When the term “microchip” is mentioned, many things come into mind such as science fiction stories describing super-small computers or advanced tracking devices. It is probable that “administering medicine” is one of the last things you would think about when you hear “microchip.” But what if this is actually a reality with probable wide usage?
Professors Robert Langer (right) and Michael Cima (left) at the Koch Institute. Photo by: M. Scott Brauer
Professors Robert Langer and Michael Cima of MIT have been conceptualized this idea 15 years ago. The microchips would be implanted into a patient needing a regular dose of a drug and then the programming of the microchip would release consistent doses appropriate for the treatment. After much research with the scientists of MicroCHIPS Inc. the first reports of successful human trials have been released early this month.
“You could literally have a pharmacy on a chip.” – Professor Robert Lange, MIT.
So how does this microchip work? The microchip stores a certain amount of doses of a certain drug that the patient needs (clinical trials on osteoporosis patients included 20 doses in the chip). The chip would then be programmed to release a certain dosage daily into the patients. This programming can be altered or monitored wirelessly from a doctor’s computer. After programming, the chip would be surgically implanted into the patient’s body.
This would mean many things for the patient requiring daily doses of essential medicine. First of all, patients will not have to worry about taking their medicine at an allotted time – the chip will do that for them. This is very significant considering living with a drug regimen of daily self-injections can be strenuous for the patient. Second, the correct dosages will be administered by the microchip at the correct times. The doctor can have the chip programmed differently depending on the dosage and dose times depending on the ailment. An example of this is osteoporosis patients receiving teriparatide daily from the chip.
But are there any problems with this chip? This method of drug delivery system has shown to be just as good if not better than normal daily injections the patients have to give themselves. In addition to this, the programming of the chip can be altered to release the drugs as a certain dose per day, or a “pulse” or even a consistent release – all customized for the patient’s needs. The researchers at MicroCHIPS Inc. have also refined the chips to store the drugs in an airtight seal inside the chip and the chip itself to be made of materials that do not interfere with the host’s immune system. In the future, Professors Lange and Cima hope to add sensors to the chips so concentrations of chemicals in the patient (such as glucose) and have the chip adapt to the changing background.
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