Devices and methods for cutaneous delivery of a composition are provided,
wherein the composition is passed through an ordered nanoporous membrane
in fluid communication with a reservoir. The nanoporous membrane includes
a plurality of aligned hollow nanotubules coated with a continuous
polymer matrix, and etched to open the plurality of hollow nanotubules
and form pores. In one embodiment, the etching step oxidizes an end of
the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups. The ordered nanoporous
membrane further includes at least one additional functional unit bound
to the carboxylate groups. The at least one additional functional unit
selectively exposes or at least partially occludes the pore of an
adjacent nanotubule, thereby controlling flux rate through the membrane.
In one embodiment, application of an electrical impulse to the membrane
causes the at least one additional functional unit to selectively expose
or at least partially occlude the pore.