Injectable controlled release fluid delivery system

• US 20090227988A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC A Limited Liability Corporation of The State of Delaware
• Inventors: Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Gates, William H. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,067,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• 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: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Embodiments of a material delivery device including a deformable reservoir and associated controllable output mechanism are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a material delivery device may be placed in an animal in order to controllably dispense at least one material into the animal. The material delivery device may include a programmable mechanism to control the release of the material into the animal. In selected embodiments, a remote controller may be used to program or to control the material delivery device. Some embodiments are described wherein a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.

Claims

1-265. -265. (canceled)

266. A method of delivering at least one material to an animal, comprising:

injecting at least one material delivery device into an in vivo environment of the animal, the at least one material delivery device including at least one deformable reservoir configured to receive, retain and controllably dispense the at least one material, and including at least one outlet, and at least one controllable output mechanism operably linked to the at least one outlet; and

delivering a quantity of the at least one material into the at least one deformable reservoir;

wherein the at least one controllable output mechanism dispenses the at least one material in response to at least one control signal.

267. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one deformable reservoir further comprises at least one inlet mechanism for receiving external delivery of a material.

273. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material delivery device includes RFID circuitry.

275. The method of claim 266, wherein the animal is a human.

276. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material delivery device further comprises at least one sensor, at least one timer, or at least one counter.

278. The method of claim 276, wherein the at least one sensor is located on the at least one material delivery device.

281. The method of claim 278, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a quantity of the at least one material in the at least one deformable reservoir.

288. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material delivery device further comprises hardware, firmware or software configured to control the at least one controllable output mechanism.

292. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material delivery device further comprises at least one electronic memory location for recording information.

299. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one controllable output mechanism includes a MEMS device or a NEMS device.

301. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one controllable output mechanism includes at least one thermally, magnetically, electrically or electromagnetically responsive material.

327. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one control signal is provided by at least one remote controller.

328. The method of claim 327, wherein the at least one remote controller comprises at least one of hardware, firmware, or software configured to control transmission of the at least one control signal.

347. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material comprises at least one therapeutic agent.

349. The method of claim 266, wherein the at least one material is a fluid.

350. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent comprises an therapeutically immunogenic amount of at least one vaccine.

356. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-infective agent.

357. The method of claim 356, wherein the at least one anti-infective agent includes at least one anti-viral agent.

358. The method of claim 356, wherein the at least one anti-infective agent includes at least one anti-microbial agent.

362. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to treat malaria.

364. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to treat tuberculosis.

365. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to treat leschmaniasis.

366. The method of claim 347, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to treat cholera.

375. The method of claim 266, wherein the animal is a mammal.

268-272. -272. (canceled)

274. (canceled)

277. (canceled)

279-280. -280. (canceled)

282-287. -287. (canceled)

289-291. -291. (canceled)

293-298. -298. (canceled)

300. (canceled)

302-326. -326. (canceled)

329-346. -346. (canceled)

348. (canceled)

351-355. -355. (canceled)

359-361. -361. (canceled)

363. (canceled)

367-374. -374. (canceled)

376-380. -380. (canceled)

381. A method of delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an animal comprising:

injecting a material delivery device into an in vivo environment of the animal;

the material delivery device including at least one deformable reservoir configured to receive, retain and controllably release a therapeutic agent, and including at least one outlet; and

at least one controllable output mechanism operably linked to the at least one outlet;

delivering a quantity of at least one therapeutic agent into the at least one deformable reservoir; and

transmitting an electromagnetic control signal to sufficient to activate the at least one controllable output mechanism to cause a release of a portion of the at least one therapeutic agent from the at least one deformable reservoir.

382. (canceled)