ELECTROOSMOTIC PUMP APPARATUS AND METHOD TO DELIVER ACTIVE AGENTS TO BIOLOGICAL INTERFACES
First Claim
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1. An apparatus to deliver active agents to a biological interface, the apparatus comprising:
- a first reservoir to contain a first ionic solution;
a second reservoir to contain a second ionic solution;
a deformable third reservoir to contain an active agent; and
an activation device coupled to the first and second reservoirs in a manner to produce an ionic flow between the first and second ionic solutions and to further cause an osmotic solvent flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, the osmotic solvent flow into the second reservoir being capable to increase pressure inside the second reservoir in a manner that the increased pressure applies a compressive force to the third reservoir to expel at least some of the active agent contained therein.
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Abstract
A device uses electroosmotic assistance in the delivery of an active agent, such as drugs, to a biological interface. The active agent is delivered from a flexible impermeable reservoir by compressing the reservoir. The compression is caused by electroosmotically pumping fluid into a chamber that surrounds the reservoir, thereby increasing the pressure in the chamber. The increased pressure in the chamber causes the reservoir to compress and expel the active agent stored therein.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus to deliver active agents to a biological interface, the apparatus comprising:
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a first reservoir to contain a first ionic solution;
a second reservoir to contain a second ionic solution;
a deformable third reservoir to contain an active agent; and
an activation device coupled to the first and second reservoirs in a manner to produce an ionic flow between the first and second ionic solutions and to further cause an osmotic solvent flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, the osmotic solvent flow into the second reservoir being capable to increase pressure inside the second reservoir in a manner that the increased pressure applies a compressive force to the third reservoir to expel at least some of the active agent contained therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method to deliver an active agent to a biological interface using electroosmosis, the method comprising:
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providing a first ionic solution in a first reservoir;
providing a second ionic solution in a second reservoir;
providing an active agent in a third reservoir;
creating an osmotic flow of solvent from the first reservoir to the second reservoir; and
compressing the third reservoir to expel at least some of the active agent provided therein, in response to an increase in pressure in the second reservoir caused by the osmotic flow of solvent. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system to deliver an active agent to a biological interface using electroosmosis, the system comprising:
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first reservoir means for containing a first ionic solution;
second reservoir means for containing a second ionic solution;
third reservoir means for containing an active agent; and
activation means for creating an osmotic flow of solvent from the first reservoir means to the second reservoir means in a manner that compresses the third reservoir means to expel at least some of the active agent contained therein, in response to an increase in pressure in the second reservoir means caused by the osmotic flow of solvent. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification