Method for making device for controlled reservoir opening by electrothermal ablation
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a device for the controlled exposure or release of molecules or secondary devices, comprising:
- forming a plurality of reservoirs in a substrate;
capping openings in said reservoirs with electrically conductive reservoir caps;
forming in operable connection with each reservoir cap an electrical input lead and an electrical output lead; and
connecting said electrical input and output leads to an electrical current supply and distribution means capable of selectively passing an electrical current through each reservoir cap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents, and methods of manufacture thereof, are provided. The device includes a reservoir cap formed of an electrically conductive material, which prevents the reservoir contents from passing out from the device and prevents exposure of the reservoir contents to molecules outside of the device; an electrical input lead connected to said reservoir cap; and an electrical output lead connected to said reservoir cap, such that upon application of an electrical current through the reservoir cap, via the input lead and output lead, the reservoir cap ruptures to release or expose the reservoir contents. The reservoir contents can comprise a release system containing drug molecules for release or can comprise a secondary device, such as a sensor. The controlled release system may be incorporated into an implantable drug delivery or biosensing device.
134 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating a device for the controlled exposure or release of molecules or secondary devices, comprising:
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forming a plurality of reservoirs in a substrate; capping openings in said reservoirs with electrically conductive reservoir caps; forming in operable connection with each reservoir cap an electrical input lead and an electrical output lead; and connecting said electrical input and output leads to an electrical current supply and distribution means capable of selectively passing an electrical current through each reservoir cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of fabricating an implantable medical device for the controlled release of drug or for the controlled exposure of a biosensor, comprising:
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forming a plurality of microreservoirs in a substrate, which comprises silicon; capping openings in said microreservoirs with reservoir caps formed of at least one metal layer; forming in operable connection with each reservoir cap an electrical input lead and an electrical output lead; and connecting said electrical input and output leads to an electrical current supply and distribution means capable of selectively passing an electrical current through each reservoir cap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of fabricating a reservoir device, comprising:
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providing a silicon substrate; depositing at least one first metal layer on the silicon substrate in a pattern of an electrical input lead and an electrical output lead; depositing at least one second metal layer on the silicon substrate to form a reservoir cap that is continuous with, or has intermetallic junction with, the electrical input lead and the electrical output lead; etching a reservoir into the silicon substrate, forming an opening in the silicon which is covered by the reservoir cap, wherein the electrical input and output leads are in electrical connection with the reservoir cap and suited for selectively conducting an electrical current through the reservoir cap. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification