Abstract: Methods are provided for hermetically sealing an opening in a reservoir of a containment device. The method comprises applying a polymeric material to an opening in a reservoir of a containment device, the reservoir comprising reservoir contents (such as a drug or a sensor) to be hermetically isolated within the reservoir, the applied polymeric material closing off the opening and forming a temporary seal; and adhering a hermetic sealing material onto the polymeric material to hermetically seal the opening. The reservoir can be a micro-reservoir. The containment device can comprises an array of two or more of reservoirs, and the method comprises hermetically sealing each of the two or more reservoirs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conformally coating microchip devices and for sealing reservoirs containing molecules or devices in a microchip device. One method comprises (i) providing a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs having reservoir openings in need of sealing; (ii) loading reservoir contents comprising molecules, a secondary device, or both, into the reservoirs; and (iii) applying a conformal coating barrier layer, such as a vapor depositable polymeric material, e.g., parylene, onto the reservoir contents over at least the reservoir openings to seal the reservoir openings. Another method comprises vapor depositing a conformal coating material onto a microchip device having at least two reservoirs and reservoir caps positioned over molecules or devices stored in the reservoirs, and providing that the conformal coating does not coat or is removed from the reservoir caps.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for enhancing corrosion of an electrode in a biocompatible fluid. The method comprises (1) placing a primary electrode and a counter electrode in an electroconductive biocompatible fluid to form an electrochemical cell; and (2) applying a time-varying potential, through the electrochemical cell, to the primary electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the primary electrode is metal and comprises a reservoir cap of a microchip device for the release of molecules or exposure of device reservoir contents. The potential preferably is characterized by a waveform having a maximum potential effectively anodic to meet or exceed the corrosion potential of the primary electrode. Also, the minimum potential preferably is effectively cathodic to be below the value where re-deposition of metal ions on the metal electrode can substantially occur, thereby corroding the metal electrode.

Abstract: Microchip devices are provided with an inert and biocompatible conformal coating to mitigate adverse responses following device implantation in a patient, to contain and seal a drug or other material within the device, and/or to insulate the electrical connections to the device. The device can include: (1) a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs; (2) reservoir contents, such as a drug or biosensor, in the reservoirs; (3) reservoir caps covering the reservoirs to isolate the contents from environmental components outside the reservoirs; and (4) a conformal coating over the outer surface of at least a portion of the substrate other than the reservoir caps. The reservoir caps can be selectively disintegrated or permeabilized to expose the reservoir contents to environmental components. The conformal coating preferably comprises a vapor depositable polymeric material, such as parylene. Processes for controlling coating of the devices while facilitating reservoir cap exposure are provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for enhancing corrosion of an electrode in a biocompatible fluid. The method comprises (1) placing a primary electrode and a counter electrode in an electroconductive biocompatible fluid to form an electrochemical cell; and (2) applying a time-varying potential, through the electrochemical cell, to the primary electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the primary electrode is metal and comprises a reservoir cap of a microchip device for the release of molecules or exposure of device reservoir contents. The potential preferably is characterized by a waveform having a maximum potential effectively anodic to meet or exceed the corrosion potential of the primary electrode. Also, the minimum potential preferably is effectively cathodic to be below the value where re-deposition of metal ions on the metal electrode can substantially occur, thereby corroding the metal electrode.