Microchip reservoir devices and facilitated corrosion of electrodes
US6773429B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/0244
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for enhancing corrosion of an electrode in a biocompatible fluid. The method comprises (1) placing a primary electrode and a counter electrode in an electroconductive biocompatible fluid to form an electrochemical cell; and (2) applying a time-varying potential, through the electrochemical cell, to the primary electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the primary electrode is metal and comprises a reservoir cap of a microchip device for the release of molecules or exposure of device reservoir contents. The potential preferably is characterized by a waveform having a maximum potential effectively anodic to meet or exceed the corrosion potential of the primary electrode. Also, the minimum potential preferably is effectively cathodic to be below the value where re-deposition of metal ions on the metal electrode can substantially occur, thereby corroding the metal electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.