Microfabricated Drug Delivery Devices: Design, Fabrication, and Applications

Microfabrication technology has enabled the development of novel controlled‐release devices that possess an integration of structural, mechanical, and perhaps electronic features, which may address challenges associated with conventional delivery systems. In this feature article, microfabricated devices are described in terms of materials, mechanical design, working principles, and fabrication methods, all of which are key features for production of multifunctional, highly effective drug delivery systems. In addition, the current status and future prospects of different types of microfabricated devices for controlled drug delivery are summarized and analyzed with an emphasis on various routes of administration including ocular, oral, transdermal, and implantable systems. It is likely that microfabrication technology will continue to offer new, alternative solutions to design advanced and sophisticated drug delivery devices that promise to significantly improve medical care. Microfabricated drug delivery devices are intensively designed and fabricated for years, showing great advantages over conventional approaches for more accurate and on‐demand drug delivery. The state‐of‐the‐art achievements in the field are reviewed with special attention to different aspects such as materials, design principles, fabrication technology, and application routes. Future prospects on drug delivery devices are given.