Medical device with controlled reservoir opening

• US 20050149000A1
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Achim Gopferich, John T. Santini Jr, Michael J. Cima, Robert S. Langer
• Original Assignee: Achim Gopferich, John T. Santini Jr, Michael J. Cima, Robert S. Langer
• Inventors: Cima, Michael J., Santini, John T. Jr., Langer, Robert S., Gopferich, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• 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 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• 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: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• 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: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: C25F 5/00 Electrolytic stripping of metallic layers or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C25F 7/00 Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic removal of material from objects for both electrolytic coating and removal C25D; Servicing or operating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical

Abstract

Reservoir-based medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a substrate; at least two discrete, microfabricated reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the substrate; discrete reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs; and control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to open the reservoirs. The reservoirs of the device can include a diagnostic reagent or other molecules useful in medical diagnostics. In one embodiment, the reservoir cap comprises an anode and the control circuitry comprises a cathode and a power source for creating an electric potential between the cathode and the anode. Application of the electric potential causes the reservoir cap to disintegrate, thereby opening the reservoir.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a substrate;

at least two discrete, microfabricated reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the substrate;

discrete reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs; and

control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to open the reservoirs.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoirs comprise molecules useful in medical diagnostics.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the molecules comprise a diagnostic reagent.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the molecules are bioactive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises silicon.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises two or more layers or portions bonded together.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the substrate comprises layers of silicon, glasses, ceramics, semiconductors, metals, polymers, or a combination thereof.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a biosensor.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir caps comprise a metal film.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir cap comprises an anode and the control circuitry comprises a cathode and a power source for creating an electric potential between the cathode and the anode.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein reservoir opening is controlled by a signal from a biosensor or by a preprogrammed microprocessor.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a cathode, a microprocessor, a timer, a demultiplexer, and a power source, wherein at least one reservoir cap is an anode, and wherein application of an electric potential between the cathode and anode causes at least one of the reservoir caps to disintegrate.

13. The device of claim 1, which is adapted for implantation into a patient.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoirs comprise drug molecules.

15. A device for use in medical diagnostics comprising:

a substrate;

at least two discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the substrate;

a diagnostic reagent disposed in the reservoirs;

discrete reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs; and

control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to open the reservoirs.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the substrate comprises two or more layers or portions bonded together.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the substrate comprises layers of silicon, glasses, ceramics, semiconductors, metals, polymers, or a combination thereof.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir caps comprise a metal film.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir cap comprises an anode and the control circuitry comprises a cathode and a power source for creating an electric potential between the cathode and the anode.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein reservoir opening is controlled by a signal from a biosensor or by a preprogrammed microprocessor.

21. A medical device comprising:

a substrate;

at least two discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the substrate;

discrete reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs; and

control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to open the reservoirs,

wherein the reservoir cap disintegration comprises dissolving into solution, or forming soluble ions or oxidation compounds, upon application of an electric potential generated by the control circuitry.

22. The medical device of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry comprises a cathode and a power source, wherein at least one reservoir cap is an anode, and wherein application of an electric potential between the cathode and anode causes at least one of the reservoir caps to disintegrate.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the reservoirs comprise molecules useful in medical diagnostics.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the molecules comprise a diagnostic reagent.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the reservoirs comprise drug molecules.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the reservoirs are microfabricated, at least one of the reservoirs contains drug or diagnostic molecules, and the device is adapted for implantation into a patient.