IMPLANTABLE VOLTAIC CELL
First Claim
1. A voltaic cell for use in the body of a subject comprising:
- a biologically inert shell defining an inner compartment, said inner compartment containing an ionic solution that mediates a reduction reaction, said shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being in contact with said ionic solution;
a cathodic environment within said shell in contact with said ionic solution;
an anodic environment attached to said outer surface of said shell, in contact with bodily fluid wherein said anode accepts electrons from an oxidation reaction with at least one oxidizable biological material in said bodily fluid;
a connector connecting said anodic environment and said cathodic environment;
a component that provides resistance disposed along said connector between said anode and said cathode; and
at least one salt bridge disposed within said shell permitting passage of ions between said inner compartment and said bodily fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a voltaic cell for implantation into the body of a subject that oxidizes oxidizable biological material to generate current to do work. The voltaic cell comprises a biologically inert shell having an inner compartment containing a cathodic environment and an anodic environment on the outer surface of the shell that is in contact with bodily fluid. A connector connects the anodic environment to the cathodic environment and has a component that provides resistance between the anodic and cathodic environments. The shell contains at least one salt bridge disposed within the shell that permits passage of small ions between the inner compartment and the bodily fluid, thereby completing the circuit. The invention also provides devices such as a glucometer which continuously detects glucose and transmits a signal to an external device which provides an output, such as blood glucose level. Methods of using the same are also provided.
16 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A voltaic cell for use in the body of a subject comprising:
a biologically inert shell defining an inner compartment, said inner compartment containing an ionic solution that mediates a reduction reaction, said shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being in contact with said ionic solution; a cathodic environment within said shell in contact with said ionic solution; an anodic environment attached to said outer surface of said shell, in contact with bodily fluid wherein said anode accepts electrons from an oxidation reaction with at least one oxidizable biological material in said bodily fluid; a connector connecting said anodic environment and said cathodic environment; a component that provides resistance disposed along said connector between said anode and said cathode; and at least one salt bridge disposed within said shell permitting passage of ions between said inner compartment and said bodily fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 55, 56)
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8. The voltaic cell of claim S wherein said polypeptide is prostate-specific antigen or a cancer-specific polypeptide.
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32. An implantable glucometer comprising a first component and a second component, said first component comprising:
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a biologically inert, shell defining an inner compartment, said inner compartment containing an ionic solution that mediates a reduction reaction, said shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being in contact with said ionic solution; a cathodic environment within said shell in contact with said ionic solution; an anodic environment on said outer surface of said shell, in contact with bodily fluid wherein said anodic environment accepts electrons from an oxidation reaction of glucose in said bodily fluid; a connector connecting said anodic environment and said cathodic environment; a component that provides resistance disposed along said connector between said anodic environment and said cathodic environment; and at least one salt bridge disposed within said shell connecting said inner compartment and an outside portion of said shell; said second component comprising a detection device, wherein said detection device detects a signal from said first device and provides a value that correlates with blood glucose level in said subject. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
wherein said first device comprises a glucometer of claim 32; and wherein said second device detects current and provides an indication of blood glucose level in said subject.
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53. The method of claim 52 wherein said second device is an amperemeter.
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54. The method of claim 52 wherein said component that provides resistance is a radio emitter and said second device is a radio receiver.
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57. A voltaic cell for use in the body of a subject comprising:
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a biologically inert shell defining an inner compartment, said inner compartment containing a solution that mediates an oxidation reaction, said shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being in contact with said solution; an anodic environment within said shell wherein said anodic environment comprises electron donors, antioxidants or active reductants; a cathodic environment on said outer surface of said shell, in contact with bodily fluid; a connector connecting said anodic environment and said cathodic environment; a component that provides resistance disposed along said connector between said anode and said cathode; and at least one salt bridge disposed within said shell permitting passage of ions between said inner compartment and said bodily fluid. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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Specification