DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORM INCORPORATING HYDROGEL PUMPING MECHANISM WITH GUIDED FLUID FLOW

• US 20100030156A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Beebe, David J., Moga, Benjamin J., Chase, Kent, Escarcega, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/182
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence

Abstract

A drug delivery platform is provided for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual. The drug delivery platform includes a reservoir for receiving the drug therein and a hydrogel engageable with the reservoir. The hydrogel is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the hydrogel exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom in response to a predetermined stimulus. A flow guide distributes the predetermined stimulus over the hydrogel in response to activation by an individual.

Claims

1. A drug delivery platform for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual, comprising:

a reservoir for receiving the drug therein;

a hydrogel engageable with the reservoir, the hydrogel movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the hydrogel exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom in response to exposure of the hydrogel to an activation fluid;

a storage structure housing the activation fluid;

an activation mechanism movable between a first position wherein the activation fluid is fluidicly isolated from the hydrogel and second position wherein the activation fluid is in fluidic communication with the hydrogel; and

a flow guide for guiding the activation fluid from the storage structure to the hydrogel with the activation mechanism in the second position.

3. The drug delivery platform of claim 1 wherein the flow guide includes an input.

4. The drug delivery platform of claim 3 wherein the actuation mechanism includes an initiation conduit having an input and output, the input of the initiation conduit communicating with the activation fluid and the output of the initiation conduit communicating with the input of the flow guide with the activation mechanism in the second position.

5. The drug delivery platform of claim 4 further comprising a barrier between the storage structure and the hydrogel, the barrier defining the flow guide.

6. The drug delivery platform of claim 5 wherein the flow guide includes a channel network formed in the barrier.

7. The drug delivery platform of claim 6 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of circular, concentric channels.

8. The drug delivery platform of claim 7 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of generally straight channels extending radially from a common point, the straight channels intersecting at least one of the plurality of concentric, circular channels.

9. The drug delivery platform of claim 7 wherein the flow guide includes a recessed surface formed in the barrier, the recessed surface extending about the plurality of circular, concentric channels.

10. The drug delivery platform of claim 6 wherein the flow guide includes a fluid diverter, the fluid diverter directing fluid from the input of the flow guide to the channel network.

16. The drug delivery platform of claim 6 further comprising a fluid diverter projecting from the recessed surface, the fluid diverter directing fluid to the input of the channel network.

2. (canceled)

11. A drug delivery platform for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual, comprising:

an initiation fluid;

a storage structure for housing the initiation fluid;

a reservoir for receiving the drug therein;

a hydrogel engageable with the reservoir, the hydrogel movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the hydrogel exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom in response to exposure to the initiation fluid;

a channel network having an input and being in communication with the hydrogel; and

an actuation mechanism movable between a non-actuated position wherein the hydrogel is fluidicly isolated from the initiation fluid and an actuated position wherein the initiation fluid is communicates with the input of the channel network.

12. The drug delivery platform of claim 11 wherein the actuation mechanism includes an initiation conduit having an input and output, the input of the initiation conduit communicating with the initiation fluid and the output of the initiation conduit communicating with the input of the channel network with actuation mechanism in the actuated position.

13. The drug delivery platform of claim 11 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of circular, concentric channels.

14. The drug delivery platform of claim 13 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of generally straight channels extending radially from a common point, the straight channels intersecting at least one of the plurality of concentric, circular channels.

15. The drug delivery platform of claim 11 wherein the barrier includes a recessed surface formed therein, the recessed surface extending about the plurality of circular, concentric channels.

17. A drug delivery platform for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual, comprising:

a reservoir for receiving the drug therein;

an expansion structure positioned adjacent the reservoir, the expansion structure movable between a first configuration and an expanded second configuration wherein the expansion structure exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom in response to exposure to a predetermined stimulus;

a storage structure for housing the predetermined stimulus;

an actuation mechanism movable between a non-actuated position wherein the predetermined stimulus housed in the storage structure is fluidicly isolated from the expansion structure and an actuated position wherein the predetermined stimulus housed in the storage structure communicates with the expansion structure; and

a flow guide for guiding the predetermined stimulus to the expansion structure in response to the actuation mechanism moving to the actuated position

18. The drug delivery platform of claim 17 wherein the expansion structure includes a hydrogel that expands in response to the predetermined stimulus.

19. The drug delivery platform of claim 18 wherein the predetermined stimulus is a fluid.

20. The drug delivery platform of claim 19 further comprising an initiation fluid wherein the actuation mechanism includes an initiation conduit having an input and output, the input of the initiation conduit communicating with the initiation fluid and the output of the initiation conduit communicating with an input of the flow guide in response to the actuation mechanism moving to the actuated position.

21. The drug delivery platform of claim 17 wherein the flow guide includes a channel network formed therein.

22. The drug delivery platform of claim 21 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of circular, concentric channels.

23. The drug delivery platform of claim 22 wherein the channel network includes a plurality of generally straight channels extending radially from a common point, the straight channels intersecting at least one of the plurality of concentric, circular channels.

24. The drug delivery platform of claim 22 wherein the flow guide includes a recessed surface formed therein, the recessed surface extending about the plurality of circular, concentric channels.

25. The drug delivery platform of claim 21 wherein the flow guide includes a fluid diverter, the fluid diverter directing fluid from the input of the flow guide to the channel network.