Nanochanneled Device and Related Methods

• US 20100152699A1
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Hudson, Lee, Medema, Ryan, Fine, Daniel, Ferrari, Mauro, Liu, Xuewu, Grattoni, Alessandro, Goodall, Randy, Hosali, Sharath
• Granted Patent: US 8,480,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0097 Micromachined devices; Microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]; Devices obtained by lithographic treatment of silicon; Devices comprising chips intradermal microneedle arrays A61K9/0021; MEMS in general B81B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/00 Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests vaccination appliances for veterinary use A61D1/025 ; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; combinations of vial and syringe for mixing or transferring their contents A61J1/20; holders for containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2203/0338 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00119 Arrangement of basic structures like cavities or channels, e.g. suitable for microfluidic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]

Abstract

A nanochannel delivery device and method of manufacturing and use. The nanochannel delivery device comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a nanochannel. The nanochannel may be oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device. The inlet and outlet may be in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.

Claims

1. A nanochannel delivery device comprising:

an inlet microchannel;

a nanochannel; and

an outlet microchannel, wherein the inlet microchannel and the outlet microchannel are in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.

2. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 1 wherein the nanochannel is oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device.

3. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 1, wherein a flow path from the inlet microchannel to the nanochannel to the outlet microchannel requires a maximum of two changes in direction.

4. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 1, wherein the inlet microchannel has a length, a width, and a depth;

wherein the outlet microchannel has a length, a width, and a depth;

wherein the nanochannel has a length, a width, and a depth;

wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to the inlet microchannel length is between 0.01 and 10.0; and

wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to the outlet microchannel length is between 0.01 and 10.0.

6. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 4 wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to either the inlet microchannel length or the outlet microchannel length is between 0.2 and 5.0.

7. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 4 wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to either the inlet microchannel length or the outlet microchannel length is between 0.3 and 3.0.

8. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 4 wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to either the inlet microchannel length or the outlet microchannel length is between 0.4 and 2.0.

9. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 4 wherein the ratio of the nanochannel length to either the inlet microchannel length or the outlet microchannel length is between 0.5 and 1.0.

11. The nanochannel delivery device of claim 4 wherein the inlet microchannel is in direct fluid communication with the outlet microchannel via a single nanochannel.

26. An apparatus comprising a first the nanochannel delivery device of claim 1 inserted into a capsule.

5. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

12. A nanochannel delivery device comprising:

an inlet microchannel;

a nanochannel;

an outlet microchannel; and

a fluid flow path from the inlet microchannel to the outlet microchannel, wherein the fluid flow path requires a maximum of two changes in direction.

13-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A nanochannel delivery comprising:

a substantially planar body comprising a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;

a nanochannel disposed within the substantially planar body;

an inlet microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel; and

an outlet microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel, wherein the inlet microchannel extends from the nanochannel to the first surface and wherein the outlet microchannel extends from the nanochannel to second surface.

16. A nanochannel delivery device comprising:

a plurality of inlet microchannels;

a plurality of nanochannels; and

a plurality of outlet microchannels, wherein each inlet microchannel is in direct fluid communication with an outlet microchannel via a single nanochannel.

17-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A nanochannel delivery device comprising:

a substantially planar body including;

a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the length and the width are each greater than the thickness;

an inlet surface on a first side of the substantially planar body, wherein the inlet surface is bounded by the length and the width of the substantially planar body;

and an outlet surface on a second side of the substantially planar body, wherein the outlet surface is bounded by the length and the width of the substantially planar body, and wherein the inlet surface is substantially parallel with the outlet surface;

a nanochannel disposed within the substantially planar body, wherein the nanochannel comprises an inlet end and an outlet end;

an inlet microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel; and

an outlet microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel, wherein the inlet microchannel and nanochannel are configured such that a first linear axis can extend between the inlet surface and the inlet end of the nanochannel.

21-25. -25. (canceled)

27-58. -58. (canceled)

59. A method of fabricating a nanochannel delivery device, the method comprising:

providing a first substrate;

forming a plurality of nanochannels in the first substrate;

forming a plurality of inlet microchannels in the nanochannels of the first substrate;

providing a second substrate;

forming a plurality of outlet microchannels in the second substrate; and

coupling the second substrate to the first substrate, wherein each inlet microchannel is in direct fluid communication with a nanochannel.

60-69. -69. (canceled)

70. A method of fabricating a nanochannel delivery device, the method comprising:

providing first substrate;

forming a plurality of nanochannels on the first substrate;

filling in the plurality of nanochannels with a first sacrificial material;

forming a plurality of inlet microchannels in the first substrate;

filling in the plurality of inlet microchannels with a second sacrificial material;

forming a capping layer that covers the plurality of nanochannels;

forming a plurality of outlet microchannels in the capping layer;

removing the first sacrificial material from the plurality of nanochannels; and

removing the second sacrificial material from the plurality of inlet microchannels.

71-96. -96. (canceled)

97. A method of fabricating a nanochannel delivery device, the method comprising:

providing a first substrate;

forming a plurality of nanochannels on a first side of the first substrate;

filling in the plurality of nanochannels with a sacrificial material;

coupling an initial capping layer to the first side of the first substrate;

forming a plurality of inlet microchannels in the capping layer;

preparing a second substrate with a bonding layer;

coupling the second substrate to a second side of the first substrate;

removing a first portion of the second substrate;

providing an additional capping layer to the second substrate;

forming a plurality of outlet microchannels in the second substrate; and

removing the sacrificial material to open the plurality of nanochannels.

98-121. -121. (canceled)

122. A nanochannel delivery device comprising:

a plurality of inlet microchannels, wherein each of the inlet microchannels has a length, a width, and a depth, and wherein the inlet microchannel length is greater than the inlet microchannel width and depth;

a plurality of outlet microchannels, wherein each of the outlet microchannels has a length, a width, and a depth;

a plurality of nanochannels in fluid communication with the plurality of inlet microchannels and outlet microchannels, wherein;

the plurality of inlet microchannels are arranged so that the inlet microchannel width and depth define a first plane that is parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device; and

the plurality of outlet microchannels are arranged so that the outlet microchannel width and depth define a second plane that is parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device.

123. A method of treating a condition of a person, the method comprising:

providing a nanochannel delivery device as described herein;

providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the nanochannel delivery device;

providing a substance in the reservoir, wherein the substance is configured to treat the condition; and

administering the substance to the person via the nanochannel delivery device.

124-126. -126. (canceled)