Patents by Inventor Rebecca S. Shawgo

Rebecca S. Shawgo has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Methods and devices for sealing microchip reservoir devices
    Patent number: 6730072
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for mechanically sealing the reservoirs of microchip devices to prevent leakage from or between any of the reservoirs. In one embodiment, the method includes sandwiching a microchip device and a gasket material covering the reservoir openings between a front sealing frame and a backplate, such that the gasket material is compressed against the back side of the microchip device by the back plate. The front sealing frame is secured to the back sealing plate using fasteners or welding. The gasket material is preferably a flexible polymeric sheet, which is biocompatible and compatible with the reservoir contents. In another embodiment, a composite backplate is used in place of the back sealing plate and separate gasket material. The composite backplate can include a substrate having sealing plugs defined thereon. The composite backplate also can be designed to hold the drug, thereby combining the assembly steps of reservoir filling and sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rebecca S. Shawgo, Norman F. Sheppard, Jr., Michael J. Cima, John T. Santini, Jr., Stephen J. Herman, Benjamin F. Polito, Scott A. Uhland
  • Methods and devices for sealing microchip reservoir devices
    Publication number: 20020151776
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for mechanically sealing the reservoirs of microchip devices to prevent leakage from or between any of the reservoirs. In one embodiment, the method includes sandwiching a microchip device and a gasket material covering the reservoir openings between a front sealing frame and a backplate, such that the gasket material is compressed against the back side of the microchip device by the back plate. The front sealing frame is secured to the back sealing plate using fasteners or welding. The gasket material is preferably a flexible polymeric sheet, which is biocompatible and compatible with the reservoir contents. In another embodiment, a composite backplate is used in place of the back sealing plate and separate gasket material. The composite backplate can include a substrate having sealing plugs defined thereon. The composite backplate also can be designed to hold the drug, thereby combining the assembly steps of reservoir filling and sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Rebecca S. Shawgo, Norman F. Sheppard, Michael J. Cima, John T. Santini, Stephen J. Herman, Benjamin F. Polito, Scott A. Uhland