Bio Break: Innovations in Drug Delivery Systems

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Bio Break: Innovations in Drug Delivery Systems

Topic: Bio Break

In this episode of Bio Break, Joris and Nick explore groundbreaking innovations in drug delivery systems, focusing on how advanced technologies are transforming the precision and effectiveness of medical treatments. From delivering medications to hard-to-reach areas like the brain to targeted oral delivery, this discussion highlights solutions that are redefining modern healthcare.

Joris begins by discussing a revolutionary implant designed to overcome one of the biggest challenges in drug delivery: ensuring medications can effectively reach the brain. Traditional methods often fail to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, limiting the efficacy of treatments for neurological conditions. However, the implant Joris describes enables drugs to permeate the brain up to seven times more effectively, showcasing a major step forward in treating patients with conditions like brain cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.

Nick shares another fascinating example of drug delivery innovation—a robotic pill. This small, swallowable device resembles a standard capsule but contains advanced technology that allows it to localize within the gastrointestinal tract. Once positioned in a targeted area, it delivers precise doses of medication, addressing conditions such as dysbiosis and other localized issues. Unlike conventional oral medications that dissolve systemically, this robotic capsule ensures delivery at the site of need, minimizing side effects and maximizing therapeutic impact.

The episode underscores the transformative potential of these systems, which merge cutting-edge engineering and biology to improve outcomes for patients. By tailoring drug delivery to specific regions of the body or overcoming physical barriers like the blood-brain barrier, these innovations promise greater precision, fewer risks, and enhanced treatment efficacy.

This episode is a must-watch for medical device developers, healthcare innovators, and professionals in drug delivery and precision medicine. Discover how these advancements—once considered science fiction—are becoming a reality, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in patient care and treatment delivery.

Innovations in Drug Delivery Systems

Brain-computer interface - A man wearing a brain-computer interface (BCI) headset sits in a clinical setting, concentrating as he appears to control a robotic arm with his mind. His head is overlaid with digital graphics representing brain activity. A doctor in a white lab coat stands nearby, monitoring the interaction. Onscreen data displays in the background suggest medical or neurological analysis. Bold text on the image reads "Brain-Controlled Tech?"

We explore the world of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and the challenges of capturing thought into action. Mark Drlik and Ariana Wilson walk through how these systems translate brain activity into control signals for devices—without needing surgical implants.

Person applying a white microneedle patch to their upper arm, with a red arrow pointing to the patch and a close-up of the microneedles on the right. Text reads “Painless!” to highlight the pain-free nature of the patch.

Nigel and Nick explore microneedle drug delivery—a growing field in medtech that aims to improve patient comfort and treatment compliance. While the term “microneedles” may sound futuristic, this technology has been around for years.

A 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation result showing a scalar field contour in a branched tube system, with values ranging from 0.000 (blue) to 0.500 (red). The contour visualization highlights flow variation along the geometry, with red and orange indicating high scalar values in upper segments and blue-green regions representing lower values in the lower tube segments.

The impact of shear stress is critical to effectively design medical devices that handle biological fluids such as proteins or cell culture media. For example, non-physiological shear stress (NPSS) on blood is a key factor because hemolysis (cell rupture) could occur due to accumulated stress.