Remote controlled in situ reaction method

Abstract

Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.

1 .- 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The reaction method of  claim 109 , wherein modifying the area of the reaction region includes increasing the area of the reaction region.  
     
     
         8 . The reaction method of  claim 7 , wherein increasing the area of the reaction region increases the distances between reaction sites in the reaction region.  
     
     
         9 . The reaction method of  claim 7 , wherein increasing the area of the reaction region includes increasing the number of available reaction sites in the reaction area.  
     
     
         10 . The reaction method of  claim 109 , wherein modifying the area of the reaction region includes decreasing the area of the reaction region.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein decreasing the area of the reaction region decreases the distances between reaction sites in the reaction region.  
     
     
         12 . The reaction method of  claim 10 , wherein decreasing the area of the reaction region includes decreasing the number of available reaction sites in the reaction area.  
     
     
         13 .- 42 . (canceled)  
     
     
         43 . The reaction method of  claim 110 , wherein modifying the area of the reaction region includes increasing the area of the reaction region.  
     
     
         44 . The reaction method of  claim 43 , wherein increasing the area of the reaction region increases the distances between reaction sites in the reaction region.  
     
     
         45 . The reaction method of  claim 43 , wherein increasing the area of the reaction region includes increasing the number of available reaction sites in the reaction area.  
     
     
         46 . The reaction method of  claim 110 , wherein modifying the area of the reaction region includes decreasing the area of the reaction region.  
     
     
         47 . The reaction method of  claim 46 , wherein decreasing the area of the reaction region decreases the distances between reaction sites in the reaction region.  
     
     
         48 . The reaction method of  claim 46 , wherein decreasing the area of the reaction region includes decreasing the number of available reaction sites in the reaction area.  
     
     
         49 .- 101 . (canceled)  
     
     
         102 . The reaction system of  claim 114 , wherein a volume containing the reaction region within the interior portion of the body structure is increased responsive to the change in at least one dimension of the remotely activatable control element.  
     
     
         103 .- 108 . (canceled)  
     
     
         109 . A reaction method, comprising: 
 receiving an electromagnetic control signal from a remote control signal source;    in response to the received electromagnetic control signal, modifying a reaction condition at a reaction region of a reaction device located in an environment by modifying the area of the reaction region through at least one of a mechanical, thermal, or chemical response of the remotely activatable control element to the electromagnetic control signal; and    releasing a product of the reaction into the environment.    
     
     
         110 . A reaction method, comprising: 
 receiving a material from an environment at a reaction region of a reaction device located in the environment;    receiving an electromagnetic control signal from a remote control signal source; and    in response to the received electromagnetic control signal, modifying the rate or kinetics of reaction of the material at the reaction region by modifying the area of the reaction region.    
     
     
         111 . A reaction system comprising: 
 a reaction device including: 
 a body structure adapted for positioning in an environment;  
 a reaction region located in or on the body structure, the reaction region including a first material capable of influencing a chemical reaction; and  
 a remotely activatable control element operably coupled to the body structure and responsive to an electromagnetic field control signal to undergo a change in configuration to modify one or more of the rate or kinetics of the chemical reaction; and  
   a remote control signal source capable of generating an electromagnetic control signal sufficient to activate the remotely activatable control element to produce a desired rate of the chemical reaction.    
     
     
         112 . The reaction system of  claim 111 , wherein the remotely activatable control element includes a polymer and a magnetically or electrically active component.  
     
     
         113 . The reaction system of  claim 112 , wherein the magnetically or electrically active component is capable of being heated or cooled by action of the electromagnetic control signal, wherein the change in configuration of the remotely activatable control element includes a change in configuration of the polymer in response to heating or cooling of the magnetically or electrically active component, and the change in configuration of the remotely activatable control element modifies the influence of the first material on the chemical reaction.  
     
     
         114 . The reaction system of  claim 111 , wherein the change in configuration includes a change in at least one dimension.  
     
     
         115 . The reaction system of  claim 114 , wherein a volume containing the reaction region within the interior portion of the body structure is increased responsive to the change in at least one dimension of the remotely activatable control element.