Revolutionary micropump performance just over the horizon

The micropump, a type of drug delivery system, is well-known to diabetics, many of whom use the devices for their daily insulin injections. Although micropumps are both practical and reliable, they do have their drawbacks: First, with a price tag in the thousands of euros, they are costly. Second, the drug volumes delivered are limited to one microliter per minute. But R&D partners IMEP-LAHC, Leti, Eveon, and Cedrat Technologies have just unveiled a revolutionary new MEMS-based micropump capable of overcoming these hurdles.
The new pump can deliver up to several milliliters per minute, making it possible to administer biodrugs from one to three times per day—particularly useful in treating diseases like cancer, myopathy, and cystic fibrosis. And that’s just the beginning. With an injection that lasts just 30 seconds, patient comfort is significantly enhanced. Plus, the dosage delivered is fine-tuned by an extremely sensitive MEMS flow sensor and dedicated electronics for increased patient safety—not to mention savings on drugs that can cost up to several hundred euros per microliter.
The partners developed the innovation under the three-year FluMIn3 collaborative R&D project, which was certified by Minalogic. IMEP-LAHC designed the silicon-based micropump, characterized it, and completed the early demonstrators. Leti then stepped in to fabricate the device on the institute’s 200 mm line in order to determine industrial-scale production costs and technical feasibility. Cedrat Technologies designed the pump’s electromagnetic actuator. And, ultimately, Eveon will market the pump.

Contact: laurent.montes@grenoble-inp.fr

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