Device for release of chemical molecules using pressure-generated rupture of reservoirs

Abstract

Devices are provided for controlled release of chemical molecules, such as drugs or diagnostic agents. The devices comprises a substrate; a plurality of discrete reservoirs located in the substrate, wherein the reservoirs each have at least one opening at a surface of the substrate; chemical molecules, for release, disposed in the reservoirs; a rupturable barrier layer closing the at least one opening; and a pressure generating material disposed in the reservoirs, the pressure generating material being selected from the group consisting of water-swellable materials, osmotic pressure generating materials, and combinations thereof, wherein the chemical molecules can be selectively released from each reservoir by rupturing of the barrier layer, due to pressure generated by the pressure generating material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 324,556, filed Dec. 19, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 798,562, filed Mar. 2, 2001, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 186,545, filed Mar. 2, 2000. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is in the field of miniaturized devices having reservoirs which contain small devices or device components and / or chemicals. [0003] Microarray systems have been developed that analyze numerous compounds, such as for drug activity or hybridization analysis of nucleotide molecule sequences. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,767 to Beattie discloses a microfabricated, flowthrough “genosensors” for the discrete detection of binding reactions. The apparatus includes a nanoporous glass wafer having tapered wells in which nucleic acid recognition elements are immobiliz...

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