Claims

1. A medical device comprising:an implantable component which comprises a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs which contain reservoir contents for selective release or exposure;a rechargeable or on-demand power source which comprises a local component which is physically coupled to the implantable component, wherein the local component can wirelessly receive power from a remote transmitter; andactuation electronics to selectively control and direct the power from the local component to selectively open the reservoirs to release or expose the reservoir contents.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir contents comprises a sensor or component thereof.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote transmitter transmits the power in the form of electromagnetic energy or mechanical energy.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the remote transmitter transmits electromagnetic energy selected from radio frequency signals, microwave signals, infrared signals, ultraviolet signals, and combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the remote transmitter transmits the mechanical energy in the form of acoustic energy.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable power storage unit.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the rechargeable power storage unit comprises a capacitor or a rechargeable battery.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the rechargeable power storage unit further comprises a coil for the receipt of electromagnetic energy, a photocell, a hydrophone, or a combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an on-demand power unit.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises both an on-demand power unit and a rechargeable power storage unit.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuation electronics comprises components selected from the group consisting of multiplexers, demultiplexers, signal generators, signal oscillators, amplifiers, switches, potentiostats, and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a local controller for controlling the actuation electronics.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the local controller comprises a microprocessor.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the local controller or a component thereof receives signals from a biosensor.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising a telemetry system for the wireless transfer of data between the implantable component and a remote controller.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the implantable component comprises a receiver comprising a component selected from the group consisting of photocells, photodiodes, phototransistors, and ultrasonic receivers.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the remote controller comprises a light-emitting diode, a laser, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the reservoir contents comprise a drug.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the implantable component further comprises a discrete reservoir cap positioned over the reservoir contents in each reservoir and release or exposure of the reservoir contents is controlled by disintegration of the reservoir cap.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the reservoir cap comprises a metal film.

21. The device of claim 203 wherein the substrate comprises silicon.

22. An implantable device for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents in a human or animal comprising:a substrate having a plurality of discrete reservoirs which contain reservoir contents for selective release or exposure;a power component which converts mechanical or chemical energy from the body of the human or animal into power which can be used to activate the release or exposure of the reservoir contents; andactuation electronics to selectively control and direct the power from the power component to selectively open the reservoirs to release or expose the reservoir contents.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the power component transduces a mechanical force produced by motion of the body or a part thereof into the power.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the component comprises a biofuel cell which generates the power by chemically reacting a molecule present in the body.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the reservoir content comprises a sensor or component thereof.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the reservoir contents comprises a drug.

27. The device of claim 22, wherein the substrate further comprises a plurality of discrete reservoir caps positioned over the reservoir contents and release or exposure of the reservoir contents is controlled by disintegration of the reservoir caps.