File:Shape-changing theragrippers as self-latching drug delivery devices.jpg

English: "(A) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the ventricular teeth of hookworm A. duodenale. The worm uses these sharp teeth to penetrate the mucosa and adheres in the GI tract for up to 2 years. Reprinted from Human Parasitology, 4th Ed. (18). Copyright 2013, with permission from Elsevier. (B) SEM image of a theragripper in the closed configuration. Like the hookworm, the theragrippers are equipped with sharp microtips. Schematic illustrations of (C) a single and (D) many theragrippers attached to the mucosal tissue and releasing encapsulated drug (colored in green). Scale bars, 100 μm (A to D). (E) Conceptual illustration of the rectal administration of drug-loaded theragrippers using a pressure-actuated microfluidic flow controller. Images (C) to (E) were illustrated by L. Gregg. MFCS, microfluidic flow control system." "Extended-release gastrointestinal (GI) luminal delivery substantially increases the ease of administration of drugs and consequently the adherence to therapeutic regimens. However, because of clearance by intrinsic GI motility, device gastroretention and extended drug release over a prolonged duration are very challenging. Here, we report that GI parasite–inspired active mechanochemical therapeutic grippers, or theragrippers, can reside within the GI tract of live animals for 24 hours by autonomously latching onto the mucosal tissue. We also observe a notable sixfold increase in the elimination half-life using theragripper-mediated delivery of a model analgesic ketorolac tromethamine. These results provide first-in-class evidence that shape-changing and self-latching microdevices enhance the efficacy of extended drug delivery."