IMPLANTABLE MEMS MEDICINE DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

A medicine delivery system (10) implantable into a human or animal body includes a medicine delivery unit (14) and a control unit (12). A membrane (26) seals the delivery opening (22) of a medicine compartment (18) and is pre-stressed by an amount less than the predetermined elastic deformation and rupture point limits of the membrane (26). A release element (28) associated with compartment (18) causes the membrane (26) to be stressed beyond the deformation and rupture point limits in response to a control signal (78). Release element (28) ruptures the membrane (26) along a predetermined rupture pattern to permit a first membrane portion (35), forming a hinged lid, to separate from a second membrane portion (37) along the predetermined rupture pattern while remaining attached to the second membrane portion at a hinge (39).