Apparatus and method for delivering beneficial liquids at steady rate
US8061280B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2931
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber. The apparatus features steady rate performance without refreshing the water chamber and low temperature sensitivity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.