Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Artificial salivary gland
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Application No.: US15839498Application Date: 2017-12-12
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Publication No.: US10231818B2Publication Date: 2019-03-19
- Inventor: John Robert Kelly , Douglas J. Adams , Martin Allen Freilich
- Applicant: University of Connecticut
- Applicant Address: US CT Farmington
- Assignee: University of Connecticut
- Current Assignee: University of Connecticut
- Current Assignee Address: US CT Farmington
- Agency: McCarter & English, LLP
- Main IPC: A61C8/00
- IPC: A61C8/00 ; A61F2/02 ; A61F2/28 ; A61C19/06 ; A61C13/08 ; A61C5/50

Abstract:
Artificial salivary gland devices and assemblies are provided. The present disclosure provides artificial salivary pump/gland devices and assemblies, and related methods of use. One embodiment utilizes the interstitial/marrow fluid reservoir within the underlying mandibular or maxillary bone as a source for replacement saliva. The salivary pump/assembly, which is implantable in the mandibular or maxillary bone as a dental implant and driven by incidental tooth contact and masticatory forces, harvests interstitial/marrow fluid and treats it via semi-permeable membrane technology and soluble particles as a continuously available saliva replacement. Masticatory forces and tooth contact power the pump to both harvest interstitial/marrow fluid and drive flow through a bed of ion-exchange resins and/or soluble particles to adjust fluid chemistry providing a continuously available saliva-like solution. Exemplary devices and assemblies can also be utilized to introduce beneficial bacteria into the oral cavity and/or be utilized as a delivery system for drugs/therapeutic agents.
Public/Granted literature
- US20180110608A1 Artificial Salivary Gland Public/Granted day:2018-04-26
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