Nanochanneled device with electrodes and related methods
Inventors
Fine, Daniel • Grattoni, Alessandro • Ferrari, Mauro • Liu, Xuewu • GOODALL, Randal • Hosali, Sharath
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10987500-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nanochannel delivery device and method of manufacturing and use. The nanochannel delivery device comprises an inlet, an outlet, electrodes and a nanochannel. The nanochannel may be oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device. The inlet and outlet may be in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an implantable nanochannel drug delivery device that includes inlet microchannels, outlet microchannels, and nanochannels that couple the inlet microchannels to the outlet microchannels. The nanochannel is directly coupled to electrode(s) integrated with the device such that electrokinetic modulation of drug release is enabled, with direct fluid communication between the microchannels and the nanochannel.
In the described configurations, electrophoresis and electroosmosis modulate molecular release from the nanochannel. The release modulation is reversible and enhanced by voltage, with low-voltage operation emphasized to support implantable implementation while minimizing undesired effects such as electrolysis. The nanochannel orientation relative to a primary plane and the relationship of inlet/outlet microchannels are part of the electrical-fluidic coupling structure.
The disclosed device concepts further specify electrode placement relative to the nanochannels and propose micro/nanochannel architectures with selectable orientations, including perpendicular arrangements and parallel-to-primary-plane variants. Electrical behavior is characterized using V-I characteristic curves and power/current behavior, and release transport and mechanisms are analyzed using electrical-double-layer related concepts such as Debye length and concentration polarization.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define three nanochannel delivery device structures with multiple fluidic interfaces to microchannels and electrical interfaces via electrodes that are coupled to nanochannel surfaces, with nanochannels arranged perpendicular to one or more microchannels and/or having electrically conductive nanochannel surfaces.
Single nanochannel perpendicular to inlet and outlet microchannels with directly coupled electrode
A nanochannel delivery device comprising a plurality of inlet microchannels, a first electrode, a second electrode, a plurality of nanochannels, and a plurality of outlet microchannels, wherein each inlet microchannel is in direct fluid communication with an outlet microchannel via a single nanochannel; the single nanochannel is perpendicular to the inlet microchannel and the outlet microchannel with which it is in direct fluid communication; and the first electrode is directly coupled to a first surface of the nanochannel delivery device.
Nanochannel perpendicular to inlet and outlet channels with first and second electrically conductive parallel surfaces
A nanochannel delivery device comprising an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a nanochannel in fluid communication with the inlet channel and the outlet channel, wherein the nanochannel comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is substantially parallel to the second surface; the nanochannel is perpendicular to the inlet channel; and the nanochannel is perpendicular to the outlet channel; the first surface and the second surface are electrically conductive.
Nanochannel perpendicular to microchannels with electrodes extending from the nanochannel to exterior surfaces
A nanochannel delivery device comprising a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface; a first electrode and a second electrode; a nanochannel; a first microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel; and a second microchannel in fluid communication with the nanochannel, wherein the first microchannel extends from the nanochannel to the first exterior surface; the second microchannel extends from the nanochannel to the second exterior surface; the nanochannel is perpendicular to the first microchannel; and the nanochannel is perpendicular to the second microchannel; the first electrode and the second electrode extend from the nanochannel to the first exterior surface.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on implantable nanochannel delivery devices that create direct fluid communication between microchannels and a nanochannel and provide electrode coupling to electrically conductive nanochannel surfaces or to electrodes extending to exterior surfaces. The claims further emphasize geometric relationships in which the nanochannel is perpendicular to at least one of the microchannels, or inlet/outlet channels, while maintaining electrically conductive surfaces configured for electrical control of nanochannel-associated release.
Stated Advantages
Voltage-enhanced and reversible molecular release from the nanochannel.
Low-voltage operation to support implantable implementation while emphasizing minimization of electrolysis.
Power consumption and electrical performance characterized via V-I curves and power/current behavior.
Documented Applications
Implantable nanochannel drug delivery for chronotherapy and metronomic delivery.
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