Controlled needle-free transport
First Claim
1. A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body comprising:
- a reservoir for storing the substance;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir; and
a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir, the actuator comprising;
a stationary magnet assembly providing a magnetic field; and
a coil assembly, slidably disposed with respect to the magnet assembly, the coil assembly receiving an electrical input and generating in response a force corresponding to the received input, the force resulting from interaction of an electrical current within the coil assembly and the magnetic field and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body comprising:
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a reservoir for storing the substance;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir; and
a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir, the actuator comprising;
a stationary magnet assembly providing a magnetic field; and
a coil assembly, slidably disposed with respect to the magnet assembly, the coil assembly receiving an electrical input and generating in response a force corresponding to the received input, the force resulting from interaction of an electrical current within the coil assembly and the magnetic field and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body comprising:
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a reservoir for storing the substance;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir; and
a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir, the actuator receiving an electrical input and generating in response a force proportional to the received input, the force causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body and being variable responsive to variations in the received input during actuation.
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20. A method for transferring a substance across a surface of a body comprising the steps of:
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applying an electrical input to a controllable electromagnetic actuator;
producing with the electromagnetic actuator a mechanical force corresponding to the electrical input;
applying the mechanical force to a reservoir coupled at one end to a nozzle, the mechanical force producing a pressure within the reservoir, a magnitude of the pressure varying with the mechanical force and causing transfer of the substance across the surface of the body; and
varying the applied electrical input to produce a corresponding variation in the applied mechanical force. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of treating a disease comprising:
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piercing with a needle-free transdermal transport device a surface of a body;
collecting with the needle-free transdermal transport device a sample from the body;
determining dosage of an active compound responsive to the collected sample;
transferring with the needle-free transdermal transport device the determined dosage of active compound to the body. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body comprising:
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means for providing an electrical input to an electromagnetic actuator;
means for producing with the electromagnetic actuator a mechanical force proportional to the electrical input;
means for applying the mechanical force to a reservoir coupled at one end to a nozzle, the mechanical force producing a pressure within the reservoir, a magnitude of the pressure varying with the mechanical force and causing transfer of the substance across the surface of the biological body.
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Specification