US4364385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulin delivery device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-13
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An insulin delivery device comprised of a compartment limited by a semipermeable, ionically charged membrane, containing the enzymes glucose oxidase and catalase, is disclosed. The enclosed enzymes provide a means for varying the permeabiity of the membrane to stored insulin deposited within the compartment according to the magnitude of glucose concentration outside the compartment, thus facilitating continuous, physiologically regulated delivery of insulin to tissues. This device may be applicable for intracorporeal or extracorporeal use.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven V. Lossef
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/0012; A61K9/0019; A61K9/0024; A61M; A61M31/00; A61M31/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An insulin delivery device comprising: a compartment containing insulin therein, said compartment limited by a semipermeable membrane having a plurality of pores permeable to glucose and exhibiting a net negative surface charge, said compartment adapted to contact circulating body fluids including glucose; and enzymes contained in said compartment capable of liberating hydrogen ions from glucose diffused through said pores, from said body fluids, the molecular size of said enzymes being greater than the size of the pores of said compartment and the molecular size of the insulin being slightly smaller than the size of the pores of said compartment; whereby, as the concentration of positive hydrogen ions increases with an increase of glucose concentration, the net negative charge of the semipermeable membrane is reduced providing an increase in the rate of diffusion of the insulin through the pores as a function of the increase of glucose concentration in the circulating body fluids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An insulin delivery device comprising: a compartment containing insulin therein, said compartment limited by a semipermeable membrane having a plurality of pores permeable to glucose and exhibiting a net negative surface charge, said compartment adapted to contact circulating body fluids including glucose; and enzymes contained in said compartment capable of liberating hydrogen ions from glucose diffused through said pores, from said body fluids, the molecular size of said enzymes being greater than the size of the pores of said compartment and the molecular size of the insulin being slightly smaller than the size of the pores of said compartment; whereby, as the concentration of positive hydrogen ions increases with an increase of glucose concentration, the net negative charge of the semipermeable membrane is reduced providing an increase in the rate of diffusion of the insulin through the pores as a function of the increase of glucose concentration in the circulating body fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An insulin delivery device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said enzymes are glucose oxidase and catalase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An insulin delivery device in accordance with claims 1 and 2 whereby the pore size of said semipermeable membrane is approximately 6500 daltons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An insulin delivery device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said glucose oxidase and said catalase convert the glucose into gluconic acid which dissociates into negative gluconate ions and positive hydrogen ions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for providing a controlled release of insulin comprising the steps of: providing a compartment limited by a semipermeable membrane having a negative surface charge and containing enzymes and insulin therein, said semipermeable membrane having pores which are smaller that the molecular size of the enzymes and are slightly larger than the molecular size of the insulin; placing said compartment in contact with circulating body fluid containing a varying concentration of glucose, said glucose capable of diffusing through the pores of said semipermeable membrane; and reacting the glucose with said enzymes to liberate positive hydrogen ions, the concentration of said hydrogen ions being a function of the concentration of the glucose; whereby as the concentration of positive hydrogen ions increases with an increase of glucose concentration, the net negative charge of the semipermeable membrane is reduced providing an increase in the rate of diffusion of the insulin through the pores as a function of the glucose concentration in the circulating body fluids.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for providing a controlled release of insulin comprising the steps of: providing a compartment limited by a semipermeable membrane having a negative surface charge and containing enzymes and insulin therein, said semipermeable membrane having pores which are smaller that the molecular size of the enzymes and are slightly larger than the molecular size of the insulin; placing said compartment in contact with circulating body fluid containing a varying concentration of glucose, said glucose capable of diffusing through the pores of said semipermeable membrane; and reacting the glucose with said enzymes to liberate positive hydrogen ions, the concentration of said hydrogen ions being a function of the concentration of the glucose; whereby as the concentration of positive hydrogen ions increases with an increase of glucose concentration, the net negative charge of the semipermeable membrane is reduced providing an increase in the rate of diffusion of the insulin through the pores as a function of the glucose concentration in the circulating body fluids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for providing a controlled release of insulin in accordance with claim 5 wherein said enzymes are glucose oxidase and catalase.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |