1. The PerioChip

2. INTRODUCTION
The PerioChip is a controlled-release drug delivery system that delivers the antiseptic chlorhexidine into the sub gingival environment, maintaining effective levels of the drug for 6–9 days while simultaneously biodegrading.
This unique delivery system is patented in Israel, the United States, 13 European countries, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In the 1970s it became clear that the sub gingival environment was not accessible to antibacterial agents delivered to the oral cavity in the form of toothpastes and mouthwashes owing to their limited ability to penetrate into the sub gingival environment .
Irrigation of the pockets with antibacterial agents was found to be clinically ineffective probably owing to the rapid washout of the drugs to ineffective levels.
This led to the development of devices that could be introduced into periodontal pockets and that would deliver their active antibacterial ingredients over an extended period of time

4. At the beginning of studies the strategic decision was made to develop a fixed- dimension delivery platform in the form of a film/slab containing fixed amount of API.
This device was an ethylcellulose film, cast from ethanol or chloroform solutions of the polymer, with a plasticizing agent and the appropriate drug incorporated into the solution.
A number of antibacterial agents, including chlorhexidine, minocycline, and tetracycline ,were tested in this platform and their degree of effectiveness in altering the sub gingival microflora established.
Further strategic decision was made to develop a biodegradable platform.
Maintaining the same physical form for ease of use, a biodegradable platform would reduce the number of patient treatment visits needed and improve patient compliance compared to a nondegradable platform.

5. DESCRIPTION OF PERIOCHIP
The device is in the form of a film consisting of a degradable matrix of crosslinked hydrolyzed gelatin 350 µm thick and measuring 4 mm in width and 5 mm in length.
One end is rounded for ease of insertion.
It weighs 7.4 mg and contains 2.5 mg of chlorhexidine digluconate.
It must be stored at around 4°C and has a shelf life of 2 years.

6. The PerioChip has a number of unique features when compared to other available technologies for the controlled subgingival delivery of drugs.
These include:
It is marketed as a fixed-unit dosage for individual subgingival sites.
The placement of the device is extremely simple, taking only a few seconds.
It is the only subgingival delivery platform whose active ingredient is an antiseptic (chlorhexidine), eradicating the possible adverse effects associated with the use of antibiotics.
Its degradability.

8. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY
The platform of the PerioChip provides the technology of delivering any drug that can be included in the PerioChip formulation to the subgingival environment.
Drugs that can be used for the treatment of periodontal diseases include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agents and drugs that may influence bone resorption.
A chip that can provide the controlled release of nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs to the subgingival environment is being developed.