MEMS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

• US 20110144619A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Southern California
• Original Assignee: University of Southern California
• Inventors: MENG, Ellis, Agrawal, Rajat, Tai, Yu-Chong, Kuwahara, Kenrick, Shih, Jason, Rodger, Damien, Lo, Ronalee, Li, Po-Ying, Chen, Po-Jui, Humayun, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US13/026,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• 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 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• 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 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/155 pressurised by gas introduced into the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16877 Adjusting flow; Devices for setting a flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00119 Arrangement of basic structures like cavities or channels, e.g. suitable for microfluidic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 2201/019 Bonding or gluing multiple substrate layers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0088 Implanted devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0005 : Lift valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0034 : Operating means specially adapted for microvalves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0057 : the fluid being the circulating fluid itself, e.g. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49236 : Fluid pump or compressor making

Abstract

Embodiments of an implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient include a reservoir configured to contain a liquid comprising the therapeutic agent, and a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir. A valve for maintaining a constant flow rate through the cannula independent of the pressure applied to the device may be included.

Claims

1. An implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, the device comprising:

a reservoir for a liquid;

a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir, the cannula having an outlet configured for fluid communication with the patient; and

a valve for maintaining a constant flow rate through the cannula independent of pressure applied to the device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprises a first wall puncturable by a needle to facilitate refilling of the reservoir.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first wall reseals itself upon removal of the needle.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the reservoir further comprises a second wall which is generally unpuncturable by the needle.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cannula outlet is insertable into the patient.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the valve is at the end of the cannula.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the cannula is parylene.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second electrodes and circuitry for activating the electrodes; and

a flexible membrane disposed above the electrodes and defining a wall of the reservoir, the membrane being configured to expand and contract with increases and decreases in pressure, activation of the electrodes causing creation of a gas to thereby expand the membrane so that liquid is forced from the reservoir into the cannula.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the membrane has a series of corrugations facilitating expansion and contraction thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reservoir comprises a first wall, and further comprising the step of puncturing the first wall by a needle to facilitate refilling of the reservoir, the first wall resealing itself upon removal of the needle.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the constant flow is maintained by a valve.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the valve is disposed at the end of the cannula.

9-1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient from a drug pump implanted in the patient, the drug pump comprising a reservoir and a cannula, the method comprising the steps of:

pumping a therapeutic liquid to a body site from the reservoir through the cannula; and

maintaining a constant flow rate of the liquid through the cannula independent of the pressure applied to the drug pump.