ELECTRODE ARRAYS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME

• US 20110082413A1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Kepple, Kirsten LeAnn, Ready, William Judson
• Granted Patent: US 8,774,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

Described herein are improved electrode array devices and improved active agent delivery devices. Further described are methods of making and using the improved devices. An improved electrode array device includes a substrate and a plurality of probes disposed on the substrate, wherein the probes are formed from a plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes that are not encapsulated by a structure-providing material. An active agent delivery device includes a substrate having an aperture therein, an active agent delivery member disposed on a first surface of the substrate and having an aperture therein, and an active agent chamber disposed on a second surface of the substrate configured to deliver an active agent through the aperture of the substrate and the aperture of the active agent delivery member.

Claims

1. An electrode array device, comprising:

a substrate; and

a plurality of probes disposed on the substrate, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes comprises a plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes, wherein the plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes are not encapsulated by a structure-providing material, and wherein there is a gradient in a height of the carbon nanotubes such that each probe of the plurality of probes has a saw-toothed profile.

2. The electrode array device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical contacts, each of which are independently disposed between a probe of the plurality of probes and the substrate.

3. The electrode array device of claim 1, further comprising a processing component in electrical communication with at least one probe of the plurality of probes.

4. The electrode array device of claim 1, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes is electrically isolated from one another.

5. The electrode array device of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes of each probe of the plurality of probes are functionalized to increase the density of the carbon nanotubes.

6. The electrode array device of claim 5, wherein the carbon nanotubes of each probe of the plurality of probes are functionalized with poly-L-lysine.

7. The electrode array device of claim 5, wherein the carbon nanotubes of each probe of the plurality of probes are functionalized with a laminin.

8-14. -14. (canceled)

15. An active agent delivery device, comprising:

a substrate having an aperture therein;

an active agent delivery member disposed on a surface of the substrate and having an aperture therein, wherein the active agent delivery member comprises a plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes, and wherein the aperture of the active agent delivery member and the aperture of the substrate are substantially coaxial; and

means for delivering an active agent through the aperture of the substrate, the aperture of the active agent delivery member, and gaps between the aligned carbon nanotubes.

16. An active agent delivery device, comprising:

a substrate having an aperture therein;

an active agent delivery member disposed on a first surface of the substrate and having an aperture therein, wherein the active agent delivery member comprises a plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes, and wherein the aperture of the active agent delivery member and the aperture of the substrate are substantially coaxial; and

an active agent chamber disposed on a second surface of the substrate configured to deliver an active agent through the aperture of the substrate, the aperture of the active agent delivery member, and gaps between the aligned carbon nanotubes.

17. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, further comprising a processing component in electrical communication with the active agent chamber.

18. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, further comprising a processing component in electrical communication with the active agent delivery member.

19. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, further comprising an electrical contact, disposed between at least a portion of the active agent delivery member and at least a portion of the substrate.

20. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes of are functionalized to increase the density of the carbon nanotubes.

21. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes are functionalized with poly-L-lysine.

22. The active agent delivery device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes are functionalized with a laminin.

23. An active agent delivery device, comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of apertures therein;

a plurality of active agent delivery members disposed on a first surface of the substrate, wherein each active agent delivery member of the plurality of active agent delivery members has an aperture therein, wherein each active agent delivery member of the plurality of active agent delivery members comprises a plurality of aligned carbon nanotubes, and wherein each aperture of an active agent delivery member is substantially coaxial with an aperture of the substrate; and

an active agent chamber disposed on a second surface of the substrate configured to deliver an active agent through at least one aperture of the substrate, at least one active agent delivery member aperture, and gaps between the aligned carbon nanotubes of at least one active agent delivery member.