IMPLANTABLE OXYGEN GENERATOR AND TRANSPORTER
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.
18 Citations
58 Claims
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1-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a small molecule generator comprising an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes, wherein; a first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules, a second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules, and the set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir; a small molecule diffusor, wherein at least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules; and a cannula impermeable to the small molecules and comprising a lumen, wherein the lumen connects the small molecule generator to the small molecule diffusor. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
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spreading a first material on half molds, the first material being permeable to a class of small molecules upon curing; partially curing the first material on the half molds to create partially cured material halves; aligning, joining, and further curing one of the partially cured material halves with another one of the partially cured material halves to create an integrally formed workpiece, wherein the workpiece comprises a chamber and a reservoir that is separated from the chamber by a membrane made with the cured first material, wherein the workpiece further comprises a cannula and an oxygen diffusor that is connected to the first chamber via the cannula; inserting a set of electrodes in the reservoir and a metal tube in the cannula; and depositing a second material on the chamber, reservoir, and the cannula after the placing of the set of electrodes and the metal tube, the second material being impermeable to the small molecules upon curing.
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58. A method of using an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
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providing an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device comprises a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula, wherein the small molecule generator is impermeable to a predetermined class of molecules and comprises an electrolyte reservoir containing electrolyte and a set of electrodes, wherein the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules, and wherein the cannula connects the small molecule generator to the small molecule diffusor; placing the small molecule diffusor inside an eyeball; placing the small molecule generator between a conjunctiva and sclera of the eyeball; and attaching the small molecule generator to the sclera.
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Specification