• Recent developments in cochlear physiology and molecular biology have paved the way for new and innovative ways of treating and preventing sensorineural hearing loss, ultimately benefiting millions of individuals.

• A safe and reliable mechanism for delivering bioactive compounds directly to the inner ear is needed.

• The aim of this collaborative research effort between Draper Laboratory and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is to design and develop a versatile long-term drug delivery system for the treatment of inner ear disorders and prevention of sensorineural hearing loss, capable of delivering multiple simple and complex molecules over long periods of time, with control and regulation of sequence and rate of delivery.

Photograph of programmable wearable microfluidic drug delivery system. At right is the housing lid with control electronics and battery. At left is the housing base showing pump and connecting tubing. The microfabricated T-junction and with outlet cannula is in the foreground.

The following people are contributing to the work on this project:

Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Jeff Borenstein, Mark Mescher, Jason Fiering, Sarah Tao, Erin Swan,
Maria Holmboe

Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary

Sharon Kujawa, William Sewell, Michael McKenna, Zhiqiang Chen, Marcello Peppi, Brian Murphy

For more information about the collaborators at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, visit their website: http://research.meei.harvard.edu/epl/

This work has been supported by a grant from the NIDCD.