Drug delivery system

Abstract

An implantable drug delivery system has a housing, a collapsible reservoir, a microfabricated flow channel, and at least one magnet. The collapsible reservoir is disposed in the housing. The microfabricated flow channel is connected at one end to the collapsible reservoir and opens at an external surface of the housing. The magnet is disposed within the housing adjacent a membrane defining the flow channel and is movable in response to a magnetic force to deflect the membrane into the flow channel for inhibiting drug flow from the collapsible reservoir to the external surface of the housing, and for pumping drug flow from the collapsible reservoir to the external surface of the housing.

1 .- 4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . A microfluidic drug delivery device, comprising 
 an elastomeric block having a drug reservoir disposed therein;    a flow channel in fluid connection with both the drug reservoir and the external surface of the device;    at least one valve disposed within the device for inhibiting drug flow from the reservoir to the external surface of the device.    
     
     
         6 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  further comprising a peristaltic pump, said peristaltic pump comprising at least three control channels disposed adjacent the flow channel, the three control channels being capable of sequential activation, each collapsing the flow channel, thereby peristaltically pumping the drug through the flow channel.  
     
     
         7 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein said peristaltic pump is actuated pneumatically.  
     
     
         8 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein said peristaltic pump is actuated magnetically.  
     
     
         9 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein said peristaltic pump is actuated electrostatically.  
     
     
         10 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein the drug reservoir is collapsible.  
     
     
         11 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein the microfluidic drug delivery device is implantable.  
     
     
         12 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein the microfluidic drug delivery device is adapted to deliver a medicinal agent through the skin.  
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  adapted to deliver precise amounts of a drug for delivery at a predetermined rate.  
     
     
         14 . The drug delivery device of  claim 13  adapted to provide controlled release, pulsatile delivery, or programmable delivery of a drug.  
     
     
         15 . The drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein the drug delivered is insulin.