Fluid delivery device with hydrophobic surface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019024823-A1
Application number	US-201715656126-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 21, 2017
Priority date	Jul 21, 2017
Publication date	Jan 24, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A liquid delivery apparatus comprising:
a first substrate comprising a reservoir formed in the first substrate; a membrane disposed on the surface of the first substrate covering an opening of the reservoir; a second substrate bonded to the first substrate, wherein the second substrate comprises a reservoir seal; a hydrophobic layer disposed on an inside surface of the membrane; and electrodes in electrical contact with the membrane.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the membrane comprises a metal film.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the membrane comprises an electrically-insulating film.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir seal comprises indium.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hydrophilic layer disposed on a surface of the reservoir opposite the membrane.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic layer comprises a fluorocarbon film.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic layer comprises a porous electrodeposited metal film.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic layer has a thickness of about 5 Angstroms (Å) to about 1 micron.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a liquid in the reservoir.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the liquid comprises an active pharmaceutical agent.

12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the liquid comprises a microbattery electrolyte.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic layer lines a portion of the cavity.

14 . A liquid delivery apparatus comprising:
a substrate comprising a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate; a membrane connected to a hinged structure; a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane; and a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the membrane comprises a metal film.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a hydrophilic layer disposed on a surface of the cavity opposite the membrane.

17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbon films, micro-structured polymers, carbon nanotubes, electrodeposited metal films, oxides, oxide composites, and patterned films.

18 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic layer has a thickness of about 1 Angstrom (Å) to about 500 nanometers (nm).

19 . The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a liquid in the cavity.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the liquid comprises an active pharmaceutical agent.

21 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the liquid comprises a microbattery electrolyte.

22 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the hydrophobic layer lines a portion of the cavity.

23 . An electronic delivery device comprising:
a dispensing array comprising a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the dispensing array comprises a cavity, a membrane covering an opening of the cavity, and a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane; a microprocessor in communication with the dispensing array; and a wireless receiver in communication with the microprocessor.

24 . A method of delivering liquids comprising:
forming a hydrophobic liner on a release membrane covering a delivery structure reservoir; depositing a liquid in the reservoir; sealing the reservoir with a hydrophilic layer; and providing an electric current to the release membrane to dispense the liquid.

25 . A computer program product for delivery of liquids comprising:
a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a signal from a sensor concerning a local environmental condition; sending, based at least in part upon the signal, an electric current to a release membrane lined with a hydrophobic liner, wherein the release membrane covers a delivery structure reservoir; and rupturing the membrane with the electric current.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Liu Yang
• Wright Steven L

Classifications

• A61M5/172

  electrical or electronic {(A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence)} · CPC title

• A61M37/00

  Other apparatus for introducing media into the body (for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30); Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin (salt baths A61H33/04) · CPC title

• A61M2205/0244

  Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology · CPC title

• A61M5/1723

  using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure (measurement of body parameters A61B5/00) · CPC title

• A61M31/002 Primary

  Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time (artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50) · CPC title