ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR RELEASE OF DRUGS, PROTEINS, AND OTHER ORGANIC OR INORGANIC CHEMICALS

• US 20090216176A1
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pinchas Gilad
• Original Assignee: Pinchas Gilad
• Inventors: Gilad, Pinchas
• Granted Patent: US 7,981,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites

Abstract

A device for drug release including a drug reservoir including a gate, wherein opening of the gate releases a drug stored in the drug reservoir, an electronic command and control (C & C) unit in communication with the gate that produces a gate bias voltage and time profile supplied to the gate for controlling opening of the gate, and a power source for supplying power to the electronic command and control unit.

Claims

1. A device for drug release comprising:

a drug reservoir comprising a gate, wherein opening of said gate releases a drug stored in said drug reservoir;

an electronic command and control (C &

C) unit in communication with said gate that produces a gate bias voltage and time profile supplied to said gate for controlling opening of said gate; and

a power source for supplying power to said electronic command and control unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gate comprises an external electrode formed with at least one exit pore, an internal electrode, an insulating layer that insulates between said external and internal electrodes, and a field enhancing member that extends into said at least one exit pore.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said field enhancing member is a rod.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said field enhancing member is a cone.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said gate further comprises an additional electrode located between said external and internal electrodes, and insulated from said external and internal electrodes by insulating layers.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one exit pore has a diameter from 200 nm to 5 micrometers.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said internal electrode is formed with at least one feed hole larger in diameter than said at least one exit pore.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one feed hole has a diameter of 10-50 microns.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic C &

C unit comprises a charging element for said power-source and a communication circuit tuned to said external C &

C unit.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic C &

C unit is programmable to provide a delivery routine in accordance with an individual patient response.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gate operates as a reversible pump, wherein a first polarity of said gate bias voltage causes ejection of molecules from said drug reservoir, and a second polarity of said gate bias voltage causes molecules external to said drug reservoir to be sucked into said drug reservoir.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gate bias voltage suppresses molecular flow of fluids into said device.

13. The device according to claim 5, wherein said additional electrode is biased separately relative to said external and internal electrodes.