Actuable structures and methods of fabrication and use
AssigneeTeledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
InventorsBrian Cox, Julia Mack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuable truss with ordered or disordered planar or strut elements or pore walls may be seeded with tissue cells, wherein application of a magnetic field may result in mechanical strain on the cells and increased fluid flow in and out of the truss structure. Modified polymers, such as γ-Fe2O3/PLGA, may be used to form actuable scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering. It is also disclosed a device with a trap-door that may be remotely actuated by applying a magnetic field. Such a device may be employed to deliver and control the release of other micro-devices or materials such as drugs to a specific location inside the body of a human or an animal.
Claims44
An actuable truss structure comprising an element or combination of elements manufactured from a biocompatible material, said element being controllably deformable in response to the application of a magnetic field.
An actuable truss structure comprising:
- a first, a second and a third planar elements;
- said first, second and third planar elements being operably arranged to form an array on a surface;
- and
- means for controllably deflecting said first, second and third planar elements.
A selectively deformable structure comprising:
- a body portion having a longitudinal axis and being radially disposed at a pre-selected distance about said longitudinal axis, and extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, the body portion having at least one chamber;
- and
- means for selectively deforming the body portion.
A method for stimulating cell growth or tissue differentiation, comprising:
- providing a truss structure, the truss structure having:
- a first, a second and a third planar elements, said first, second and third planar elements being operably arranged to form an array on a surface;
- and
- means for controllably deflecting said first, second and third planar elements;
- seeding the truss structure with cells;
- and
- causing deflection of the elements by application of a magnetic field.
A method for stimulating cell growth or tissue differentiation, comprising:
- providing a selectively deformable structure, the deformable structure having:
- a body portion having a longitudinal axis and being radially disposed at a pre-selected distance about said longitudinal axis, and extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, the body portion having at least one chamber;
- and
- means for selectively deforming the body portion;
- seeding the deformable structure with cells;
- and
- causing deformation of the body portion by application of a magnetic field.
A magnetically actuable device made with a biocompatible material, comprising:
- a cavity with at least one opening;
- a trap-door outlet that controls the closure of the opening;
- and
- means for controlling the open and close of the trap-door outlet.
A method of delivering materials inside a body of a human being or an animal, comprising:
- providing a magnetically actuable device made with a biocompatible material, the magnetically actuable device having:
- a cavity with at least one opening;
- a trap-door outlet that controls the closure of the opening;
- and
- means for controlling the open and close of the trap-door outlet;
- implanting the device into said body;
- and
- actuating the device using a magnetic field to cause release of the delivery materials contained therein into said body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.