Devices and methods for pain management
First Claim
1. A method of treating pain in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- implanting a controlled release drug delivery device in an implantation site in the body of the subject; and
delivering systemically from said drug delivery device a formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener in an amount effective to alleviate pain in the subject.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention features devices and methods for the systemic delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) to treat pain. In the present invention, a drug formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener is stored within a drug delivery device (e.g., contained in a reservoir or impregnated within a matrix within the controlled drug delivery device). The drug formulation comprises an amount of drug sufficient for treatment and is stable at body temperatures (i.e., no unacceptable degradation) for the entire pre-selected treatment period. The drug delivery devices store the drug formulation safely (e.g., without dose dumping), provide sufficient protection from bodily processes to prevent unacceptable degradation of the formulation, and release the drug formulation in a controlled fashion at a therapeutically effective rate to treat pain. In use, the drug delivery device is implanted in the subject'"'"'s body at an implantation site, and the drug formulation is released from the drug delivery device to a delivery site. The delivery site may be the same as, near, or distant from the implantation site. Once released at the delivery site, the drug formulation enters the systemic circulation and is transported to the site of action in the body to modulate the pain response (e.g., the brain or other pain sensory location).
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of treating pain in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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implanting a controlled release drug delivery device in an implantation site in the body of the subject; and
delivering systemically from said drug delivery device a formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener in an amount effective to alleviate pain in the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating pain in a subject suffering from pain, the method comprising:
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administering a formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener to a subject, said administering being by systemic delivery at a volume rate of less than about 2 ml/day;
wherein pain is alleviated in the subject. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for the treatment of pain, comprising:
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an implantable controlled drug delivery device for implanting at an implantable site in a patient in need of pain treatment, the device comprising a formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener;
wherein the implantable device is suitable for delivery of fentanyl or fentanyl congener into the systemic circulation in an amount effective for treatment of pain in the subject. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification