Drug delivery and substance transfer facilitated by nano-enhanced device having aligned carbon nanotubes protruding from device surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nano-enhanced device for substance transfer between the device and a tissue. The device comprises a substrate with substantially aligned carbon nanotubes anchored within the substrate, and with at least one end of the carbon nanotubes protruding from the substrate. The protruding nanotube ends may be coated with a drug for delivery of the drug into body tissue. The present invention may be incorporated into an angioplasty catheter balloon or into a patch that is worn on the skin. The carbon nanotubes can be grouped in clusters to effectively form nano-needles which can transfer fluid to or from the subdermal tissue. The nano-needles can be used in conjunction with a sensor to ascertain body fluid information such as pH, glucose level, etc.

1 . A nano-enhanced device for substance transfer between the device and a tissue, comprising:
 a substrate; and   an array of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes having two ends, the carbon nanotubes being anchored within the substrate with at least one end protruding from the substrate, whereby the protruding carbon nanotubes enhance the substance transfer capabilities of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube array is coated with a substance selected from the group consisting of a drug and a gene. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the carbon nanotubes have side walls and where the nanotube array contains free spaces between the carbon nanotubes, and where the protruding ends of the anchored carbon nanotubes are free of coated substance and the substance coating area consists of an area selected from the group consisting of side walls of the carbon nanotubes and free spaces between the carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a patch to be worn on the tissue and an angioplasty balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the drug is paclitaxel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein delivery of the drug from the device to the tissue is enhanced by connection with a drug delivery enhancement device capable of performing an enhancement act selected from the group consisting of direct or indirect heating of at least a portion of the carbon nanotube array, passage of electrical current through at least a portion of the carbon nanotube array, laser or other optical stimulation of at least a portion of the carbon nanotube array, ultrasonic waves on at least a portion of the carbon nanotube array, mechanical vibration of at least a portion of the carbon nanotube array, and modifying the hydrophobicity of the nanotube array during fabrication. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the drug delivery enhancement device executes the enhancement act at a time selected from the group consisting of instantly and according to a timed sequence. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are arranged in one or more clusters, such that each cluster effectively functions as a needle. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate comprises a porous material, whereby substances may be transferred to or from the device and the tissue via inherent capillary action of the carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the porous substrate material is loaded with a substance to be transferred to the tissue via the carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the carbon nanotube clusters are patterned in a manner such that they are electrically isolated from one another, and where the device further comprises a sensor for reading electrical potentials of the nanotube clusters. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the carbon nanotubes have inherent electrical conductivity, and where the inherent electrical conductivity of the carbon nanotubes is modified by treatment of the carbon nanotubes with a pre-coated chemical. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a subset of the carbon nanotube clusters is treated with glucose oxidase, and another subset of the carbon nanotubes is treated with ferric cyanide, whereby conduction through the blood may be achieved and allows for measurement of the blood-glucose level.