Method and apparatus for activating molecules to stimulate neurological tissue
US6668190B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/0622
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A drug delivery system includes a plurality of sites, a fluid channel for delivering a drug to one of the plurality sites, and a light channel for delivering light to an area near one of the plurality of sites. The fluid channel is a micro fluidic channel and the light channel is a wave guide. The light channel may also be a fiber optic cable. The light channel directs light at the fluid channel wherein light from the light channel does not substantially exit to the major surface. The drug delivery system selectively delivers drugs to various types of neurologic cells. In operation a solution of a photoactivatable neuro-active drug is delivered to a preselected area in vivo and photoactivated in the solution at the preselected area to stimulate neurological tissue. The neuro-active drug could be an antagonist or agonist of neuronal activity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.