Thermally-activated reservoir devices
First Claim
1. A method for controlled reservoir opening comprising:
- providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises;
at least one substrate which comprises a glass, a ceramic, silicon, a semiconductor, a polymer, or a combination thereof,a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate,a plurality of discrete reservoir caps, each of which covers one of the reservoirs, andmolecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and
selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to cause said reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture the reservoir cap, thereby opening the reservoir.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are provided for controlled reservoir opening, including the steps of (a) providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir caps each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and (b) selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir. In another embodiment, the method steps include (a) implanting into a patient a biocompatible device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir caps each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and (b) selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir.
118 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlled reservoir opening comprising:
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providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises; at least one substrate which comprises a glass, a ceramic, silicon, a semiconductor, a polymer, or a combination thereof, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoir caps, each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to cause said reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture the reservoir cap, thereby opening the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlled reservoir opening of a device in vivo comprising:
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implanting into a patient a biocompatible device which comprises; at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoir caps, each of which comprises a metal film and covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification