MEMS device and method for delivery of therapeutic agents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable electrolytic pump comprising:
- a drug chamber for containing a liquid to be administered;
a cannula in fluid communication with the chamber;
an electrolysis chamber comprising first and second electrodes;
circuitry configured for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes to facilitate electrolysis of a material in the electrolysis chamber to thereby produce a gas and force the liquid to flow from the drug chamber to the cannula; and
a catalyst in the electrolysis chamber for catalyzing recombination of the produced gas to form the material, thereby reversing the electrolysis;
wherein the circuitry is further configured to apply a small trickle charge to the first and second electrodes to prevent reversing the electrolysis and hold the pump in place.
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Abstract
Embodiments of an implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient include a reservoir configured to contain a liquid comprising the therapeutic agent, and a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cannula is shaped to facilitate insertion thereof into a patient'"'"'s eyeball.
296 Citations
18 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; an electrolysis chamber comprising first and second electrodes; circuitry configured for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes to facilitate electrolysis of a material in the electrolysis chamber to thereby produce a gas and force the liquid to flow from the drug chamber to the cannula; and a catalyst in the electrolysis chamber for catalyzing recombination of the produced gas to form the material, thereby reversing the electrolysis; wherein the circuitry is further configured to apply a small trickle charge to the first and second electrodes to prevent reversing the electrolysis and hold the pump in place. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent, 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) an electrolysis chamber comprising first and second electrodes, and (iv) circuitry for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes and for applying a small trickle charge to the first and second electrodes; applying the voltage to facilitate electrolysis of a material in the electrolysis chamber to cause creation of a gas and force the liquid to flow from the drug chamber through the cannula and thereby deliver the liquid; providing a catalyst in the electrolysis chamber for catalyzing recombination of the created gas to form the material, thereby reversing the electrolysis; and applying the small trickle charge to prevent reversing the electrolysis and hold the pump in place. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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Specification