Laser-triggered drug release from polymeric 3-D micro-structured films via optical fibers

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2020.110664Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Laser exposure via optical fiber activates the required number of chambers.

  • The minimum required laser dose depends on the sample environment.

  • The amount of cargo released from the sample depends on the laser incident fluence.

  • Cargo release in soft tissue phantoms.

Abstract

Photosensitive polymeric three-dimensional microstructured film (PTMF) is a new type of patterned polymeric films functionalized with an array of sealed hollow 3D containers. The microstructured system with enclosed chemicals provides a tool for the even distribution of biologically active substances on a given surface that can be deposited on medical implants or used as a cells substrate. In this work, we proposed a way for photothermally activating and releasing encapsulated substances at picogram amounts from the PTMF surface in different environments using laser radiation delivered with a multimode optical fiber. The photosensitive PTMFs were prepared by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly from alternatively charged polyelectrolytes followed by covering with a layer of hydrophobic polylactic acid (PLA) and a layer of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Moreover, the typical photothermal cargo release amounts were determined on the surface of the PTMF for a range of laser powers delivered to films placed in the air, deionized (DI) water, and 1% agarose gel. The agarose gel was used as a soft tissue model for developing a technique for the laser activation of PTMFs deep in tissues using optical waveguides. The number of PTMF chambers activated by a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam was evaluated as the function of optical parameters.

Keywords

Controlled drug delivery
Polyelectrolyte multilayer
Microstructured film
Chamber array
Optical fiber
Infrared laser

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