Sustained Release Delivery Devices
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorNoel M. Elman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments provide dispensers and delivery devices that release their contents at sustained rates. An exemplary device may include one or more reservoirs for holding a solid, semisolid, liquid or gaseous substance that may be released outside the device. Exemplary devices enable sustained release of their contents over a predetermined period of time, for example, up to a month or more. Exemplary devices also enable release of the contents according to, for example, predetermined release rates and profiles customized for the use of the device. Each reservoir of the device may include one or more apertures through which the contents may be released outside the reservoir. Each aperture may be covered by one or more porous membranes to allow sustained release of the contents of the reservoir.
Claims19
A delivery device for sustained release of a substance, the delivery device comprising:
- a substrate;
- at least one reservoir formed in the substrate for holding the substance;
- and
- at least one porous membrane associated with the reservoir for sustained release of the substance through the pores of the membrane.
The delivery device of claim 12, wherein the garment is a bracelet.
The delivery device of claim 12, further comprising:
- at least one heat transferring arrangement configured to transfer body heat from a person wearing the garment to the substance.
An array of delivery devices for sustained release of a substance, comprising:
- two or more delivery devices, each of the two or more delivery devices including:
- a substrate;
- at least one reservoir formed in the substrate for holding the substance;
- and
- at least one porous membrane associated with the reservoir for sustained release of the substance through the pores of the membrane.
A method for releasing a substance, comprising the steps of:
- providing a delivery device including:
- a substrate;
- at least one reservoir formed in the substrate for holding the substance;
- and
- at least one porous membrane associated with the reservoir for sustained release of the substance through the pores of the membrane;
- adding the substance to the at least one reservoir;
- and
- placing the delivery device at a particular location to release the substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.