BEEDLE: A Microneedle-Based Implant for Targeted Neurorestorative Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disorders—including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease—present significant therapeutic challenges due to their complex pathology and the limitations of current drug delivery systems. A major obstacle is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the passage of brain-healing compounds (neurorestorative agents), reducing their therapeutic potential. This paper introduces the Brain-Enhancing Embedded Device with Localized Efficiency (BEEDLE), a microneedle-based implant designed to overcome these limitations by enabling precise, sustained drug delivery to brain regions that support regeneration, such as the hippocampus and subventricular zone (neurogenic niches). BEEDLE bypasses the BBB, allowing direct administration of nerve growth–promoting molecules (neurotrophic factors), anti-aging cell-clearing drugs (senolytic agents), and neurotransmitter regulators (stabilizers) to promote the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis), strengthening of neural connections (synaptic plasticity), and the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). BEEDLE uses a phased-release mechanism featuring a rotating drug cartridge and microcontroller-regulated dosing to optimize outcomes while minimizing side effects. Preliminary validation through mechanical simulations confirms accurate drug targeting, with microneedle penetration and displacement tests showing minimal tissue damage. Computational models further support BEEDLE’s ability to control drug spread over time (time-dependent diffusion), highlighting its promise for precisely targeted brain repair. This study evaluates BEEDLE’s potential to transform treatment for TBI and other neurodegenerative diseases. By focusing drug delivery at the source of damage (localized biochemical intervention), BEEDLE offers a powerful alternative to traditional whole-body (systemic) treatments and current brain stimulation methods (neuromodulation). Future versions will aim to miniaturize the device, enhance drug packaging methods (encapsulation), and integrate biosensors for real-time adaptive dosing. Combining biomedical engineering, neuropharmacology, and electronic control, BEEDLE represents a scalable and customizable advance in long-term brain repair (neurorehabilitation).