Medical devices using electrosensitive gels
First Claim
1. A self-propelled drug delivery device responsive to an applied voltage and having a drug delivery container comprising:
- a. an aliquot of a drug;
b. a closed, flexible sack surrounding said drug;
c. a layer of expandable copolymer gel surrounding said flexible sack;
d. a permeable membrane surrounding said layer of expandable copolymer gel;
e. drug delivery electrode means operably coupled to said expandable copolymer gel to cause controllable contraction of said expandable copolymer gel when a voltage is applied to said electrode means; and
a flexible propulsion container attached to said drug delivery container;
said propulsion container including;
f. a two-compartment container having a first and a second compartment separated by a septum;
g. a flexible, inert filler in said first compartment;
h. an expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment;
i. a permeable membrane surrounding said expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment;
j . propulsion electrode means operably coupled to said expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment to cause controllable contraction of said expandable copolymer gel in said response to a voltage applied to said electrode means, resulting in flexing of said container and motion of said container through a surrounding fluid medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.
33 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A self-propelled drug delivery device responsive to an applied voltage and having a drug delivery container comprising:
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a. an aliquot of a drug;
b. a closed, flexible sack surrounding said drug;
c. a layer of expandable copolymer gel surrounding said flexible sack;
d. a permeable membrane surrounding said layer of expandable copolymer gel;
e. drug delivery electrode means operably coupled to said expandable copolymer gel to cause controllable contraction of said expandable copolymer gel when a voltage is applied to said electrode means; and
a flexible propulsion container attached to said drug delivery container;
said propulsion container including;
f. a two-compartment container having a first and a second compartment separated by a septum;
g. a flexible, inert filler in said first compartment;
h. an expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment;
i. a permeable membrane surrounding said expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment;
j . propulsion electrode means operably coupled to said expandable copolymer gel in said second compartment to cause controllable contraction of said expandable copolymer gel in said response to a voltage applied to said electrode means, resulting in flexing of said container and motion of said container through a surrounding fluid medium. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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Specification