Thermally-activated microchip chemical delivery devices
First Claim
1. An implantable microchip device for the controlled delivery of drug molecules into a patient comprising:
- at least one substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a release system which includes drug molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs;
a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and
a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microchip delivery devices are provided that control both the rate and time of release of molecules. In one embodiment, an implantable microchip device is provided for the controlled delivery of drug molecules into a patient comprising at least one substrate; a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate; a release system which includes drug molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs; a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs. The reservoirs can contain multiple drugs or other molecules in variable dosages. Each of the reservoirs of a single microchip can contain different molecules and/or different amounts and concentrations, which can be released independently.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An implantable microchip device for the controlled delivery of drug molecules into a patient comprising:
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at least one substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a release system which includes drug molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs;
a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and
a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for the controlled delivery of a drug to a patient comprising:
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implanting into a patient a microchip device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system which includes drug molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs, a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system wherein the reservoir cap comprises a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature, and a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap; and
selectively activating the heating means to heat at least one of the reservoir caps in an amount effective to cause a phase change in, and removal of, said at least one reservoir cap to release the drug molecules from at least one corresponding reservoir and into the patient. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A microchip device for the controlled release of molecules in vitro in analytical chemistry or medical diagnostics comprising:
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at least one substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a release system which includes molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs, and the molecules for release comprising a diagnostic agent or a reagent in a reaction for an analytical procedure or medical diagnostic procedure;
a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and
a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. A microchip device for the controlled release of molecules in vitro comprising:
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at least one substrate;
a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate;
a release system which includes molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs, and the molecules for release comprising perfumes, fragrances, dyes, coloring agents, or sweeteners;
a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and
a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs.
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47. A method for the controlled release of molecules in vitro comprising:
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providing at a site in vitro a microchip device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system which includes vaporizable molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs, a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system wherein the reservoir cap comprises a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature, and a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap;
selectively activating the heating means to heat at least one of the reservoir caps in an amount effective to cause a phase change in, and substantial removal of, said at least one reservoir cap; and
vaporizing the vaporizable molecules to release the molecules from at least one corresponding reservoir to said site.
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Specification