Design, fabrication, and characterization of an electrochemically-based dose tracking system for closed-loop drug delivery

A real-time integrated electrochemically-based dose tracking system for closed-loop drug delivery is presented. Thin film Pt sensors were integrated in an electrolytic MEMS drug delivery pump to allow dose tracking via electrochemical impedance measurement. Measurement electrode placement and composition were investigated. A bolus resolution of 230 nL was demonstrated. The sensor was calibrated for use with water (low conductivity) and 1 × PBS (high conductivity), the selected model aqueous drugs. The impedance response is dependent on delivered volume and not affected by actuation parameters. A graphical user interface was created for real-time impedance based dose tracking and leakage/blockage detection in the system. Drift in the impedance response of an idle system after perturbation (actuation) were investigated and mitigated through the use of Pt wire electrodes as opposed to thin film electrodes.