Photo-Triggering of the Membrane Gates in Photo-Responsive Polymer for Drug Release

Abstract

The use of light stimulus for triggering drug is a promising method for accurate drug delivery. A new approach using azopolymer membrane and laser holography was investigated for developing light-triggering drug delivery system. Polymeric drug delivery system was prepared by covering azopolymer membrane on a drug agent. Holographic laser interference generated surface relief grating pattern on the azopolymer surface. The widths and depths of gates on the polymer membrane were easily modified by adjusting incident angle and irradiation time. Ar laser made the polymeric membrane permeable to the drug agent and release it in a solution. This result indicated that the azopolymer and laser holography would provide a strong foundation for the light-triggering drug delivery system.