A MEMS electrochemical bellows actuator for fluid metering applications

Biomed Microdevices. 2013 Feb;15(1):37-48. doi: 10.1007/s10544-012-9685-0.

Abstract

We present a high efficiency wireless MEMS electrochemical bellows actuator capable of rapid and repeatable delivery of boluses for fluid metering and drug delivery applications. Nafion®-coated Pt electrodes were combined with Parylene bellows filled with DI water to form the electrolysis-based actuator. The performance of actuators with several bellows configurations was compared for a range of applied currents (1-10 mA). Up to 75 boluses were delivered with an average pumping flow rate of 114.40 ± 1.63 μL/min. Recombination of gases into water, an important factor in repeatable and reliable actuation, was studied for uncoated and Nafion®-coated actuators. Real-time pressure measurements were conducted and the effects of temperature, physiological back pressure, and drug viscosity on delivery performance were investigated. Lastly, we present wireless powering of the actuator using a class D inductive powering system that allowed for repeatable delivery with less than 2 % variation in flow rate values.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Temperature
  • Drug Delivery Systems / instrumentation*
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolysis / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation*
  • Pressure
  • Viscosity
  • Wireless Technology / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • perfluorosulfonic acid