Method of administering a therapeutically active substance

• US 20020058853A1
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Original Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Inventors: Kaplan, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,514,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0038 Radiosensitizing, i.e. administration of pharmaceutical agents that enhance the effect of radiotherapy radiotherapy per se A61N5/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0409 Physical forms of mixtures of two different X-ray contrast-enhancing agents, containing at least one X-ray contrast-enhancing agent which is not a halogenated organic compound
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1282 Devices used in vivo and carrying the radioactive therapeutic or diagnostic agent, therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic kits, stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0002 Galenical forms characterised by the drug release technique; Application systems commanded by energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1023 Means for creating a row of seeds, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/906 Drug delivery

Abstract

A method for administering a therapeutically active component including a non-adioactive drug to a target tissue in a subject includes the steps of: (a) providing a brachytherapy seed having a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge); (b) providing a brachytherapy implantation instrument comprising at least one brachytherapy implantation needle having a bore having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge), and being adapted to accept the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle and deliver the accepted implantation device into a target tissue; (c) introducing the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one implantation needle of the brachytherapy implantation instrument; (d) introducing at least a portion of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle into a target tissue in the subject; and (e) actuating the brachytherapy implantation instrument such that the brachytherapy seed is delivered through the bore of the brachytherapy implantation needle into the target tissue.

Claims

1. A method for administering a therapeutically active component to a target tissue in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a brachytherapy seed comprising a non-metal biocompatible component, a therapeutically active component comprising a non-radioactive drug, and a radiopaque marker, said biocompatible component being (a) physically associated with a therapeutically active component and (b) in contact with said radiopaque marker, wherein said brachytherapy seed has a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge);

providing a brachytherapy implantation instrument comprising at least one brachytherapy implantation needle having a bore having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge), and being adapted to accept the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle and deliver the accepted implantation device into a target tissue;

introducing the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one implantation needle of the brachytherapy implantation instrument;

introducing at least a portion of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle into a target tissue in the subject; and

actuating the brachytherapy implantation instrument such that the brachytherapy seed is delivered through the bore of the brachytherapy implantation needle into the target tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target tissue is a diseased tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target tissue is a prostate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible component and the therapeutically active component are formed into a plurality of microspheres.

5. A method administering a therapeutically active component to a target tissue in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a brachytherapy seed comprising a sealed container, and a non-metal biocompatible component, and a therapeutically active component comprising a non-radioactive drug, said biocompatible component being physically associated with the therapeutically active component to form a combination product; and

said sealed container being made of a nonbiodegradable substance, housing a radioisotope, and being at least partially coated with the combination product, wherein said brachytherapy seed having a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge);

providing a brachytherapy implantation instrument comprising at least one brachytherapy implantation needle having a bore having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge), and being adapted to accept the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle and deliver the accepted implantation device into a target tissue;

introducing the brachytherapy seed into the bore of the at least one implantation needle of the brachytherapy implantation instrument;

introducing at least a portion of the at least one brachytherapy implantation needle into a target tissue in the subject; and

actuating the brachytherapy implantation instrument such that the brachtherapy seed is delivered through the bore of the brachytherapy implantation needle into the target tissue.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the target tissue is a diseased tissue.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the target tissue is a prostate.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the biocompatible component and the radioactive component are formed into a plurality of microspheres.