Thermally-activated microchip chemical delivery devices
US6669683B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/0677
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Microchip delivery devices are provided that control both the rate and time of release of molecules. In one embodiment, an implantable microchip device is provided for the controlled delivery of drug molecules into a patient comprising at least one substrate; a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate; a release system which includes drug molecules for release, the release system being provided in each of the reservoirs; a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs over the release system, the reservoir cap comprising a material that undergoes a phase change in response to a change in temperature; and a heating means capable of selectively causing the phase change independently in each reservoir cap, to release the molecules from the reservoirs. The reservoirs can contain multiple drugs or other molecules in variable dosages. Each of the reservoirs of a single microchip can contain different molecules and/or different amounts and concentrations, which can be released independently.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.