An autonomous drug-injection system with chemo-mechanical energy conversion "Organic Engine"

Abstract

A novel drug-injection system that utilities direct chemo-mechanical energy conversion was fabricated and demonstrated for feedback control of glucose level. The system consists of two integrated units, decompression unit and drug release unit. The decompression unit was fabricated by separating a cylindrical cell into a top cell (gas phase) and a bottom cell (liquid phase) by glucose oxidase (GOD) enzyme immobilized membrane. The enzyme membrane recognizes glucose and converts chemical energy into pressure decreaese by consuming oxgen. The linear correlation between glucose concentration and de-pressure slope of the top cell was revealed as applying glucose solution to the bottom cell. The drug release unit which utilizes the energy of the decompression unit as a power source was evaluated by recording its release actions. The system is expected to be used in intelligent actuators without external energy.