Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for manipulating small amounts of solids. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly suited for the automated transfer of small amounts of solids. In one embodiment, a uniform powder bed is lightly compressed into plugs of powder and dispensed. In another embodiment, the solid is placed in a liquid carrier to form a slurry, dispensed, and the liquid component is subsequently removed. In yet another embodiment, solids are manipulated using adhesive surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for manipulating small amounts of solids. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly suited for the automated transfer of small amounts of solids. In one embodiment, a uniform powder bed is lightly compressed into plugs of powder and dispensed. In another embodiment, the solid is placed in a liquid carrier to form a slurry, dispensed, and the liquid component is subsequently removed. In yet another embodiment, solids are manipulated using adhesive surfaces.

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: Methods are provide for fabricating a microchip device having containment reservoirs. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate; forming a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, each reservoir having an opening in a surface of the substrate; fabricating a plurality of metal reservoir caps, each of which closes off one of said openings; and sealing each of said reservoirs. The method may further include loading chemical molecules, such a drug, into each of said reservoirs before said sealing of the reservoirs.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a device for the containment and controlled release or exposure of a chemical substance. The method includes (i) providing a device which includes a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs, at least one chemical substance stored in the reservoirs, a plurality of metal reservoir caps, each of which closes an opening of one of said reservoir caps, and power and electrode means for disintegrating each of said reservoir caps; and (ii) disintegrating at least one of said reservoir caps, using said power and electrode means, to expose or release the chemical substance, wherein said disintegration comprises using potentiostatic or galvanostatic control to a voltage potential at said at least one reservoir cap.

Abstract: A pump patch device is provided for drug delivery. The device may include a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs, each reservoir having a reservoir opening; a drug disposed in the reservoirs; a pump for delivering a carrier fluid through or adjacent to the reservoir openings; a flow channel for receiving and combining the carrier fluid from the pump with the drug from the reservoirs to form a fluidized drug; and a needle for delivering the fluidized drug into the skin or another biological tissue of a patient. A device is provided for use in dialysis that includes a non-disposable module including a pump or pressure generator; and a disposable cassette operably connected to the pump or pressure generator and including a plurality of discrete reservoirs containing drug and sensors. A fluidics connection device is provided that includes a compression cold weld seal for a microfluidic via.

Abstract: Implant devices for intravesical administration and local drug delivery. The device has a body which includes a hollow tube formed of a biocompatible material; at least one reservoir in the tube which contains a drug; and one or more apertures through which the drug can be released. The device is configured for minimally invasive insertion into a body cavity, such as the bladder. The hollow tube may be elastomeric to permit the device to be elastically deformed from its initial shape into an elongated shape for passage through a catheter, where following such passage the device can return to or toward its initial shape to facilitate retention of the device in the body cavity. The body may have a narrow, elongated shape effective to permit insertion of the drug delivery device through a catheter without necessarily deforming the body, yet include flexible projections which effect retention within the body cavity.

Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively detecting mechanical wear of a prosthetic device implanted in a patient, the method comprises using a non-invasive imaging technique to image the prosthetic device that includes a wear indicating composition; and detecting whether the wear indicating composition has been released from the prosthetic device, and, if so, the location, type, and/or amount thereof. The implant device includes a prosthetic device body having at least one outer surface area; at least one reservoir (e.g., a plurality of discretely spaced micro-reservoirs) in the device body; a wear indicator composition disposed in said at least one reservoir, wherein mechanical wear of the at least one outer surface area of the device body in vivo causes release of at least part of the wear indicator composition. The prosthetic device body may be one for replacement of a hip, a knee, a shoulder, an elbow, or a vertebra.

Abstract: Methods of manipulating (e.g., obtaining, separating, and moving) and weighing solids, particularly dry powders, are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices that can be used to accurately and manipulate solids such as, but not limited to, dielectrophoresis-based devices, coring devices, and micromechanical tweezers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer-controlled automated high-throughput systems and/or computer-program products to design, prepare, process, and analyze a large number of samples having experimental formulations each containing a compound of interest formulated with differing component combinations and varying concentrations and component identities. The computer-controlled methods of the present invention allow determination of the effects of additional or inactive components, such as excipients, carriers, enhancers, adhesives, additives, and the like, on the compound of interest, such as pharmaceuticals. The invention thus encompasses the computer systems, computer methods, and computer-program products for computer-controlled automated high-throughput testing of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations in order to determine the overall optimal composition or formulation for an intended use or purpose.

Abstract: Computer-controlled automated high-throughput systems can be used to design, prepare, process, screen, and analyze a large number of samples in removable sample vials each containing a compound of interest formulated with differing component combinations and varying concentrations. The computer-controlled methods of the present invention allow for a determination of the effects of additional or inactive components, such as excipients, carriers, enhancers, adhesives, additives, and the like, on the compound of interest, such as a pharmaceutical. The invention thus encompasses the computer systems, computer methods, and computer-program products for computer-controlled automated high-throughput testing of experimental formulations in order to identify experimental formulations that can be further processed. Identified experimental formulations from multiple arrays can be removed and re-arrayed together to form a new array for further processing.

Abstract: An implantable device for the controlled release of drug or diagnostic molecules in vivo which includes a substrate formed of a metal or a polyethylene, a plurality of discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions in the substrate, and a release system disposed in the at least two reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises drug or diagnostic molecules combined with a release-controlling polymer matrix, wherein the kinetics of release of the drug or diagnostic molecules is controlled by disintegration of the polymeric matrix. The substrate and reservoirs therein may be made by a manufacturing technique which comprises compression molding, thermoforming, casting, laser cutting, etching, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method, apparatus (array assembly), and system for fabricating and formulating hydrogels using combinatorial techniques; a hydrogel array fabricated using the method, apparatus, and/or system of the invention; and methods and systems for testing the properties of arrayed hydrogels, such as bulk and interfacial mechanical properties.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for implantation into a patient is provided that includes at least one device element which comprises a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs disposed therein, said reservoirs containing drug molecules and a degradable matrix material which controls in vivo release of the drug molecules from the reservoirs, wherein the drug delivery device is adapted to conform to a curved bone tissue surface. In one embodiment, the substrate is flexible and conforms to a bone tissue surface. In another embodiment, the device has two or more device elements attached to or integral with a flexible supporting layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for facilitating high throughput transcellular flux testing of compounds, such as pharmaceuticals or drugs, other compounds, or compound combinations. In one embodiment, the system and methods of the present invention may be used to identify the optimal components (e.g., solvents, carriers, transport enhancers, adhesives, additives, inhibitors, or other excipients) for pharmaceutical compositions or formulations that are delivered to a patient via tissue transport, including without limitation, pharmaceutical compositions or formulations administered or delivered transcellularly, topically, and ocularly.

Abstract: A drug delivery device such as an oral dosage form (ODF) with a toxic or potent core encapsulated by a non-toxic region. The non-toxic region may be a region including multiple layers, coatings, shells, and combinations thereof, which provides protection to and isolation from the toxic or potent core. The drug in the toxic or potent core is incorporated into the dosage form via, for example, three-dimensional printing, as a solution, solubilization or suspension of solid particles in liquid, rather than by the more conventional handling and compressing of dry powder. This minimizes the likelihood of creating airborne particles of the toxic drug during manufacturing, hence controlling and minimizing the exposure of manufacturing personnel to the hazardous substance. Wet dispensing of the toxic or potent drug further provides greater bioavailability of the drug to the patient.

Abstract: Implantable prosthetic devices are provided for controlled drug delivery, for orthopedic and dental applications. The device may include a prosthetic device body having at least one outer surface area; two or more discrete reservoirs located in spaced apart positions across at least a portion of the outer surface area, the reservoirs formed with an opening at the surface of the device body and extending into the device body; and a release system disposed in the reservoirs which comprises at least one therapeutic or prophylactic agent, wherein following implantation into a patient the therapeutic or prophylactic agent is released in a controlled manner from the reservoirs. The prosthetic device body preferably is a joint prosthesis or part thereof, such as a hip prosthesis, a knee prosthesis, a vertebral or spinal disc prosthesis, or part thereof. Optional reservoir caps may further control release kinetics.