Journal of Zhejiang University

Bio-Design and Manufacturing 2026 Vol.9 No.3 P.599 - 611

Subcutaneous microfuse-activated device for programmed pulsatile drug delivery

Author(s): Myoung Ju Kim,Han Bi Ji,Yong Chan Cho,Jae Chan Cho,Woo Hyun Kim,Gi Min Park,Chang Hee Min,Min Ji Kim,Cho Rim Kim,Jae Hoon Han,Cheol Lee,Mark R. Prausnitz,Young Bin Choy
Affiliation(s): 1. Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea more
Corresponding email(s): ybchoy@snu.ac.kr
Key Words: Implantable device, Microfuse, Actuator, Timed drug delivery, Pulsatile drug delivery

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Myoung Ju Kim. Subcutaneous microfuse-activated device for programmed pulsatile drug delivery[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science D, 2026, 9(3): 599 - 611.

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publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
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Abstract
Chinese Summary
Academic Network
Reviewer Comment

Abstract: pulsatile drug delivery, in which rapid drug release is separated by defined lag periods, offers significant therapeutic advantages but is limited by the need for repeated injections and poor patient adherence. Here, we introduce the fused device (FUSED), a subcutaneous system enabling programmed multidose drug delivery through a single implantation. FUSED comprises paired delay and shot units that regulate dosing intervals and trigger pulsatile drug release, respectively. After implantation, body fluids gradually dissolve the microfuse in each delay unit, with the delay duration determined by fuse length. Once fluid reaches a shot unit, an effervescent reaction is initiated, producing rapid drug release. In vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated precise pulsatile release of the model antigen ovalbumin, effectively reproducing prime–boost vaccination timing and eliciting the corresponding immune response. These results suggest that FUSED may provide a viable alternative to repeated injections and improve adherence in multidose therapeutic regimens.The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.

Subcutaneous microfuse-activated device for programmed pulsatile drug delivery

脉冲式药物递送通过在预设时间间隔后实现快速释放, 能够带来显著的治疗优势, 但通常依赖多次注射, 患者依从性较差。本文提出一种融合装置 (FUSED), 这是一种可通过单次植入实现程序化多次给药的皮下递送系统。该装置由成对的延迟单元和释放单元组成, 分别用于调控给药时间间隔和触发脉冲释放。植入体内后, 体液逐步溶解延迟单元中的微导火索, 其长度决定延迟时间。当体液到达释放单元时, 触发起泡反应, 从而实现药物的快速释放。体内和体外实验表明, 该系统可实现模型抗原卵清蛋白的精确脉冲释放, 成功模拟 “初免–加强免疫” 的疫苗接种时序, 并诱导相应的免疫反应。上述结果表明, FUSED 有望替代传统多次注射方案, 提高多剂量治疗中的患者依从性。
Implantable device; Microfuse; Actuator; Timed drug delivery; Pulsatile drug delivery