Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the status of a medical device implanted in a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting in a patient a medical device which comprises (i) a substrate in which two or more reservoirs are located, with each covered by a reservoir cap, (ii) a drug or sensor located in the reservoir, (iii) a power source and actuation electronics for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap, and (iv) a telemetry system; and then using said telemetry system to wirelessly transmit to a remote controller data about the condition of the power source and/or data about which reservoirs have been or have yet to be activated to release the drug therefrom or to expose the sensor therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering drug to the eye. The method and system may include implanting into the eye a device which comprises two or more discrete reservoirs, each reservoir containing a drug; and directing focused light to the implanted device to open a first one of the reservoirs and thereby permit the drug to diffuse from the first reservoir to the patient's eye.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for extended and controlled delivery of parathyroid hormone to a patient. The method includes implanting a medical device into the patient, the medical device comprising a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system contained in each of the reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises parathyroid hormone; and controllably releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of the parathyroid hormone from the reservoirs. The parathyroid hormone can be released intermittently, such as once daily over an extended period (e.g., two months, ten months, or more.). The device can further include reservoirs containing a bone resorption inhibitor or other drug for release. The devices are useful in delivering PTH for the treatment and prevention of bone loss, such as associated with osteoporosis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering drug to the eye. The method and system may include implanting into the eye a device which comprises two or more discrete reservoirs, each reservoir containing a drug; and directing focused light to the implanted device to open a first one of the reservoirs and thereby permit the drug to diffuse from the first reservoir to the patient's eye.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively opening a containment reservoir. The method includes providing a device which comprises a substrate in which at least one reservoir is located and covered by a reservoir cap; and directing laser light to the reservoir cap to cause the reservoir cap to disintegrate or become permeable. The device may be an implantable medical device. The reservoirs may contain a drug for controlled release or a biosensor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for medical treatment or diagnosis of a patient. The method includes implanting into the patient a device which comprises (i) a substrate in which at least one reservoir is located and covered by a first reservoir cap, (ii) a drug or sensor located in the reservoir, and (iii) control circuitry and a power source for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap, and (iv) an external interface to receive incident light energy; and directing focused light to the external interface of the implanted device to actuate disintegration or permeabilization of the reservoir cap to release the drug or expose the sensor. The device may implanted onto or into the sclera or other tissue surface of the eye of the patient. The focused light may be laser light, which may be used to transmit power or data to the device.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for extended and controlled delivery of parathyroid hormone to a patient. The method includes implanting a medical device into the patient, the medical device comprising a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system contained in each of the reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises parathyroid hormone; and controllably releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of the parathyroid hormone from the reservoirs. The parathyroid hormone can be released intermittently, such as once daily over an extended period (e.g., two months, ten months, or more.). The device can further include reservoirs containing a bone resorption inhibitor or other drug for release. The devices are useful in delivering PTH for the treatment and prevention of bone loss, such as associated with osteoporosis.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for extended and controlled delivery of parathyroid hormone to a patient. The method includes implanting a medical device into the patient, the medical device comprising a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system contained in each of the reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises parathyroid hormone; and controllably releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of the parathyroid hormone from the reservoirs. The parathyroid hormone can be released intermittently, such as once daily over an extended period (e.g., two months, ten months, or more.). The device can further include reservoirs containing a bone resorption inhibitor or other drug for release. The devices are useful in delivering PTH for the treatment and prevention of bone loss, such as associated with osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively opening a containment reservoir. The method includes providing a device which comprises a substrate in which at least one reservoir is located and covered by a reservoir cap; and directing laser light to said reservoir cap to cause the reservoir cap to disintegrate or become permeable. The device may be an implantable medical device. The reservoirs may contain a drug for controlled release or a biosensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the status of a medical device implanted in a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting in a patient a medical device which comprises (i) a substrate in which two or more reservoirs are located, with each covered by a reservoir cap, (ii) a drug or sensor located in the reservoir, (iii) a power source and actuation electronics for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap, and (iv) a telemetry system; and then using said telemetry system to wirelessly transmit to a remote controller data about the condition of the power source and/or data about which reservoirs have been or have yet to be activated to release the drug therefrom or to expose the sensor therein.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for wirelessly powering and/or communicating with implanted medical devices used for the controlled exposure and release of reservoir contents, such as drugs or sensors. The device may include a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing reservoir contents for release or exposure; and a rechargeable or on-demand power source comprising a local component which can wirelessly receive power from a remote transmitter wherein the received power can be used, directly or following transduction, to activate the release or exposure of the reservoir contents.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for wirelessly powering and/or communicating with implanted medical devices used for the controlled exposure and release of reservoir contents, such as drugs or sensors. The device may include a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing reservoir contents for release or exposure; and a rechargeable or on-demand power source comprising a local component which can wirelessly receive power from a remote transmitter wherein the received power can be used, directly or following transduction, to activate the release or exposure of the reservoir contents.

Abstract: Methods of pre-clinical animal testing to monitor physiological parameters of test animals following exposure of molecules sealed in reservoirs on implanted devices. The test molecules are exposed to physiological fluid of the animal. The molecules can be configured as a sensor chemistry that reacts with the physiological fluid. The molecules can be a drug or drug candidate that is released into the animal. The test animals are non-human mammals.

Abstract: Methods are provided for medical treatment or diagnosis of a patient. The method includes implanting into the patient a device which comprises (i) a substrate in which at least one reservoir is located and covered by a first reservoir cap, (ii) a drug or sensor located in the reservoir, and (iii) control circuitry and a power source for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap, and (iv) an external interface to receive incident light energy; and directing focused light to the external interface of the implanted device to actuate disintegration or permeabilization of the reservoir cap to release the drug or expose the sensor. The device may implanted onto or into the sclera or other tissue surface of the eye of the patient. The focused light may be laser light which may be used to transmit power or data to the device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for wirelessly powering and/or communicating with microchip devices used for the controlled exposure and release of reservoir contents, such as drugs, reagents, and sensors. In one embodiment, the system includes (1) a microchip device comprising a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs containing reservoir contents for release or exposure; and (2) a rechargeable or on-demand power source comprising a local component which can wirelessly receive power from a remote transmitter wherein the received power can be used, directly or following transduction, to activate said release or exposure of the reservoir contents. In another embodiment, the system comprises (1) a microchip device comprising a substrate a plurality of reservoirs containing reservoir contents for release or exposure; and (2) a telemetry system for the wireless transfer of data between the microchip device and a remote controller.

Abstract: Microchip device arrays that can conform to a curved surface are provided for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents. The arrays comprise two or more microchip device elements, each of which includes a plurality of reservoirs that contain molecules for controlled release or components for selective exposure, and a means for flexibly connecting the device elements. The reservoirs can contain one or more drugs and/or one or more secondary devices, such as a sensor or a component thereof. Preferably, the microchip devices contain and controllably release therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic molecules to and into the eye of a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for extended and controlled delivery of parathyroid hormone to a patient. The method includes implanting a medical device into the patient, the medical device comprising a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a release system contained in each of the reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises parathyroid hormone; and controllably releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of the parathyroid hormone from the reservoirs. The parathyroid hormone can be released intermittently, such as once daily over an extended period (e.g., two months, ten months, or more.). The device can further include reservoirs containing a bone resorption inhibitor or other drug for release. The devices are useful in delivering PTH for the treatment and prevention of bone loss, such as associated with osteoporosis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the delivery of molecules to a site via a carrier fluid. The apparatus include microchip devices which have reservoirs containing the molecules for release. The apparatus and methods provide for active or passive controlled release of the molecules. Embodiments include systems for release of fragrance molecules and beverage additives.

Abstract: Apparati and methods are provided for the delivery of molecules to a site via a carrier fluid. The apparati include microchip devices which have reservoirs containing the molecules for release. The apparati and methods provide for active or passive controlled release of the molecules. Preferred embodiments include systems for intravenous administration of drugs, wherein drug molecules are released from the microchip devices into a carrier fluid ex vivo, such as a saline solution, forming a drug/saline solution mixture which is then delivered to a patient intravenously.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the delivery of molecules to a site via a carrier fluid. The apparatus include microchip devices which have reservoirs containing the molecules for release. The apparatus and methods provide for active or passive controlled release of the molecules. Embodiments include systems for release of fragrance molecules and beverage additives.