MEMS device and method for delivery of therapeutic agents
First Claim
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1. An implantable electrolytic pump comprising:
- a drug chamber for containing a liquid to be administered;
a cannula in fluid communication with the chamber;
first and second electrodes and circuitry for activating the electrodes; and
a flexible membrane disposed above the electrodes, the membrane comprising a series of radially-concentric corrugations facilitating (a) expansion of the membrane from a substantially flat configuration to an inflated configuration with increases in pressure and (b) contraction of the membrane from the inflated configuration to the substantially flat configuration with decreases in pressure, activation of the electrodes causing creation of a gas within the chamber to thereby expand the membrane so that liquid is forced from the chamber into the cannula.
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Abstract
Embodiments of an implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid comprising the therapeutic agent and a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir. The device and related methods may provide such features as constant-flow operation, an electrolytic mode of pumping, and/or wireless communication.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An implantable electrolytic pump comprising:
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a drug chamber for containing a liquid to be administered; a cannula in fluid communication with the chamber; first and second electrodes and circuitry for activating the electrodes; and a flexible membrane disposed above the electrodes, the membrane comprising a series of radially-concentric corrugations facilitating (a) expansion of the membrane from a substantially flat configuration to an inflated configuration with increases in pressure and (b) contraction of the membrane from the inflated configuration to the substantially flat configuration with decreases in pressure, activation of the electrodes causing creation of a gas within the chamber to thereby expand the membrane so that liquid is forced from the chamber into the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a pump comprising (i) a drug chamber containing a liquid to be administered, (ii) a cannula in fluid communication with the chamber, (iii) first and second electrodes, and (iv) a flexible membrane disposed above the electrodes, the membrane comprising a series of radially-concentric corrugations facilitating (a) expansion of the membrane from a substantially flat configuration to an inflated configuration with increases in pressure and (b) contraction of the membrane from the inflated configuration to the substantially flat configuration with decreases in pressure; placing the cannula in fluid communication with the patient; and energizing the electrodes to cause creation of a gas within the chamber to thereby expand the membrane so that liquid is forced from the chamber through the cannula and is administered to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification