DGIST develops wireless neural interface for precise drug delivery to deep brain regions

□ A research team led by Professor Kyung-In Jang in the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) has developed an implantable wireless neural interface capable of delivering drugs precisely to deep regions of the brain.

□ The device incorporates a micro-pump and microchannel structure based on flexible materials, thereby enabling precise drug infusion at desired times and locations without needing external equipment. The research team expects that this technology could be applied to the treatment of intractable brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

□ One of the greatest challenges in treating brain diseases is the blood-brain barrier (BBB)^[1], which makes it difficult for drugs to reach the targeted region and poses significant risks of side effects when administered systemically. Existing drug infusion devices also rely on external pumps and tubes, consequently restricting patient mobility and limiting their feasibility for long-term use.

□ To address this challenge, the team led by Professor Kyung-In Jang designed a fully flexible implantable device. They achieved precise drug delivery without backflow by applying a micro-pump, which mimics gastrointestinal peristalsis, and an inclined nozzle-diffuser channel. In addition, a wireless control module was incorporated, thereby enabling real-time adjustment of infusion rate and dosage.

□ To verify the performance of the device, the team conducted experiments using a brain phantom (agarose gel). The results confirmed that drugs were delivered constantly without backflow and that infusion rate and dosage could be freely controlled via wireless signals. In addition, all components were fabricated from soft materials, thus ensuring good compatibility with brain tissue and demonstrating stable insertion and operation.

□ The implantable wireless neural interface developed through this research serves as a new platform capable of delivering drugs precisely without relying on external equipment, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional methods. In the future, this is expected to evolve into a personalized treatment system by integrating electrodes and sensors to monitor patients’ brain signals in real time and automatically administer drugs when needed.

□ Professor Kyung-in Jang stated, “The device developed in this study has enabled precise wireless drug delivery to deep regions of the brain. Moving forward, we will verify its long-term stability for clinical application and expand it into a treatment platform for various neurological disorders.”

□ This research was supported by the Industrial Technology Alchemist Project of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and the Nano and Material Technology Development Project of the Ministry of Science and ICT. The findings were published in August in npj Flexible Electronics, an international academic journal.

 - Corresponding Author E-mail Address : kijang@dgist.ac.kr
 

^[1] Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): A specialized protective barrier surrounding the brain, formed by tightly connected endothelial cells in the cerebral blood vessels. While it shields the brain from bacteria and toxic substances, it also prevents most drugs from entering the brain.