Dexamethasone (DXM)?Coated Poly(lactic? <i>co</i> ?glycolic acid) (PLGA) Microneedles as an Improved Drug Delivery System for Intracochlear Biodegradable Devices

Uniform drug delivery techniques are challenging to develop for the inner ear due complexity of cochlear anatomy. A promising solution is use biodegradable polymers because continuous release therapeutics without introducing toxic compounds desirable. Using a microneedle approach lends polymeric capability be placed inside scala tympani, releasing drugs overtime. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microneedles prepared by dissolving dimethyl sulfoxide with either a) Rhodamine B, study profile in vitro, b) FM1-43, vivo, or c) dexamethasone (DXM), protect hair cell (HC) loss vivo. The B studies show that dye begins from within 30 min. ototoxicity assessment DXM-coated vitro shows significant reduction HC losses when compared control an ototoxic environment. In vivo data reduced hearing threshold animals treated DXM-infused microneedles, providing proof concept methodology developed. Drug-infused provide method deliver DXM over controlled periods time protecting cells, thus minimizing (HL).