초록 ▼

Methods are provided for controlled reservoir opening, including the steps of (a) providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir caps each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside th

Methods are provided for controlled reservoir opening, including the steps of (a) providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir caps each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and (b) selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir. In another embodiment, the method steps include (a) implanting into a patient a biocompatible device which comprises at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir caps each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and (b) selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method for controlled reservoir opening comprising: providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises: at least one substrate which comprises a glass, a ceramic, silicon, a semiconductor, a polymer, or a combination thereof, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a pl

We claim: 1. A method for controlled reservoir opening comprising: providing a biocompatible implantable device which comprises: at least one substrate which comprises a glass, a ceramic, silicon, a semiconductor, a polymer, or a combination thereof, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoir caps, each of which covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to cause said reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture the reservoir cap, thereby opening the reservoir. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservoir cap comprises a metal film. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecules are drug molecules. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the drug molecules are released from the device in a pulsatile manner. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecules are distributed in a matrix formed of a degradable material. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible implantable device further comprises a microprocessor, a power source, and an input source, which cooperate to control the heating of the reservoir cap. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the input source comprises a memory source, a signal receiver, or a biosensor. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the biosensor is integrated into the device and capable of detecting molecules in a fluid surrounding the device. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecules in the closed reservoir are in a solid form. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservoir caps comprise gold or platinum. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating the reservoir cap comprises use of a thin film resistor. 12. A method for controlled reservoir opening of a device in vivo comprising: implanting into a patient a biocompatible device which comprises: at least one substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoir caps, each of which comprises a metal film and covers one of the reservoirs, and molecules sealed inside the reservoirs; and selectively heating each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture the reservoir cap and open the reservoir. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the heating of the reservoir cap causes it to expand until it cracks or ruptures due to thermal expansion. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the molecules are drug molecules. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the molecules are distributed in a matrix formed of a degradable material. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selectively heating the reservoir cap causes the reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture, thereby opening the reservoir. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the phase change comprises melting. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selectively heating the reservoir cap causes the reservoir cap to chemically degrade and rupture, thereby opening the reservoir. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the reservoirs caps comprise gold or platinum. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selectively heating the reservoir cap comprise use of a thin film resistor.