Pulsatile drug delivery devices allow for the controlled and long-term release of drugs in the body under the action of an external stimulus, such as ultrasound or light and magnetic signals. These devices offer promise to patients with chronic diseases that require daily injections or precise doses of toxic medication. Conventional pulsatile devices require the use of large or specialized equipment. Now a research team from the Pohang University of Science and Technology in Korea has designed a porous membrane that stores and releases drug molecules according to an external electric signal. Electrical signals are easy to generate and control, and, combined with a sensor or microchip, could facilitate feedback and remote control from outside the body. The porous membrane is comprised of an aluminum oxide membrane with pores of 400 nanometers in diameter, onto which a thin layer of gold is deposited, followed by a conducting polymer. The changes in the electrochemical state of the membrane affect the opening of its pores. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://www.natureasia.com/asia-materials/highlight.php?id=878