSION PUMP

The principles and mode of action of a drug delivery system based on the principles of electrophoresis are examined. The effect of electrode polarity on electrophoretic control of the transport of an ionic drug, propranolol HCI, is described. Using a model system it is shown how using low constant currents the rate of drug delivery from an electrophoretic device may be modulated to produce either increased or decreased release rates from the basal levels produced during passive diffusion. The potential of a feedback controlled electrophoretic device is examined, the model system demonstrating feedback control of the transport of propranolol HCI for a period of eight hours, and showing the possibility of linking such electronic modulation of delivery with a biosensor to provide artificial glands.