Method and apparatus for activating molecules to stimulate neurological tissue

• US 20020042638A1
• Filed: 06/14/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wayne State University
• Original Assignee: Wayne State University
• Inventors: Auner, Greg, McAllister, Patrick, Iezzi, Raymond, Abrams, Gary W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue

Abstract

A drug delivery system includes a plurality of sites, a fluid channel for delivering a drug to one of the plurality sites, and a light channel for delivering light to an area near one of the plurality of sites. The fluid channel is a micro fluidic channel and the light channel is a wave guide. The light channel may also be a fiber optic cable. The light channel directs light at the fluid channel wherein light from the light channel does not substantially exit to the major surface. The drug delivery system selectively delivers drugs to various types of neurologic cells. In operation a solution of a photoactivatable neuro-active drug is delivered to a preselected area in vivo and photoactivated in the solution at the preselected area to stimulate neurological tissue. The neuro-active drug could be an antagonist or agonist of neuronal activity.

Claims

1. A drug delivery system comprising:

a plurality of sites;

a fluid channel for delivering a drug to one of the plurality sites;

a light channel for delivering light to an area near one of the plurality of sites.

2. The drug delivery system of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel is a micro fluidic channel.

3. The drug delivery system of claim 1 wherein the light channel is a wave guide.

4. The drug delivery system of claim 1 wherein the light channel is a fiber optic cable.

5. The drug delivery system of claim 1 wherein the light channel includes a fiber optic cable and a wave guide.

6. The drug delivery system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the drug delivery system is housed on a chip.

7. The drug delivery system of claim 6 wherein the light channel intersects the fluid channel.

8. The drug delivery system of claim 6 wherein the chip further comprises:

a major surface; and

a minor surface, wherein the sites are on one of the major surfaces;

the fluid channel adapted to deliver fluid to a site on the major surface and wherein the light channel directs light at the fluid channel wherein light from the light channel does not substantially exit to the major surface.

9. The drug delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a light source.

10. The drug delivery system of claim 9 further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the major surface of the chip.

11. The drug delivery system of claim 9 further comprising a digital light processor;

the digital light processor receiving an input and outputting light in response to the input.

12. The drug delivery system of claim 11 wherein the input to the digital light processor is an RF signal.

13. The drug delivery system of claim 11 wherein the digital light processor is adapted for subcutaneous use.

14. The drug delivery system of claim 10 further comprising electrodes positioned near a site.

16. The chip of claim 15 further comprising an electrode positioned near the duct at the major surface.

17. The chip of claim 15 wherein the wave guide terminates at an angle to reflect light toward the duct.

19. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of fluid channels are micro fluidic channels.

20. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of light guides are wave guides.

21. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of light guides are fiber optic cables.

22. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of light guides include a fiber optic cable portion and a wave guide portion.

23. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of sites are located on a chip.

24. The drug delivery system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of sites are located on a chip having a major surface, the light guides intersect the plurality of fluid channels, wherein light from the light guide does not substantially exit to the major surface.

25. The drug delivery system of claim 24 further comprising a link adapted to be positioned within a body, said light channels being attached to the optical link.

26. The drug delivery system of claim 24 further comprising a trans-cutaneous optical link adapted to be positioned on the surface of a body.

27. The drug delivery system of claim 24 further comprising an RF link adapted to be positioned within a body.

28. The drug delivery system of claim 24 further comprising:

a camera;

a computer operatively coupled to the camera, the computer converting a video input from the camera to an output; and

a link for receiving the computer output and converting the output to a series of light pulses for passing through selected ones of the plurality of light guides at selected times.

15. A chip comprising:

a major surface;

a minor surface;

a duct in fluid communication with the major surface; and

a wave guide which intersects the duct, wherein light from the wave guide does not substantially exit to the major surface.

18. A drug delivery system comprising:

a plurality of sites;

a plurality of fluid channels for delivering a drug to the plurality sites, wherein at least one of the fluid channels is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of sites;

a plurality of light guides operatively coupled with each of the plurality of fluid channels.

29. A drug delivery device comprising:

means for delivery of a solution of a photoactivatable neuro-active drug to a preselected area in vivo; and

a device for photo activating said drug in said solution at said preselected area.

30. A drug delivery device comprising:

means for delivery of a plurality of units of solution of a photoactivatable neuro-active drug to a plurality of preselected areas in vivo; and

means for photo activating at least a portion of the units of said drug at least a portion of said preselected areas.

31. The drug delivery device of claim 30 wherein the neuro-active drug could be an antagonist or agonist of neuronal activity.

32. The drug delivery device of claim 30 wherein the activated drug could be an antagonist or agonist of neuronal activity.

33. A method for delivering drugs comprising:

providing a solution including caged molecules;

delivering caged molecules to a site; and

selectively uncaging a selected portion of the caged molecules.

35. The drug delivery device of claim 34 made of biocompatible material and adapted to be positioned proximate neurological tissue.

36. The drug delivery device of claim 34 wherein the first fluid reservoir includes a first photoactivable neuro-active drug and wherein the second fluid reservoir includes a second photoactivable neuro-active drug.

37. The drug delivery device of claim 34 wherein the first subset of the plurality of fluid channels form a pattern at the plurality of sites.

38. The drug delivery device of claim 34 wherein the first subset of the plurality of fluid channels form a pattern at the plurality of sites and wherein the second subset of the plurality of fluid channels form a pattern at the plurality of sites;

for delivery of a plurality of units of solution of a photoactivatable neuroactive drug to a plurality of preselected areas in vivo; and

means for photolytically activating at least a portion of the units of said drug at least a portion of said preselected areas.

34. A drug delivery device comprising:

a substrate further comprising

a plurality of sites;

a plurality of fluid channels for delivering a drug to one of the plurality sites;

a light channel for delivering light to an area near one of the plurality of sites;

a first reservoir in fluid communication with a first subset of the plurality of fluid channels; and

a second reservoir in fluid communication with a first subset of the plurality of fluid channels.