Controlling biological fluids in microelectromechanical machines

Abstract

A therapeutic agent may be dispensed into a biological fluid on an as needed basis. A microelectromechanical system valve may dispense the therapeutic agent as needed. The valve may sense the extent of the need for the therapeutic agent and may controllably open to provide that therapeutic agent in response thereto.

1 . A method comprising: 
 providing a microelectromechanical system valve to sense the need to dispense a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including forming a microelectromechanical system valve in the form of a leaf valve.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  including forming a depression in a first substrate and forming said valve over said depression.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  including forming a trench through a second substrate and securing said first substrate and said second substrate together.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  including providing fluidic trips to form turbulent flow proximate to said valve to mix fluid controlled by said valve.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  including forming said valve with a bioactive material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  including forming a bimetal valve.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  including forming a polymer layer on said valve, said polymer layer including inert particles.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  including functionalizing said inert particles.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  including arranging said valve to be actuated in response to a chemical reaction with material on said inert particles.  
   
   
       11 . A dispensing device comprising: 
 a first flow passage;    a second flow passage; and    a microelectromechanical system valve to control the flow of fluid from one passage to the other, said system including fluidic trips to cause turbulent flow and mixing the fluids from said first and second flow passages.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said valve is a leaf valve.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  including a pair of substrates, said first flow passage formed in one substrate and said second flow passage formed in the other substrate and said valve formed between said substrates.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said valve includes a bioactive material.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said valve is a bimetal valve.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said valve includes a bioactive material.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14  including a polymer layer and said bioactive material is embedded in said polymer layer.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  including inert particles embedded in said polymer layer, said inert particles including a reactive material coated on said particles.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said valve is operable in response to the extent of reactions with said bioactive material.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a pair of passages;    a valve to selectively control the extent of communication between said passages, said valve including a bioactive material, said valve operable in response to chemical reactions with said bioactive material.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said valve is a leaf valve.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said valve is a microelectromechanical system valve.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said valve includes a layer having a coating of bioactive material.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said layer includes inert particles having a bioactive coating thereon.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said inert particles are in the form of glass beads.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  including a polymer layer and wherein said glass beads are embedded in said polymer layer.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein reactions with said bioactive material open said valve when sufficient accumulation occurs on said valve to pull said valve open.