METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVE CONTROL OF DRUG DELIVERY USING ELECTRO-OSMOTIC FLOW CONTROL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A micro-pump comprising:
- a housing defining at least a pumping chamber and a reservoir chamber, the pumping chamber and the reservoir chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, the pumping chamber containing at least a fluid-absorbing material, and the pumping chamber having a semi-permeable membrane to allow fluid flow into and out of the pumping chamber;
at least two electrodes located on opposite sides of the semi-permeable membrane with at least one of the electrodes located in the pumping chamber; and
a source connected to the at least two electrodes capable of supplying a zero average current, so that supplying the zero average current to the at least two electrodes causes in combination with the fluid absorbing material in the pumping chamber a net flow of fluid across the semi-permeable membrane and into the pumping chamber to deflect the flexible diaphragm.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A substance delivery apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the substance delivery apparatus comprise a housing defining a reservoir containing the substance. At least one micro-needle is operably connected to the reservoir. A micro-pump is fluidically connected to the reservoir so that when the micro-pump is activated, the substance is directed from the reservoir, through the at least one micro-needle.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A micro-pump comprising:
-
a housing defining at least a pumping chamber and a reservoir chamber, the pumping chamber and the reservoir chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, the pumping chamber containing at least a fluid-absorbing material, and the pumping chamber having a semi-permeable membrane to allow fluid flow into and out of the pumping chamber; at least two electrodes located on opposite sides of the semi-permeable membrane with at least one of the electrodes located in the pumping chamber; and a source connected to the at least two electrodes capable of supplying a zero average current, so that supplying the zero average current to the at least two electrodes causes in combination with the fluid absorbing material in the pumping chamber a net flow of fluid across the semi-permeable membrane and into the pumping chamber to deflect the flexible diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A substance delivery apparatus for delivering a substance to the posterior of an eye comprising:
-
a housing defining a reservoir containing the substance; at least one micro-needle operably connected to the reservoir suitable for insertion into the posterior of the eye; and a micro-pump fluidically connected to the reservoir so that when the micro-pump is activated, the substance is directed from the reservoir, through the at least one micro-needle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of constructing a substance delivery apparatus, the method comprising:
-
creating a mold of a housing defining a reservoir and one or more channels running from the reservoir to an outside edge of the housing; casting the housing using the mold; inserting a first end of one or more capillary tubes into the one or more channels; shaping a second end of the one or more capillary tubes to form a micro-needle; and loading a substance to be delivered into the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification