Laser-Activated Drug Delivery Device

摘要

Devices and methods are provided for selectively delivering a drug by laser activation. The device includes structural elements forming a hermetic, enclosed reservoir, and at least one drug unit contained in the enclosed reservoir. The at least one drug unit includes a drug. The device is able to absorb laser irradiation effective to open the enclosed reservoir to permit release of the drug. The method includes implanting a drug delivery device into a tissue site of a patient, and irradiating at least a portion of the drug delivery device to breach the enclosed reservoir to permit the drug to be released in tissues at the tissue site.