Method for operating microchip reservoir device

• US 7,901,397 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Cima, Michael J., Santini, John T. Jr., Langer, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, QUYNH-NHU HOANG
• Application Number:
  US11/930,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20080051766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 604/19, 604/20, 604/93.01, 604/500, 604/501, 128/899, 137/67
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0097 Micromachined devices; Microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]; Devices obtained by lithographic treatment of silicon; Devices comprising chips intradermal microneedle arrays A61K9/0021; MEMS in general B81B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: C25F 5/00 Electrolytic stripping of metallic layers or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C25F 7/00 Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic removal of material from objects for both electrolytic coating and removal C25D; Servicing or operating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a device for the containment and controlled release or exposure of a chemical substance. The method includes (i) providing a device which includes a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs, at least one chemical substance stored in the reservoirs, a plurality of metal reservoir caps, each of which closes an opening of one of said reservoir caps, and power and electrode means for disintegrating each of said reservoir caps; and (ii) disintegrating at least one of said reservoir caps, using said power and electrode means, to expose or release the chemical substance, wherein said disintegration comprises using potentiostatic or galvanostatic control to a voltage potential at said at least one reservoir cap.

Claims

1. A method of operating a device for the containment and controlled release or exposure of a chemical substance, the method comprising:

providing a device which comprises;

a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs,

at least one chemical substance stored in the reservoirs,

a plurality of metal reservoir caps, each of which closes an opening of one of said reservoirs, and

power and electrode means for disintegrating each of said reservoir caps; and

disintegrating at least one of said reservoir caps, using said power and electrode means, to expose or release the chemical substance,

wherein said disintegration comprises using potentiostatic or galvanostatic control to control a voltage potential at said at least one reservoir cap.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical substance comprises a drug.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is implanted in a patient before said disintegrating at least one of said reservoir caps.