چکیده (انگلیسی):

This paper reviews miniaturized drug delivery systems applying osmotic principles for pumping. Osmotic
micropumps require no electrical energy and consequently enable drug delivery systems of smallest size
for a broad field of new applications. In contrast to common tablets, these pumps provide constant (zeroorder)
drug release rates. This facilitates systems for long term use not limited by gastrointestinal transit
time and first-pass metabolism. The review focuses on parenteral routes of administration targeting drug delivery
either in a site-specific or systemic way. Osmotic pumps consist of three building blocks: osmotic
agent, solvent, and drug. This is used to categorize pumps into (i) single compartment systems using water
from body fluids as solvent and the drug itself as the osmotic agent, (ii) two compartment systems employing
a separate osmotic agent, and (iii) multi-compartment architectures employing solvent, drug and osmotic
agent separately. In parallel to the micropumps, relevant applications and therapies are discussed.