Batteries and methods of manufacture and use
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.
1. A method for treating an area of biologic tissue, the method comprising:
determining a size of the area of biologic tissue for treatment;
selecting an apparatus that includes a substrate having an active surface that is at least as large as the size of the area of biologic tissue, the active surface having a first pattern of multiple first discrete reservoirs interleaved with a second pattern of multiple second discrete reservoirs to form an alternating arrangement of the first and second reservoirs on the active surface of the substrate, the first reservoirs including a reducing agent, and the second reservoirs including an oxidizing agent;
applying the apparatus in contact with the area of biologic tissue;
securing the apparatus to the area of biologic tissue to remain in contact with the area of biologic tissue for a period of time; and
producing, in response to the applying operation, redox reactions between adjacent ones of first reservoir surfaces of the first reservoirs and the second reservoir surfaces of the second reservoirs on the active surface to provide current between the first and second reservoirs capable of penetrating the area of biologic tissue to treat the area of biologic tissue.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
activating the active surface by positioning an activation material between the active surface and the area of biologic tissue, wherein the currents are generated between the adjacent ones of the first and second discrete reservoirs in the presence of the activation material.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
each of the first discrete reservoirs exhibits a first diameter of approximately 2 mm;
each of the second discrete reservoirs exhibits a second diameter of approximately 1 mm; and
a lateral spacing between corresponding perimeters of adjacent ones of the first discrete reservoirs and the second discrete reservoirs is in a range of approximately 0.5 - 2.0 mm so that the first discrete reservoirs do not physically contact the second discrete reservoirs.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reducing agent includes silver, the oxidizing agent includes zinc, the amount of zinc in each of the multiple second discrete reservoirs being approximately half of the amount of silver in each of the multiple first discrete reservoirs, and the method further comprises:
upon depletion of the zinc in the multiple second discrete reservoirs in response to the redox reaction produced between the first reservoir surfaces and the second reservoir surfaces, retaining the apparatus in contact with the area of biologic tissue to provide anti-microbial effects of a remaining portion of the silver in the area of biologic tissue.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the multiple first discrete reservoirs includes a binder material attached with the reducing agent, each of the multiple second discrete reservoirs includes the binder material attached with the oxidizing agent, and the method further comprises:
degrading the binder material in the multiple first and second discrete reservoirs in the presence of an activation material;
exposing, in response the degrading operation, the reducing agent to the first reservoir surfaces of the first discrete reservoirs; and
exposing, in response the degrading operation, the oxidizing agent to the second reservoir surfaces of the second discrete reservoirs.