초록 ▼

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 substra

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.

대표청구항 ▼

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 substra

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. tion means for guiding said operator in achieving alignment of said ophthalmic instrument relative to said eye based on said signal information. 2. The alignment system according to claim 1, wherein said optical axis is coincident with said measurement axis. 3. The alignment system according to claim 1, wherein said ophthalmic instrument is a non-contact tonometer comprising a fluid discharge tube having a fluid passage in axial alignment with said measurement axis for directing a fluid pulse along said measurement axis toward said eye, and said fixation target image is projected through said fluid passage of said fluid discharge tube. 4. The alignment system according to claim 3, wherein said fixation target image is surrounded by a bright field for illuminating said eye to aid said operator in directly viewing said eye. 5. The alignment system according to claim 1, further comprising means for projecting an image of said display to said operator along said optical axis, whereby said image of said display is superimposed with a real image of said eye. 6. The alignment system according to claim 5, wherein said display includes a polar array of light emitting diodes for providing an X-Y alignment instruction, and said polar array surrounds said real image of said eye when said image of said display is superimposed with said real image of said eye. 7. The alignment system according to claim 5, wherein said means for projecting said visible fixation target image includes a first beamsplitter arranged on said optical axis and said means for projecting an image of said display includes a second beamsplitter arranged on said optical axis. 8. The alignment system according to claim 7, wherein beam displacement caused by said first beamsplitter is compensated by an opposite beam displacement caused by said second beamsplitter for light transmitted along said optical axis. 9. The alignment system according to claim 1, wherein said opto-electronic position detection means includes a first light source for illuminating said eye with a first beam of light along a first illumination axis, a second light source for illuminating said eye with a second beam of light along a second illumination axis different from said first illumination axis, a first quad-cell detector defining a first light-detecting area for receiving an image of said first light source, and a second quad-cell detector defining a second light-detecting area for receiving an image of said second light source. 10. In an ophthalmic instrument for enabling an operator to measure a parameter of an eye of a patient, said ophthalmic instrument having a measurement axis for alignment normal to a corneal pole of said eye and means for projecting a visible fixation target image along said measurement axis for viewing by said patient, the improvement comprising: an optical axis along which said operator directly views said eye; wherein said fixation target image is surrounded by a bright field for illuminating said eye to aid said operator in directly viewing said eye. 11. The improvement according to claim 10, wherein said optical axis is coincident with said measurement axis. 12. The improvement according to claim 10, wherein said ophthalmic instrument is a non-contact tonometer comprising a fluid discharge tube having a fluid passage in axial alignment with said measurement axis for directing a fluid pulse along said measurement axis toward said eye, and said fixation target image is projected through said fluid passage of said fluid discharge tube. pec Dichroic Cube Beamsplitters by Edmund Optics, http://www.edmundoptics.com/IOD/DisplayProduct.cfm?productid=2037, Aug. 30, 2001. Dichroic Prism Assembly by www.techexpo.com/WWW/richter/prisms.html, Jul. 10, 2001. VISIONS by Welch Allyn, Inc., Skaneateles Falls NY, circa Aug. 2001. WelchAllyn SureSight Autorefractor by WelchAllyn, Skaneateles Falls NY, 2001, p. i-26, circa Aug. 2001. Clinical Applications of the Shack-Hartmann Aberrometer by Larry N. Thibos, School of Optometry, Indiana Univ., Bloomington IN, 2001, p. 1-15, Jun. 5, 2001. Slit Lamps by www.nidek.com/sl.html, Jun. 4, 2001. Autorefractometer and AutoRef/Keratometer by www.nidek.com/arark.html, Jun. 4, 2001. Fundus Camera by http://www.nidek.com/fundus.html, Jun. 4, 2001. Corneal Topography and Imaging by Peter Fedor, et al., eMedicine Journal, Dec. 10, 2001, p. 1-9. About Axial PointSource Optics by http://panoptic.welchallyn.com/showme.html, May 16, 2001. CF-60UD 60 Degree Fundus Camera by Opto Electronica, 2001, p. 1-4, May 10, 2001. 37-channel adaptive system based on micromachined AM: dummy technical passport by , OKO Technologies, 2001, p. 1-8, Jun. 25, 2002. Nidek--OPD Scan by Nidek, www.nidek.com, Jun. 4, 2001. Germany's 20/10 perfect Vision Reports Wavefront Custom Ablation Results of Wave by VisionMonday.com, VisionMonday.com, 2001, May 8, 2001. SUPERVISION by Joyce Gramza, Popular Science, Mar. 2001. Application Note by E. Herijgers, et. al., Philips Semiconductors, p. 1-2. Feb. 18, 2000. Wavescope Products From Adaptive Optics, Sections 1, 4, 5, 8 by Karen Signorelli, Adaptive Optics, Jun. 4, 2001. Are You Ready for the Next Wave? by Brian R. Will, et. al., Opthalmology Management, Oct. 2000. A Quick Method for Analyzing Hartmann-Shack Patterns: Application to Refractive by Hamam, et. al., Journal of Refractive Surgery, vol. 16, Sep./Oct. 2000, p. S636-S642. Eye on Industry: Demand Surges for New Wavefront Diagnsotic Devices by Marilyn Haddrill, EW Opthalmology News, Sep. 2000, p. 1-5. The History and Methods of Ophthalmic wavefront Sensing by Howard C. Howland, et al., Journal of Refractive Surgery, vol. 16, Sep./Oct. 2000, p. S552-S553. Understanding Aberrations by Using Double-Pass Techniques by Pablo Artal, et. al., Journal of Refractive Surgery, vol. 16, Sep./Oct. 2000, p. S560-S562. Principles of Tscherning Aberrometry by Michael Mrochen, et. al., Journal of Refractive Surgery, vol. 16, Sep./Oct. 2000, p. S570-S57. The Spatially Resolved Optometer for Human Eyes by Larry N. Thibos, Small Business Technology Transfer Program, Phase 1 Grant Application, Nov. 1998.