Device for release of chemical molecules using pressure-generated rupture of reservoirs

• US 20050124979A1
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John T. Santini Jr, Norman F. Sheppard, Jr.
• Original Assignee: John T. Santini Jr, Norman F. Sheppard, Jr.
• Inventors: Santini, John T. Jr., Sheppard, Norman F. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/039,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124979A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/890.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0002 General or multifunctional contrast agents, e.g. chelated agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0004 Osmotic delivery systems; Sustained release driven by osmosis, thermal energy or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0097 Micromachined devices; Microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]; Devices obtained by lithographic treatment of silicon; Devices comprising chips intradermal microneedle arrays A61K9/0021; MEMS in general B81B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00783 Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00819 Materials of construction
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00822 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00824 Ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00828 Silicon wafers or plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00831 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00833 : Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00835 : Comprising catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00844 : Comprising porous material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00853 : Employing electrode arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00873 : Heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00889 : Mixing micromixers B01F33/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00907 : using membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00925 : Irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00952 : Sensing operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00957 : Compositions or concentrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00966 : pH
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0097 : Optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00984 : Residence time
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00986 : Microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 : Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 : Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/049 : Valves integrated in closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 : Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 : Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 : Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 : phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00247 : Microvalves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49007 : Indicating transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation

Abstract

Devices are provided for controlled release of chemical molecules, such as drugs or diagnostic agents. The devices comprises a substrate; a plurality of discrete reservoirs located in the substrate, wherein the reservoirs each have at least one opening at a surface of the substrate; chemical molecules, for release, disposed in the reservoirs; a rupturable barrier layer closing the at least one opening; and a pressure generating material disposed in the reservoirs, the pressure generating material being selected from the group consisting of water-swellable materials, osmotic pressure generating materials, and combinations thereof, wherein the chemical molecules can be selectively released from each reservoir by rupturing of the barrier layer, due to pressure generated by the pressure generating material.

Claims

1. A device for controlled release of chemical molecules comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of discrete reservoirs located in the substrate, wherein the reservoirs each have at least one opening at a surface of the substrate;

chemical molecules, for release, disposed in the reservoirs;

a rupturable barrier layer closing the at least one opening; and

a pressure generating material disposed in the reservoirs, the pressure generating material being selected from the group consisting of water-swellable materials, osmotic pressure generating materials; and

combinations thereof,

wherein the chemical molecules can be selectively released from each reservoir by rupturing of the barrier layer, due to pressure generated by the pressure generating material.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each reservoir has a second opening which is closed by a second barrier layer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second barrier layer comprises a discrete reservoir cap.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a power source and control circuitry for disintegrating the reservoir cap.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the reservoir is separated between the two openings into a first space and a second space by a fluid-tight, flexible structure that allows a change in pressure within the first space to affect the pressure in the second space while maintaining separation of the contents of the first and second spaces.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first space is proximate the first opening and contains the chemical molecules for release and the second space is proximate the second opening and contains the pressure generating material.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second barrier layer comprises a semi-permeable barrier layer and the pressure generating material comprises an osmotic pressure generating material, and wherein pressure generated by the osmotic pressure generating material causes the first barrier layer to rupture to release the chemical molecules while the second barrier layer remains intact.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a reservoir cap covering the semi-permeable barrier layer.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a power source and control circuitry for disintegrating the reservoir cap.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure generating material and the chemical molecules are mixed together, and a semi-permeable layer is provided between the opening of the rupturable barrier layer and the mixture, and wherein pressure generated by the pressure generating material causes the semi-permeable layer and the rupturable barrier layer to both rupture to release the chemical molecules.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the rupturable barrier layer is a reservoir cap covering the semi-permeable barrier layer.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a power source and control circuitry for disintegrating the reservoir cap.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure generating material is a swellable polymer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the chemical molecules are selected from the group consisting of proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and cells.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the chemical molecules comprise organic molecules.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the chemical molecules comprise a diagnostic agent.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rupturing the barrier layer.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the rupturable barrier layer comprises a metal film.

19. The device of claim 1, which biocompatible and suitable for implantation into a patient.

20. A method for the controlled release of chemical molecules comprising:

providing the device of claim 1 at a site for release; and

generating pressure, with the pressure generating material, in at least one reservoir, effective to rupture the barrier layer covering the reservoir,

thereby opening the reservoir and permitting the release of the chemical molecules at the site.