Acoustically controlled substance delivery device

摘要

Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled substance delivery device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a delivery device or related device may be placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. The concentration of a substance in the fluid to be delivered may be modified by a remote control signal. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a delivery device, comprising:
generating an acoustic control signal including frequency components absorbable by an acoustically responsive control element of a delivery device in an environment, the delivery device including a fluid-containing structure containing a delivery fluid and a quantity of primary material, the primary material being distributed between a first active form and a second form and having an effective concentration in the delivery fluid equal to the concentration of the first active form in the delivery fluid, wherein the effective concentration of the primary material in the delivery fluid is controllable by the acoustically responsive control element by modifying a condition at an interaction region within the fluid-containing structure upon activation of the acoustically responsive control element by the acoustic control signal, wherein modifying the condition at the interaction region modifies interaction between an interaction site of the interaction region and the primary material, and wherein modifying the condition at the interaction region includes heating or cooling at least a portion of the interaction region; and remotely transmitting the acoustic control signal to the delivery device with signal characteristics sufficient to activate the acoustically responsive control element in the delivery device to control the effective concentration of primary material in the delivery fluid in the delivery device.