Real-Time Monitoring Platform for Ocular Drug Delivery

Real-time measurement is important in modern dissolution testing to aid in parallel drug characterisation and quality control (QC). The development of a real-time monitoring platform (microfluidic system, a novel eye movement platform with temperature sensors and accelerometers and a concentration probe setup) in conjunction with an in vitro model of the human eye (PK-Eye™) is reported. The importance of surface membrane permeability when modelling the PK-Eye™ was determined with a “pursing model” (a simplified setup of the hyaloid membrane). Parallel microfluidic control of PK-Eye™ models from a single source of pressure was performed with a ratio of 1:6 (pressure source:models) demonstrating scalability and reproducibility of pressure-flow data. Pore size and exposed surface area helped obtain a physiological range of intraocular pressure (IOP) within the models, demonstrating the need to reproduce in vitro dimensions as closely as possible to the real eye. Variation of aqueous humour flow rate throughout the day was demonstrated with a developed circadian rhythm program. Capabilities of different eye movements were programmed and achieved with an in-house eye movement platform. A concentration probe recorded the real-time concentration monitoring of injected albumin-conjugated Alexa Fluor 488 (Alexa albumin), which displayed constant release profiles. These results demonstrate the possibility of real-time monitoring of a pharmaceutical model for preclinical testing of ocular formulations.