Systems, devices, and methods including implantable devices with anti-microbial properties

• US 20120010481A1
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Goodall, Eleanor V., Hyde, Roderick A., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US12/931,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20120010481A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12

Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable implant configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent microbial growth or adherence to the implant.

Claims

1. A insertable device, comprising:

a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways;

one or more anti-microbial regions of the body structure including at least one anti-microbial agent reservoir, the reservoir configured to release one or more anti-microbial agents to the one or more anti-microbial regions of the body structure.

2. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising control circuitry configured for controlling delivery of the at least one anti-microbial agent from the anti-microbial reservoir.

3. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor.

11. The insertable device of claim 3, further comprising one or more controllers.

12. The insertable device of claim 3, further comprising at least one transmitter.

15. The insertable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit one or more signals according to one or more schedules.

16. The insertable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit one or more signals in response to detection of at least one microbial component.

17. The insertable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit in response to the status of at least one of the level of anti-microbial agent in the reservoir, or release of the at least one anti-microbial agent from the reservoir.

19. The insertable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit one or more signals in response to one or more queries.

20. The insertable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit one or more encrypted signals.

21. The insertable device of claim 12, further comprising at least one receiver.

33. The insertable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more anti-microbial agents include at least one of electricity, optical energy, or plasmonic energy.

36. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising a power source.

41. The insertable device of claim 36, wherein the power source is configured to wirelessly receive power from a remote power supply.

42. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a battery, capacitor, or a mechanical energy store.

43. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising a power receiver configured to receive power from an ex vivo power source.

44. The insertable device of claim 1, further comprising a power receiver configured to receive power from an in vivo power source.

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