Eveon & Leti Advance Smart Bolus-Type Micro-Pump for Drug Delivery

Eveon and CEA-Leti recently announced the demonstration of liquid-pumping for smart drug delivery in the bolus mode using a silicon-based micro-pump fabricated with a standard MEMS process.

The milestone is the first functional micro-pump integration using MEMS standard process on Leti’s 200-mm line. It is a result of FluMin3, Eveon’s and Leti’s 3-year joint-development project to produce an automatic drug delivery system integrating a MEMS micro-pump that reduces patient discomfort by delivering medicine with very high accuracy, minimal loss, and high flow rates.

FluMin3 is a major R&D program supported by the Rhone-Alpes competitive cluster MINALOGIC in collaboration with CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES and IMEP-LAHC, the Institute of Microelectronics Electromagnetism and Photonics, and Microwave and Characterization Laboratory.

The micro-pump is based on core technology initiated by Eveon and IMEP-LAHC. The pump demonstrator is made from silicon wafers, which include a thin deformable membrane sealed over a fluidic cavity and fluidic valves determining inlet and outlet. A dedicated electromagnetic actuator developed by CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES shapes the membrane.

First fluidic characterization of this device showed very promising pumping results with typical water-flow rates of 12 ml/min without any counter-pressure, and up to 6 ml/min under 1 bar counter-pressure. These results surpass the performance of state-of-the-art commercial micro-pumps whose typical water-flow rate capacity currently is 6 ml/min without any counter-pressure and 2 ml/min under 0.5 bar counter-pressure.

These encouraging results already match bolus-mode injection requirements. In addition, new designs under development by Eveon and Leti are expected to improve fluidic performances. At the same time, MEMS flow sensors designed to be finally integrated in the micro-pump have been fabricated and used to achieve an accurate liquid dosing using micro-diaphragm pumps with a dosing error below 5% for different counter-pressures.

Eveon, which coordinated this project, and Leti are continuing their work to stabilize relevant MEMS processes before industrialization and to integrate MEMS sensors inside the micro-pump to demonstrate an automatically controlled smart drug delivery device. More technical details concerning the architecture, the process of fabrication, and performances of this new micro-pump will be published and presented in coming conferences.

By creating innovation and transfering it to industry, Leti is the bridge between basic research and production of micro- and nanotechnologies that improve the lives of people around the world. Backed by its portfolio of 2,200 patents, Leti partners with large industrials, SMEs, and start-ups to tailor advanced solutions that strengthen their competitive positions. It has launched more than 50 start-ups. For more information, visit www.leti.fr.

Eveon develops and manufactures medical devices for the preparation and/or administration of complex drugs. Eveon is located in France and the US. Eveon was named a winner in the national competitive examination by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, in the Emergence and Creation/Development categories. It also has received an award from the Isère Entreprendre Network, and the Trophée Jeune Entreprise Innovante (Start-up Trophy) awarded by Usine Nouvelle Magazine in the Innovative Products category. Eveon is also the first company of the world-class cluster Minalogic to receive the label Entreprise Innovante de Pôle (EIP). For more information, visit www.eveon.eu.