Thursday, March 26, 2026
No menu items!
HomeNatureTowards intelligent and miniaturized drug delivery devices

Towards intelligent and miniaturized drug delivery devices

  • Langer, R. & Tirrell, D. A. Designing materials for biology and medicine. Nature 428, 487–492 (2004).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Baryakova, T. H., Pogostin, B. H., Langer, R. & McHugh, K. J. Overcoming barriers to patient adherence: the case for developing innovative drug delivery systems. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 22, 387–409 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Farra, R. et al. First-in-human testing of a wirelessly controlled drug delivery microchip. Sci. Transl. Med. 4, 122ra121 (2012). This paper reports on the first clinical trial of an implantable microchip-based drug delivery device.

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yu, J. et al. Microneedle-array patches loaded with hypoxia-sensitive vesicles provide fast glucose-responsive insulin delivery. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 112, 8260–8265 (2015). This paper describes a glucose-responsive transdermal device for regulation of insulin release.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Arrick, G. et al. Cephalopod-inspired jetting devices for gastrointestinal drug delivery. Nature 636, 481–487 (2024). This study developed and evaluated microjet delivery systems that can deliver jets in axial and radial directions into tissue.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Shi, J. et al. Active biointegrated living electronics for managing inflammation. Science 384, 1023–1030 (2024). This paper reports a biointegrated living device that wirelessly records electrical signals from the skin surface and improves disease treatment in a mouse model of psoriasis.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yin, D. et al. A battery-free nanofluidic intracellular delivery patch for internal organs. Nature 642, 1051–1061 (2025). This paper describes a chipless, soft nanofluidic intracellular delivery patch that provides enhanced and customized delivery of payloads in targeted internal organs.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zheng, M., Sheng, T., Yu, J., Gu, Z. & Xu, C. Microneedle biomedical devices. Nat. Rev. Bioeng. 2, 324–342 (2024).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Paci, M. M. et al. Smart closed-loop drug delivery systems. Nat. Rev. Bioeng. 3, 816–834 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Mirvakili, S. M. & Langer, R. Wireless on-demand drug delivery. Nat. Electron. 4, 464–477 (2021).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wei, X. et al. Wirelessly controlled drug delivery systems for translational medicine. Nat. Rev. Electr. Eng. 2, 244–262 (2025).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • He, H. et al. Hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber network for robust and electronically conductive hydrogels. Nat. Commun. 14, 759 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Oh, B. et al. 3D printable and biocompatible PEDOT: PSS-ionic liquid colloids with high conductivity for rapid on-demand fabrication of 3D bioelectronics. Nat. Commun. 15, 5839 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, T. et al. Two-dimensional polyaniline crystal with metallic out-of-plane conductivity. Nature 638, 411–417 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhou, Y. et al. An integrated Mg battery-powered iontophoresis patch for efficient and controllable transdermal drug delivery. Nat. Commun. 14, 297 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Keum, D. H. et al. Wireless smart contact lens for diabetic diagnosis and therapy. Sci. Adv. 6, eaba3252 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wang, G. et al. Optimized glycemic control of type 2 diabetes with reinforcement learning: a proof-of-concept trial. Nat. Med. 29, 2633–2642 (2023). This study developed a model-based reinforcement learning framework, which learns the optimal insulin regimen by analysing glycaemic state rewards through patient model interactions.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jiang, Y. et al. Wireless, closed-loop, smart bandage with integrated sensors and stimulators for advanced wound care and accelerated healing. Nat. Biotechnol. 41, 652–662 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Shirzaei Sani, E. et al. A stretchable wireless wearable bioelectronic system for multiplexed monitoring and combination treatment of infected chronic wounds. Sci. Adv. 9, eadf7388 (2023).

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ge, Z. et al. Wireless and closed-loop smart dressing for exudate management and on-demand treatment of chronic wounds. Adv. Mater. 35, 2304005 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kim, T. Y. et al. Wireless theranostic smart contact lens for monitoring and control of intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Nat. Commun. 13, 6801 (2022).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Joo, H. et al. Soft implantable drug delivery device integrated wirelessly with wearable devices to treat fatal seizures. Sci. Adv. 7, eabd4639 (2021).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y., Yu, J., Bomba, H. N., Zhu, Y. & Gu, Z. Mechanical force-triggered drug delivery. Chem. Rev. 116, 12536–12563 (2016).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Abramson, A. et al. An ingestible self-orienting system for oral delivery of macromolecules. Science 363, 611–615 (2019). This study developed an ingestible delivery vehicle that could self-reorient from any starting position so as to attach to the gastric wall.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhao, S. et al. A wearable osmotic microneedle patch provides high-capacity sustained drug delivery in animal models. Sci. Transl. Med. 16, eadp3611 (2024). This paper reports an osmotic microneedle patch for sustained drug delivery in a wearable and painless manner.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y. et al. Battery-free, lightweight, injectable microsystem for in vivo wireless pharmacology and optogenetics. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 116, 21427–21437 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Xu, J. et al. Acoustic metamaterials-driven transdermal drug delivery for rapid and on-demand management of acute disease. Nat. Commun. 14, 869 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Son, D. et al. Multifunctional wearable devices for diagnosis and therapy of movement disorders. Nat. Nanotechnol. 9, 397–404 (2014).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jeong, J.-W. et al. Wireless optofluidic systems for programmable in vivo pharmacology and optogenetics. Cell 162, 662–674 (2015).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Babaee, S. et al. Temperature-responsive biometamaterials for gastrointestinal applications. Sci. Transl. Med. 11, eaau8581 (2019).

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, J. et al. Flexible, sticky, and biodegradable wireless device for drug delivery to brain tumors. Nat. Commun. 10, 5205 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, H. et al. A graphene-based electrochemical device with thermoresponsive microneedles for diabetes monitoring and therapy. Nat. Nanotechnol. 11, 566–572 (2016).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, S. H. et al. Magnetically-driven implantable pump for on-demand bolus infusion of short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. J. Control. Release 325, 111–120 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jayaneththi, V. et al. Controlled transdermal drug delivery using a wireless magnetic microneedle patch: Preclinical device development. Sensor Actuat. B 297, 126708 (2019).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lu, Y., Aimetti, A. A., Langer, R. & Gu, Z. Bioresponsive materials. Nat. Rev. Mater. 2, 1–17 (2016).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Liu, G. W. et al. Drinkable in situ-forming tough hydrogels for gastrointestinal therapeutics. Nat. Mater. 23, 1292–1299 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, Q. et al. In situ sprayed bioresponsive immunotherapeutic gel for post-surgical cancer treatment. Nat. Nanotechnol. 14, 89–97 (2019).This paper reports an in situ formed immunotherapeutic bioresponsive gel that controls both local tumour recurrence after surgery and development of distant tumours.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Xu, J. et al. A bioinspired polymeric membrane-enclosed insulin crystal achieves long-term, self-regulated drug release for type 1 diabetes therapy. Nat. Nanotechnol. 20, 697–706 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wang, Z. et al. Dual self-regulated delivery of insulin and glucagon by a hybrid patch. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 117, 29512–29517 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Matsumoto, A. et al. Synthetic “smart gel” provides glucose-responsive insulin delivery in diabetic mice. Sci. Adv. 3, eaaq0723 (2017).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yu, J. et al. Glucose-responsive insulin patch for the regulation of blood glucose in mice and minipigs. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 4, 499–506 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wang, J. et al. Glucose transporter inhibitor-conjugated insulin mitigates hypoglycemia. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 116, 10744–10748 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Mo, R., Jiang, T., DiSanto, R., Tai, W. & Gu, Z. ATP-triggered anticancer drug delivery. Nat. Commun. 5, 3364 (2014).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wang, C. et al. In situ formed reactive oxygen species-responsive scaffold with gemcitabine and checkpoint inhibitor for combination therapy. Sci. Transl. Med. 10, eaan3682 (2018).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • McHugh, K. J. et al. Fabrication of fillable microparticles and other complex 3D microstructures. Science 357, 1138–1142 (2017). This paper describes a microfabrication method and create injectable pulsatile drug-delivery microparticles.

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Tran, K. T. et al. Transdermal microneedles for the programmable burst release of multiple vaccine payloads. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 5, 998–1007 (2021).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Liang, K., Carmone, S., Brambilla, D. & Leroux, J.-C. 3D printing of a wearable personalized oral delivery device: A first-in-human study. Sci. Adv. 4, eaat2544 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y. et al. Thrombin-responsive transcutaneous patch for auto-anticoagulant regulation. Adv. Mater. 29, 1604043 (2017).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Maitz, M. F. et al. Bio-responsive polymer hydrogels homeostatically regulate blood coagulation. Nat. Commun. 4, 2168 (2013).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhao, H., Xue, S., Hussherr, M.-D., Teixeira, A. P. & Fussenegger, M. Autonomous push button-controlled rapid insulin release from a piezoelectrically activated subcutaneous cell implant. Sci. Adv. 8, eabm4389 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Krawczyk, K. et al. Electrogenetic cellular insulin release for real-time glycemic control in type 1 diabetic mice. Science 368, 993–1001 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Bose, S. et al. A retrievable implant for the long-term encapsulation and survival of therapeutic xenogeneic cells. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 4, 814–826 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Desai, T. & Shea, L. D. Advances in islet encapsulation technologies. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 16, 338–350 (2017).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wang, L.-H. et al. A bioinspired scaffold for rapid oxygenation of cell encapsulation systems. Nat. Commun. 12, 5846 (2021).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • An, D. et al. Designing a retrievable and scalable cell encapsulation device for potential treatment of type 1 diabetes. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 115, E263–E272 (2018).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Pepper, A. R. et al. A prevascularized subcutaneous device-less site for islet and cellular transplantation. Nat. Biotechnol. 33, 518–523 (2015).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, W. et al. Adoptive Treg therapy with metabolic intervention via perforated microneedles ameliorates psoriasis syndrome. Sci. Adv. 9, eadg6007 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhou, R. et al. Grooved microneedle patch augments adoptive T cell therapy against solid tumors via diverting regulatory T cells. Adv. Mater. 36, 2401667 (2024).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ye, Y. et al. Microneedle integrated with pancreatic cells and synthetic glucose-signal amplifiers for smart insulin delivery. Adv. Mater. 28, 3115 (2016).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Tang, J. et al. Cardiac cell-integrated microneedle patch for treating myocardial infarction. Sci. Adv. 4, eaat9365 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Coon, M. E., Stephan, S. B., Gupta, V., Kealey, C. P. & Stephan, M. T. Nitinol thin films functionalized with CAR-T cells for the treatment of solid tumours. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 4, 195–206 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Agarwalla, P. et al. Bioinstructive implantable scaffolds for rapid in vivo manufacture and release of CAR-T cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 40, 1250–1258 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wu, J. et al. Adhesive anti-fibrotic interfaces on diverse organs. Nature 630, 360–367 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhou, X. et al. Immunocompatible elastomer with increased resistance to the foreign body response. Nat. Commun. 15, 7526 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, N. Immune-compatible designs of semiconducting polymers for bioelectronics with suppressed foreign-body response. Nat. Mater. 25, 124–132 (2026).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, H. et al. Drug target prediction through deep learning functional representation of gene signatures. Nat. Commun. 15, 1853 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, K. et al. Artificial intelligence in drug development. Nat. Med. 31, 45–59 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jiang, Y. et al. Pocketflow is a data-and-knowledge-driven structure-based molecular generative model. Nat. Mach. Intell. 6, 326–337 (2024).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yi, J. et al. OptADMET: a web-based tool for substructure modifications to improve ADMET properties of lead compounds. Nat. Protoc. 19, 1105–1121 (2024).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yang, C. et al. Glucose-responsive microneedle patch for closed-loop dual-hormone delivery in mice and pigs. Sci. Adv. 8, eadd3197 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, B. et al. Accelerating ionizable lipid discovery for mRNA delivery using machine learning and combinatorial chemistry. Nat. Mater. 23, 1002–1008 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jiang, Z. et al. AI-guided design of antimicrobial peptide hydrogels for precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections. Adv. Mater. 37, 2500043 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • McIntyre, D., Lashkaripour, A., Fordyce, P. & Densmore, D. Machine learning for microfluidic design and control. Lab Chip 22, 2925–2937 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Brion, D. A. & Pattinson, S. W. Generalisable 3D printing error detection and correction via multi-head neural networks. Nat. Commun. 13, 4654 (2022).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, B. et al. Artificial intelligence-assisted high-throughput screening of printing conditions of hydrogel architectures for accelerated diabetic wound healing. Adv. Funct. Mater. 32, 2201843 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Bannigan, P. et al. Machine learning models to accelerate the design of polymeric long-acting injectables. Nat. Commun. 14, 35 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Sarmadi, M. et al. Modeling, design, and machine learning-based framework for optimal injectability of microparticle-based drug formulations. Sci. Adv. 6, eabb6594 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y. et al. Machine learning-based identification of a psychotherapy-predictive electroencephalographic signature in PTSD. Nat. Ment. Health. 1, 284–294 (2023).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Stephansen, J. B. et al. Neural network analysis of sleep stages enables efficient diagnosis of narcolepsy. Nat. Commun. 9, 5229 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y. et al. Identification of psychiatric disorder subtypes from functional connectivity patterns in resting-state electroencephalography. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 5, 309–323 (2021).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lai, J. et al. Practical intelligent diagnostic algorithm for wearable 12-lead ECG via self-supervised learning on large-scale dataset. Nat. Commun. 14, 3741 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Johnson, L. et al. Artificial intelligence for direct-to-physician reporting of ambulatory electrocardiography. Nat. Med. 31, 925–931 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, J. et al. Thin, soft, wearable system for continuous wireless monitoring of artery blood pressure. Nat. Commun. 14, 5009 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, S. et al. Monitoring blood pressure and cardiac function without positioning via a deep learning-assisted strain sensor array. Sci. Adv. 9, eadh0615 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Cao, K. et al. Large-scale pancreatic cancer detection via non-contrast CT and deep learning. Nat. Med. 29, 3033–3043 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zheng, H.-D. et al. Deep learning-based high-accuracy quantitation for lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration from MRI. Nat. Commun. 13, 841 (2022).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lu, L., Dercle, L., Zhao, B. & Schwartz, L. H. Deep learning for the prediction of early on-treatment response in metastatic colorectal cancer from serial medical imaging. Nat. Commun. 12, 6654 (2021).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Tu, T. et al. Towards conversational diagnostic artificial intelligence. Nature 642, 442–450 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Nimri, R. et al. Insulin dose optimization using an automated artificial intelligence-based decision support system in youths with type 1 diabetes. Nat. Med. 26, 1380–1384 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Castañeda, J. et al. Predictors of time in target glucose range in real-world users of the MiniMed 780G system. Diabetes Obes. Metab. 24, 2212–2221 (2022).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Tyler, N. S. et al. An artificial intelligence decision support system for the management of type 1 diabetes. Nat. Metab. 2, 612–619 (2020).

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yang, J. et al. Masticatory system-inspired microneedle theranostic platform for intelligent and precise diabetic management. Sci. Adv. 8, eabo6900 (2022).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yang, Y. et al. Artificial intelligence-enabled detection and assessment of Parkinson’s disease using nocturnal breathing signals. Nat. Med. 28, 2207–2215 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Jiang, Y. et al. Identification of four biotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy via machine learning on brain images. Nat. Commun. 15, 2221 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ouyang, W. et al. A wireless and battery-less implant for multimodal closed-loop neuromodulation in small animals. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 7, 1252–1269 (2023).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Qu, J. et al. Multifunctional hydrogel electronics for closed-loop antiepileptic treatment. Sci. Adv. 10, eadq9207 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zheng, X. T. et al. Battery-free and AI-enabled multiplexed sensor patches for wound monitoring. Sci. Adv. 9, eadg6670 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Mage, P. et al. Closed-loop control of circulating drug levels in live animals. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 1, 0070 (2017).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Shao, J. et al. Printable personalized drug delivery patch for the topical therapy of skin diseases. Matter 6, 158–174 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Sheng, T. et al. Unmanned aerial vehicle mediated drug delivery for first aid. Adv. Mater. 35, 2208648 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Cao, Q. et al. Robotic wireless capsule endoscopy: recent advances and upcoming technologies. Nat. Commun. 15, 4597 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wei, X. An artificial cilia-based array system for sound frequency decoding and resonance-responsive drug release. Nat. Biomed. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-025-01505-6 (2025). This paper describes a bioinspired cilia-based capsule device for acoustic resonance-responsive drug delivery.

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Landers, F. C. et al. Clinically ready magnetic microrobots for targeted therapies. Science 390, 710–715 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yang, L. et al. Autonomous environment-adaptive microrobot swarm navigation enabled by deep learning-based real-time distribution planning. Nat. Mach. Intell. 4, 480–493 (2022).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Muiños-Landin, S., Fischer, A., Holubec, V. & Cichos, F. Reinforcement learning with artificial microswimmers. Sci. Robot. 6, eabd9285 (2021).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ren, E. et al. Water-stable magnetic lipiodol micro-droplets as a miniaturized robotic tool for drug delivery. Adv. Mater. 37, 2412187 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kriegman, S., Blackiston, D., Levin, M. & Bongard, J. A scalable pipeline for designing reconfigurable organisms. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 117, 1853–1859 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zou, J. & Schiebinger, L. AI can be sexist and racist—it’s time to make it fair. Nature 559, 324–326 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, R. J. et al. Algorithmic fairness in artificial intelligence for medicine and healthcare. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 7, 719–742 (2023).

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Majedi, F. S. et al. Systemic enhancement of antitumour immunity by peritumourally implanted immunomodulatory macroporous scaffolds. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 7, 56–71 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Hagan, C. T. IV et al. 3D printed drug-loaded implantable devices for intraoperative treatment of cancer. J. Control. Release 344, 147–156 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Stephan, S. B. et al. Biopolymer implants enhance the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy. Nat. Biotechnol. 33, 97–101 (2015).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Shi, J. et al. Lyophilized lymph nodes for improved delivery of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Nat. Mater. 23, 844–853 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, G. et al. Transdermal cold atmospheric plasma-mediated immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 117, 3687–3692 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, Z. et al. Bioorthogonal catalytic patch. Nat. Nanotechnol. 16, 933–941 (2021).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, H. et al. Scattered seeding of CAR T cells in solid tumors augments anticancer efficacy. Natl Sci. Rev. 9, nwab172 (2022).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chang, H. et al. Cryomicroneedles for transdermal cell delivery. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 5, 1008–1018 (2021).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Bansal, A., Yang, F., Xi, T., Zhang, Y. & Ho, J. S. In vivo wireless photonic photodynamic therapy. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 115, 1469–1474 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Yamagishi, K. et al. Tissue-adhesive wirelessly powered optoelectronic device for metronomic photodynamic cancer therapy. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 3, 27–36 (2019).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, T. T. et al. Automated insulin delivery in women with pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes. New Engl. J. Med. 389, 1566–1578 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Abramson, A. et al. A luminal unfolding microneedle injector for oral delivery of macromolecules. Nat. Med. 25, 1512–1518 (2019).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Srinivasan, S. S. et al. RoboCap: Robotic mucus-clearing capsule for enhanced drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Sci. Robot. 7, eabp9066 (2022).

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Koo, J. et al. Wirelessly controlled, bioresorbable drug delivery device with active valves that exploit electrochemically triggered crevice corrosion. Sci. Adv. 6, eabb1093 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Topol, E. J. & Iwasaki, A. Operation nasal vaccine—lightning speed to counter COVID-19. Sci. Immunol. 7, eadd9947 (2022).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ye, T. et al. Inhaled SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for single-dose dry powder aerosol immunization. Nature 624, 630–638 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Mei, X. et al. An inhaled bioadhesive hydrogel to shield non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat. Mater. 22, 903–912 (2023).

    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Rouphael, N. G. et al. The safety, immunogenicity, and acceptability of inactivated influenza vaccine delivered by microneedle patch (TIV-MNP 2015): a randomised, partly blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial. Lancet 390, 649–658 (2017).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Sheng, T. et al. Microneedle-mediated vaccination: innovation and translation. Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 179, 113919 (2021).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Vander Straeten, A. et al. A microneedle vaccine printer for thermostable COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Nat. Biotechnol. 42, 510–517 (2024). This paper reports an automated process for printing MNP COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in a standalone device.

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Feiner, R. et al. Engineered hybrid cardiac patches with multifunctional electronics for online monitoring and regulation of tissue function. Nat. Mater. 15, 679–685 (2016).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, K. et al. Microneedle drug eluting balloon for enhanced drug delivery to vascular tissue. J. Control. Release 321, 174–183 (2020).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Park, B.-W. et al. In vivo priming of human mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocyte growth factor–engineered mesenchymal stem cells promotes therapeutic potential for cardiac repair. Sci. Adv. 6, eaay6994 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Gao, L. et al. Large cardiac muscle patches engineered from human induced-pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiac cells improve recovery from myocardial infarction in swine. Circulation 137, 1712–1730 (2018).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Shi, H. et al. Microneedle-mediated gene delivery for the treatment of ischemic myocardial disease. Sci. Adv. 6, eaaz3621 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Xu, G. et al. Battery-free and wireless smart wound dressing for wound infection monitoring and electrically controlled on-demand drug delivery. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2100852 (2021).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Liu, M. et al. Biomimicking antibacterial opto-electro sensing sutures made of regenerated silk proteins. Adv. Mater. 33, 2004733 (2021).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lee, K. et al. A patch of detachable hybrid microneedle depot for localized delivery of mesenchymal stem cells in regeneration therapy. Adv. Funct. Mater. 30, 2000086 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Wu, X., Huang, D., Xu, Y., Chen, G. & Zhao, Y. Microfluidic templated stem cell spheroid microneedles for diabetic wound treatment. Adv. Mater. 35, 2301064 (2023).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Li, W. et al. Rapidly separable microneedle patch for the sustained release of a contraceptive. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 3, 220–229 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Mofidfar, M., O’Farrell, L. & Prausnitz, M. R. Pharmaceutical jewelry: Earring patch for transdermal delivery of contraceptive hormone. J. Controlled Release 301, 140–145 (2019).

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kirtane, A. R. et al. A once-a-month oral contraceptive. Sci. Transl. Med. 11, eaay2602 (2019).

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Zhang, Y. et al. An ultra-long acting insulin enables glucose-synchronised release. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.12.681846 (2025). This work demonstrates integration of insulin pump and glucose-responsive insulin for dual-closed-loop regulation.

  • Zhang, Y. et al. Millimetre-scale bioresorbable optoelectronic systems for electrotherapy. Nature 640, 77–86 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kandel, S. et al. Demonstration of an AI-driven workflow for autonomous high-resolution scanning microscopy. Nat. Commun. 14, 5501 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Han, J. et al. Long-acting IL-2 release from pressure-fused biomineral tablets promotes antitumor immune response. Nat. Cancer 6, 1384–1399 (2025).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Rosenstock, J. et al. Efficacy and safety of ITCA 650, a novel drug-device GLP-1 receptor agonist, in type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with oral antidiabetes drugs: the FREEDOM-1 trial. Diabetes Care 41, 333–340 (2018).

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular

    Recent Comments