Implantable Drug Delivery Systems

Department of Pharmaceutics,
STES’s Smt. Kashibai Navale College of Pharmacy, Kondhwa.
 Contents

 Introduction

 Advantages and Disadvantages

 Concept of Implants and Osmotic pump

 Introduction

 Implants are devices that are placed inside the body

 Implants are small sterile solid masses consisting of a

highly purified drug made by compression or moulding or
extrusion

 In the year 1861. Lafarge introduced the concept of

implantable system for sustained release drug
administration.
 In the very beginning, it was first introduced to produce the
solid implants containing steroid hormones implantable
system for long term delivery.

 Implantable drug delivery systems are placed under the

skin and designed to release drugs into the bloodstream
without the repeat insertion of needles.

 A sterile drug delivery device for subcutaneous

implantation having the ability to deliver the drugs at a
controlled rate over a prolonged period of time, comprising
a rod shaped polymeric inner matrix with an elongated
 body and two ends.

 Implant is an object or material inserted or grafted

into the body for prosthetic, therapeutic diagnostic or
experimental purposes.

 Implants are one of the dosage forms used to achieve

effective concentrations for a long time Therefore the
base materials for implants are required to be
biocompatible.
 Biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers are
often utilized as a base material.

 Non-biodegradable polymers have to be taken out

surgically after completion of the drug release, resulting
in pain and a burden on patients.

 On the other hand, as biodegradable polymers disappear

spontaneously from the body during or after drug release,
the implants are superior in lowering the burden on
patients.
Implant drug delivery system (IDDS) are very attractive
for the classes of drugs that cannot be taken via the oral
route due to

Irregularly absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract

The drugs that undergo first pass metabolism.

 Drugs that are given for prolong therapy like

contraceptives.
 Subcutaneous and intramuscular tissue are ideal locations
for implantation of drug- depot due to

• High fat content that facilitates slow drug absorption

• Minimal nerve supply

• Good hemoperfusion

• Low possibility of localized inflammation or low

reactivity to the insertion of foreign materials
 Various other body regions have also successfully served as
implantation sites, particularly for delivery to localized
tissue such as intravaginal, rectal, intravascular,
intraocular, intrathecal, intracranial, and peritoneal.

 Implants are intended for implantation in the body

(subcutaneous or intramuscular tissue) by a minor surgical
incision or injected through a large bore needle.

 IDDS can be used as delivery systems for either

systemic or local therapeutic effects.
 Ideal Properties of Implantable Devices

 The dosing frequency should be reduced to increase

patient compliance and should release the drug during the
entire treatment period.

 The implant should be easy to develop and should not be

expensive.

 The implant should release the drug in a zero-order

manner or in a controlled manner that leads to effective
treatment and reduced side effects.
 The implant should be easily removable by medical
personnel to discontinue treatment.

 The implant should be easy to sterile.

 The implant should be safe, stable, and effective and

should have enough mechanical strength.

 The implant should be easy to administerand would not

require any special procedure for application.

 The implant should free from any potential problem.

 Advantages of the Implantable Drug Delivery System

 Zero-order release of medication for an extended period.

 Improved patient compliance due to a decrease in dose

frequency.

 Avoid the first-pass metabolism.

 Targeted drug delivery can be achieved by the

implantable drug delivery system.
 Decreased side effects.

 Improved stability of drugs.

 Improved bioavailability of drugs.

 Termination of therapy when required.

 Disadvantages of the Implantable Drug Delivery System

 Surgery is needed for large size implants thus painful

procedure.

 Therapy cannot be simply discontinued.

 Reactions between host and implant.

 Inadequate release of active pharmaceutical ingredientAPI.

 Sometimes they can cause infections, tissue damage.

Approaches In Implantable Drug Delivery System
Approaches In Implantable Drug Delivery System
 Approaches to the Development of implantable Drug
Delivery System

A number of approaches have been developed to achieve the

controlled administration of drugs via implantation. These
approaches are outlined as follows:

1. Controlled Drug Release by Diffusion:

(a) Membrane permeation controlled drug delivery system

using:
(i) Non-porous membranes
(ii) Porous membranes
(iii) Semi-porous membranes

(b) Matrix diffusion controlled drug delivery using:

(i) Liphophilic polymers

(ii) Hydrophilic polymers
(iii) Porous polymers
(c) Micro-reservoir dissolution controlled drug delivery
using:

(i) Hydrophilic reservoir in liphophilic matrix

(ii) Liphophilic reservoir in hydrophilic matrix

(d) Membrane matrix hybrid type drug delivery system:

(i) Liphophilic membrane with hydrophilic matrix

(ii) Hydrophilic membrane with liphophilic matrix.
2. Controlled drug release by activation:

(i) Osmotic pressure-activated drug delivery

(ii) Vapour pressure-activated drug delivery
(iii) Magnetically activated drug delivery
(iv) Ultra sound activated drug delivery
(v) Hydrolysis activated drug delivery.
A. Polymer Membrane Permeation Controlled Drug
Delivery System:

 In this controlled drug delivery device, drug reservoir is

totally encapsulated within a capsule shaped or spherical
compartment.

 This total system is covered with a rate controlling

polymeric membrane.
 The drug reservoir can be either solid particles or the
dispersion of the solid particles in a liquid or solid
dispersing medium.

 The encapsulation of the drug reservoir system inside the

polymeric membrane can be done by the encapsulation,
microencapsulation, molding, extrusion etc. Example:
Norplant subdermal implant (Contraceptive implant)
B. Polymer Matrix Diffusion Controlled Drug Delivery
System:

 In this implantable device, the reservoir is formed by

dispersion of the solid particles throughout a lipophilic or
hydrophilic polymer matrix.

 This dispersion can be obtained by dispersing the solid

drug dosage form in the liquid or semi-solid polymer
matrix at the room temperature followed by cross linking
of the polymer chains.
 The drug polymer dispersions are then molded or extruded
to form drug delivery devices of various shapes.

 It can also be prepared by dissolving the drug solid or the

polymer in an organic solvent followed by conservation
or solid evaporation at an elevated temperature under a
vacuum to form microsphere. Example: Compudose
implant.
C. Membrane-matrix Hybrid Type Drug Delivery System:

 This type drug delivery system is actually a hybrid form of

polymer membrane permeation controlled drug delivery
system and the polymer matrix permeation controlled
drug delivery system.

 It follows the constant drug release kinetics just like the

polymer membrane permeation controlled drug delivery
system.Therefore, it will reduce the chances of dose
dumping from the reservoir compartment.
 Just like the matrix diffusion system the drug reservoir is
also prepared by the homogeneous dispersion of the drug
solid particles throughout a polymer matrix.

 But in case of this implantable drug delivery, the total

reservoir is encapsulated within a rate controlling
polymeric membrane.

 This is actually a sandwich type implantable device.

Example: Norplant II subdermal implant.
D. Microreservoir Partition Controlled Drug Delivery
System:

 In this controlled release drug delivery device, the drug

reservoir is a suspension of drug crystals in an aqueous
solution of water miscible polymer and it also forms a
homogeneous dispersion.

 Microdispersion is obtained by the high energy dispersion

technique.
 Different size and shapes of drug delivery devices can be
obtained with the help of extrusion and molding.

 According to the physicochemical properties of the drug, the

device can be further coated with a layer of biocompatible
polymer to modify the mechanism and the rate of drug
release.

 Example: Syncromate implant (Ear implant)

E. Osmotic pressure activated drug delivery system:

 From the above mentioned definition it can be easily

assumed that the osmotic pressure is the main source of
energy in this case to activate and modulate the delivery
of drug.

 Here, the drug reservoir is either a solution or a semisolid

state which is contained within a semipermeable
compartment with controlled water permeability.
Example: Alzet osmotic pump.
F. Vapour Pressure Activated Drug Delivery System:

 In this drug delivery device, the vapour pressure is

mainly used as the power source to activate the
controlled delivery of drugs.

 The drug reservoir contains a solution.

 The reservoir stays inside an infusate chamber.

 Infusate chamber is physically separated from the vapour

pressure chamber by freely movable bellows.
 Vapour pressure chamber contains a vaporizable fluid viz.
Fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon vaporizes at body
temperature and creates the vapour pressure which will
forcefully move the bellow in upwards direction.
G. Magnetically Activated Drug Delivery System:

 Electromagnetic energy is used as the power source to

activate the drug delivery system and to control the rate of
drug delivery.

 A magnetic wave triggering mechanism is incorporated into

the drug delivery device.

 A subdermally implantable, magnetically modulated

hemispherical drug delivery device is fabricated by
positioning a tiny donut shaped magnet at the center of a
polymer matrix.

 It contains a homogeneous dispersion of a drug with low

polymer permeability at a rather high drug polymer ratio to
form hemispherical pellet.

 The external surface of the hemispherical pellet is totally

covered with a pure polymer, viz. Ethylene vinyl acetate
copolymer.
 By applying an external magnetic field the drugs are
activated by the electromagnetic energy to release from
the pellet at a much higher rate of delivery. Example:
Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA) is generally given by the
help of this device.
H. Hydration Activated Drug Delivery System:

 This type of drug delivery device releases the drug

molecules upon activation by hydration of the drug delivery
device by tissue fluid at the implantation site.

 This device is generally prepared from the hydrophilic

polymer.

 Drug molecules are released by the diffusion through the

water saturated pore channels in the swollen polymer
matrix. Example: Norgestomet releasing hydron implant
1. Hydrolysis Activated Drug Delivery Device:

 The drug delivery device is activated by the hydrolysis.

 This hydrolysis is generally happened on the polymer

base by the application of the tissue fluid at the
implantation site.

 In this, the drug delivery device is fabricated by

dispersing a loading dose of drugs in micronized form.
 For this reason a biodegradable polymer is used and then it
is molded into a pellet or bead shaped implant.

 In this device, the rate of drug release is determined by the

rate of biodegradation, polymer composition and molecular
weight, drug loading and drug polymer interaction.

 The rate of drug release is not constant and highly dependent

upon the erosion process of the polymer matrix. Example:
Biodegradable Naltrexone pellets fabricated from poly
copolymer for the antinarcotic treatment of opioid dependent
addicts.
 Classification Based On Route Of Administration

 Subcutaneous Implants-Grafted beneath skin for prolong

drug therapy ex. Norplant subdermal implant

 Intraocular Implants/Inserts implanted/inserted in eye ex-

Ocuserts

 Intravaginal Implants-inserted in vagina

 Intrauterine Implants- inserted in uterus ex. Copper-T

 Implantable Polymeric System Classification

 IDDS classification is a complicated process however the

IDDS is separated into different kinds of active and
passive implantable devices.

 Passive Implant:
 They rely on passive diffusion for drug release.

1. Nondegradable Implants
2. Degradable Implants
 Active Implant:
 Employ some energy-dependent method for providing a
positive driving force to modulate drug release.
 1. Passive implants

 Passive implants appear to be fairly plain, homogeneous &

singular implants, usually consisting of simple drug.
Packing in a substance or composite that is biocompatible.
 They do not involve some mechanical parts, by description,
& rely on a passive, diffusion-mediated process to attenuate
the release of drugs.
 The medication selection, its dosage, total device structure,
polymer matrix & surface properties make treatment kinetic
studies somewhat tunable.
1.1. Non-Biodegradable Polymeric Implantable Systems

 Polymers like silicones, polyurethanes, poly(acrylates), or

copolymers like poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) are widely
used to manufacture non-biodegradable devices.

 This form of the implant may be a monolithic or reservoir-

type device.
 Implants of the monolithic form are produced from a
polymer matrix wherein the medication is distributed
uniformly.

But on the other side, a lightweight medication core

protected by a porous non-biodegradable layer is found in
reservoir-type devices.

The thickness of the membranes as well as the

permeability of the medication via the membrane will
control the release kinetics.
 For contraceptive treatment, non-biodegradable
implantable drug delivery systems have been widely
utilized. Throughout the lifespan, such devices are
architecturally robust even durable.

 Correctly, the key downside of non-biodegradable devices

is that they'll need to be replaced after draining their
medication load.
The substances utilized to manufacture such devices
demonstrate good biocompatibility over a lengthy period,
and they can also lead to infection, harm to the tissues, or
cosmetic deformity.

Consequently, after all the medication has also been

discharged, it is usually removed to avoid any negative
impacts.
1.2. Biodegradable Polymeric Implants
 To address the disadvantages of non-biodegradable devices,
biodegradable implants have been made.

 Such devices are manufactured utilizing polymers or block

copolymers which can be split apart into small pieces
which are exhaled or absorbed by the body afterward.

 Polymers like poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid)

(PLA) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) are usually used
(PLGA).
 To change the rate of drug release, such substances have
been thoroughly examined & their deterioration kinetics
could be easily tuned.

 The key benefit of the strategic implant is that it is not

possible to remove them after implantation, as the
person's body would destroy them.
2. Dynamic or Active Polymeric Implants

 There is a positive driving force for such forms of

devices to regulate the discharge of medications from the
implant.

 They thus show a higher degree of medication discharge

regulation. However, they present greater design prices
related to sophistication.

 Electronic structures made of metallic materials are the

plurality of the devices in this class.
Even so, just polymeric devices will be mentioned to stay
within the range of this report.

Pump form devices are essentially interactive delivery

systems devices.

Osmotic pumping is the principal type of polymeric

effective device. such kind of system is mainly made up of
a semi-permeable layer that covers a medication reservoir.
 Implants Classification

 Implants for drug delivery are several types:

1.In situ forming implants (In situ depot forming
systems)
(a) In situ precipitating implants
(b) In situ microparticle implants
2. Solid implants
3. Infusion devices
1. In situ forming implants (In situ depot forming
systems):
(a) In situ precipitating implants:

These implants are formed from drug containing in a

biocompatible solvent.

The polymer solution form implants after subcutaneous

(s.c.) or intramuscular (i.m.) injection and contact with
aqueous body fluids via the precipitation of polymers.
In situ precipitating implants are formulated to overcome
some problems associated to the uses of biodegradable
microparticles:

i)Requirement for the reconstitution before injection

ii)Inability to remove the dose one injected.
iii)Relatively complicated manufacturing procedures to
produce a sterile, stable and reproducible product.
(b) In situ microparticle implants:

This type of implants is formed to overcome the

disadvantages associated with in situ precipitating implants.

These are:
i)High injection force.

ii) Local irritation at the injection site.

iii) Variability in the solidification rates.

iv)Irregular shape of the implants formed depending on the

cavity into which the implants are introduced (implanted).

v)Undesirable high initial burst release of drugs.

vi)Potential solvent toxicity.

These in situ implantable systems consist of internal phase
(drug-containing polymer solution or suspension) and a
continuous phase (aqueous solution with a surfactant, oil phase
with viscosity enhancer and emulsifier).

The two phases are separately stored in dual-chambered

syringes and mixed through a connector before administration.
2. Solid implants:

Solid implants are generally cylindrical monolithic devices

implanted by a minor surgical incision or injected via a large
bore needle into the s.c. or i.m. tissues.

Subcutaneous (s.c.) tissue is an ideal location because of

its easy access to implantation, poor infusion, slower drug
absorption and low reactivity towards foreign materials.

Drugs generally presented in such implantable systems are

contraceptives, naltrexone, etc.
In these implants, drugs may be dissolved, dispersed or
embedded in a matrix of polymers or waxes/lipids that
control the releasing via dissolution and/or diffusion,
bioerosion, biodegradation, or an activation process, such as
hydrolysis or osmosis.
These systems are generally prepared as implantable
flexible/rigid molded or extruded rods, spherical pellets, or
compressed tablets.
Polymers used are silicone, polymethacrylates, elastomers,
polycaprolactones, polylactide-co-glycolide, etc., whereas
waxes include glyceryl monostearate.
3. Infusion devices:

 Infusion devices are intrinsically powered to release the

drugs at a zero order rate and the drug reservoir can be
refilling from time to time.

 Depending upon the mechanism by which these

implantable pumps are power to release the drugs.
These are 3 types:

i) Osmotic pressure activated drug delivery systems.

ii) Vapor pressure activated drug delivery systems.

iii) Battery powered drug delivery systems.

 Osmotic pumps

Osmotic pumps are designed mainly by a semi-permeable

membrane that surrounds a drug reservoir (Fig).

The membrane should have an orifice that will allow drug

release.

Osmotic gradients will allow a steady inflow of fluid within

the implant.
This process will lead to an increase in the pressure within
the implant that will force drug release trough the orifice.

This design allows constant drug release (zero order

kinetics).

This type of device allows a favorable release rate but the

drug loading is limited
The historical development of osmotic systems includes
seminal contributions such as the Rose-Nelson pump, the
Higuchi-Leeper pumps, the Alzet and Osmet systems, the
elementary osmotic pump, and the push-pull or GITSR
system.

Recent advances include the development of the

controlled porosity osmotic pump, systems based on
asymmetric membranes, and other approaches.
 Osmotic agents

Osmotic agents are used for the fabrication of the osmotic

device maintain a concentration gradient across the
membrane by generating a driving force for the uptake of
water and assist in maintaining drug uniformity in the
hydrated formulation.

Osmotic agents usually are ionic compounds consisting of

either inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, potassium
chloride magnesium sulphate, sodium sulphate, potassium
sulphate and sodium bicarbonate.
Additionally, sugars such as glucose, sorbitol, sucrose and
inorganic salts of carbohydrates can also act as effective
osmotic agents.
Mechanism of Drug Release From Implantable Polymeric
Drug Delivery System

 For the implantable polymeric drug delivery, there have

been primarily four medication releases, which are matrix
depletion; regulated swelling; osmotic pumping; & passive
diffusion.

 Solvent penetration into the device's matrix controls the

speed of discharge for systems dependent on regulated
swelling.
 This is typically much weaker than drug diffusion, which
would thus contribute to a slower rate of discharge.

 Even though diffusion from swollen matrices is primarily

liable for the discharge of drugs, depletion of the matrix
could also lead to the efficacy of these devices.

 On the other hand, osmotic pumping and passive

diffusion mechanisms of drug delivery are the most
promising for linear delivery of drugs.
 In this case, the amount of released drug is proportional to
the square root of the release time.

 Osmosis is the overall movement of water from a dilute

solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially
permeable membrane, and it causes a hydrostatic pressure
difference between the two compartments.

 Osmotic pumping is a phenomenon that utilizes the above

mentioned concept to adjust the delivery rate of drugs in
defined conditions.
 In this case, osmotic pressure, caused by water absorption,
drives the transport of the drug.

 Moreover, implantable drug delivery devices based on this

phenomenon will demonstrate a constant release rate.

 Diffusion is a mechanism by which that substance

randomly migrates to balance chemical potential or
thermodynamic activity through one area to the next.
 Moving substances are commonly referred to as the
diffusants or permeants in this process, and the membrane
or matrix in that the diffusant migrates is referred to as the
diffusional barrier.

 Also, the external stage is called the medium. The

concentration gradient or diffuser profile inside the
diffusional barrier is the driving force of this medication
release mechanism.
 The release kinetics of medications will rely on important
components in drug delivery systems induced by swelling,
osmotic pressure, or passive diffusion, like the molecule's
solubility and diffusion coefficient in the polymer; the
medication load; as well as the polymer's in vivo
degradation rate.
 Formulation components of Implants

(A) Materials:

 Although many polymers can be used to prepare rate

limiting membranes for controlled release relatively few
are employed for implantation purpose because in addition
to being a good rate limiting barriers the polymer should
also be biocompatible and sterilizable.

 Implantable polymers can be classified into biodegradable

and non-biodegradable polymers.
1. Silicone Polymers:

 Silicon polymers are among the most widely used

polymers in controlled drug delivery.

 They provide several advantages such biocompatibility

ease of fabrication resistance to heat sterilization and high
permeability for many lipophillic drugs.

 They are available in polymer from or as multicomponent

system to be polymerized in-situ.
 Therapeutic products prepared with silicon elastomers
include non-plant a sub-dermal implant to deliver
levonorgestrel for contraception a dual-release vaginal
ring and certain transdermal patches.
2. Polyethylene-Vinyl Acetate:

 Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAC) copolymers have been used

for many investigational and commercial devices.

 These vinyl acetate of copolymers can vary from very

small amounts to 40% Increasing the vinyl acetate content
increases elasticity permeability and glass transition
temperature and reduces crystalline.

 The polymer is being used in the Alza ocular insert

focusert) and in IUD reservoir type systems (Progestasert).
3. Cellulose Acetate:

 Cellulose is naturally occurring and one of the most

abundant organic polymers Although various cellulose
derivatives are used in controlled drug delivery devices
application to implants is usually restricted to cellose
acetate, Cellulose acetate is format by the acetylation of
hydroxyl groups in the glucose backbone.

 This acetylation increases water sorption by the polymer and

at about 13% acetylation the polymer is water soluble.
 The polymer becomes insoluble at around 19%
acetylation water sorption decreases with further
acetylation. Commercial cellulose acetate is available
with 36 to 43% acetylation.
 Methods of Preparation of Implants

There are mainly three methods for the preparation of

implants that are discussed below:

1. Extrusion method:
 Firstly selected drug is dissolved in a suitable solvent
system to produce a solution.

 After that polymer is added into the solution slowly and

allowed to stand for 10-15 minutes for soaking purposes.
The swollen material developed had been blended uniformly
till it forms a dough-like material.

 The dough was transferred into the extruder cylinder and

had been extruded in the form of long rods by the help
nozzle.

 Implants dried the whole night at room temperature, and

then cut into the optimum size and dried at 40°C.
2. Compression Method:
 The polymer and drug were dissolved to develop the solution.
The produced solution was subjected to freeze-drying to
produce a uniform cake.

 The cake was subjected to compression for the development

of the implant.

 Implants have been developed by utilizing a Carver

hydraulic press at a pressure of 1 metric ton, utilizing a
stainless steel system developed for this objective,
comprised of a 1mm diameter cylindrical punches set.
3. Molding Method:

 Solution of polymer and the drug was firstly prepared in a

suitable solvent system and then subjected for the
lyophilization and converted to a uniform cake after that
before the prepared cake was molded into rods through a
Teflon sheet heated on a hot plate at a temperature about
100-120C.
 Evaluation Parameters Of Implant

After the preparation by any suitable method, an implant is

subjected to the evaluation that is shape and size, Uniformity
of thickness, Weight variation, and stability studies also.

A. Size and shape:

 Implants are evaluated under light and the size of the

implant was determined with the help of Vernier Caliper.
B. Uniformity of thickness:
 Implants are separately subjected to determine the thickness
with the help of Vernier Calipers, which gives a precise
reading of thickness and tells about the difference in the
thickness of every implant.

 Minimum three samples should be evaluated to get the

mean value.

 Of 20 implants two implants should not be more in weight

than the mean weight and none of the implants should be
the double weight of average weight.
C. Uniformity of weight:

 This test is also known as the weight variation test. It is

performed to determine the uniformity of the weight of
every implant.

 Take 20 implants randomly and weighed mean weight

was calculated.
D. % Swelling Index:

Prepared implants had been dipped into the swelling

medium at neutral pH and left at room temperature for an
hour.

After that implant was weighed, the free solution was

removed by tapping the surface with the dry filter paper.

Calculate % swelling index.

E. In-vitro dissolution studies:

 In-vitro dissolution studies are important to determine the

drug release and the stability of drug products.

 In-vitro dissolution study is carried out with the help of

the rotating paddle, the method comes under the category
of apparatus 2.
 The dissolution medium was filled in the vessel and the
optimum temperature and rpm were set, after put the
implant in the vessel and start rotating the paddle and then
take the sample after time intervals of the predetermined
time.

 And the collected samples were examined under a UV

visible spectrophotometer at a specified wavelength.

 The dissolution study performs a minimum of three times,

and the average observation was taken.
F. Stability studies:

 The purpose of stability testing (the International

Conference on Harmonization [ICH], 2004) is to provide
evidence on how the quality of a drug substance or drug
product varies with time under the influence of a variety of
environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and
light, enabling recommended storage conditions, retest
periods, and shelf lives.
G. Drug and polymer interaction study:

 Infrared spectroscopy of API/drug and polymers was done

by the FTIR.

 After the preparation implant was also subjected to FTIR

analysis to check the compatibility of the drug with
additives.
 Applications

 Biomedical Application:

(i) An implantable drug delivery system offers a great

advantage is injectable controlled release formulations.

(ii) Parenteral controlled administration of drugs via

subcutaneous or intramuscular drug delivery device can
gain easy access to the systemic circulation to achieve a
total bioavailability of drugs as well as a continuous
delivery of drugs unlike transdermal, oral etc. routes of
administration.

 Human Applications:

(i) For the past few years, several types of implantable drug
delivery systems have been discovered with the aim to
achieve continuous administration of systemically active
drugs for the long term regulation of a physiological
process.
(ii)An example of human application is norplant subcutaneous
contraceptive drug delivery system.

(iii)Due to the excellent results from the WHO sponsored

clinical studies with the Norplant, another second generation of
subcutaneous contraception which is also known as the
Norplant-II has been produced. According to the investigators,
due to the easy insertion and the removal procedure of the
Norplant-II, it is much more preferable to the patients rather
than the Norplant-I system.
(iv)A new generation of subcutaneous contraceptive implant,
Implanon" is recently developed and it is also a sandwich type
implant device.

(v)Infused pumps are also applied for the intravenous controlled

infusion of insulin for the continuous treatment of diabetes. A
soluble insulin preparation is used as the drug reservoir in this
case.

(vi)Nowadays several biodegradable subdermal implants has

been made with the help of biodegradable polymers.
(vii) With the help of subcutaneous injections of Goserelin in
solution followed by subcutaneous administration of the
Goserelin releasing sub-dermal implant at three dose levels
clinical evaluation of the antitumor effect is also possible.
 Veterinary Applications:

(i) Several implantable drug delivery devices have been

prepared from biocompatible polymers for veterinary
application.

(ii) A typical example is, Norgestomet releasing sub-

dermal implants for oestrus synchronization.

(iii) Also for the purpose of clinical evaluation.

 Medical Aspects:

(i) Animal tissue contains approximately 70% of body

fluid. There are many enzymes in our body fluid. As
there are many reactions which are dependent upon
various trace metals, therefore through investigation is
needed to search for the long term effect of chemicals or
degradation of the implanted polymeric materials.

(ii) Reactions of host to implant and vice-versa are also one

of the important aspect in this case.
 Other Applications:

i. Numerous insulin-delivery systems have been prepared

and evaluated for a biofeedback approach and have been
described previously.

ii. Biodegradable implantable delivery systems have been

developed to provide prolonged release of antibiotic to
wounds.
iii. The implants consist of microspheres prepared with
polylactic-glycolic acid copolymer 53: 47 and contain
about 10% ampicillin anhydrate.

iv. The system was designed to provide 14 days release of

the drug. The microspheres are shown to control wound
infection in infected and devitalized wounds in rats.
 Conclusion
 The drug can be administered by various routes like oral
drug delivery, transdermal, and implant, etc. the majority of
medicines are responsible for all the drug delivery systems.

 An implantable drug delivery system is an efficient and

good drug delivery system and releases the drug over a
long period.
 Implantable drug delivery system shows controlled or zero-
order release of the drug, and also used for targeted drug
delivery system like contraceptive implants that are used to
prevent pregnancy set up in uterus such implants are placed
into the uterus by small surgery and these implant release
the drugs over period up to 10 years.

 Implantable drug delivery system having a wide range of

advancements like zero-order release, reduced toxicity,
targeted drug delivery system, less amount of drug
required, enhance individual compliance.
 Sometimes implants also lead to fewer hospitalizations that
develop novel areas in healthcare professions.

 It is also described how the implant releases the drug from

it and 4 methods of the drug release are also mentioned.

 This will help in a future study on the implantable drug

delivery system.

 It will also help in the selection of a suitable polymer for

implant preparation.
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