Method of delivering drug to brain via spinal cord

• US 20040220544A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Heruth, Kenneth T., Lent, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,662,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0007 Epidural catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0073 Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow general flow characteristics A61M2206/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0464 Cerebrospinal fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for delivering one or more drugs to one or more internal body locations (such as the cerebrospinal fluid) are disclosed. In various aspects, the systems and methods may involve catheters having infusion sections with permeable membranes that develop significant back pressure to enhance uniform delivery of the drug over an infusion section; catheters that have two or more infusion sections spaced apart along the length of the same catheter, catheters that include two or more infusion sections serviced by independent lumens (such that, e.g., different drug solutions can be delivered to the different infusion sections); implantable drug delivery systems with pumps and multiple reservoirs from which drugs can be delivered; systems that are capable of delivering drug solutions with selected densities; etc. Methods for treating diseases, including pain and spasticity are also discussed, as well as methods for screening patients and optimizing therapies. In addition, methods for delivering a drug to a brain through a spinal canal are described.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a first drug to a subject'"'"'s brain via the subject'"'"'s spinal canal, the method comprising:

infusing through an infusion section of a catheter a first hypobaric solution comprising the first drug to the subject'"'"'s cerebral spinal fluid within a first location in the subject'"'"'s spinal canal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location comprises a cervical region.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first solution is sufficiently hydrophilic that it remains in the subject'"'"'s cerebrospinal fluid for sufficient time for the first drug to enter the subject'"'"'s brain in an amount effective to treat a disease.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the catheter is coupled to an implantable pump assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering a second solution comprising a second drug to a spinal location of the subject.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second drug is isobaric or hyperbaric.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second drug is administered to a second spinal location.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first drug and the second drug are the same.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first drug and the second drug are morphine.

10. A method for reducing the amount of a drug that reaches a subject'"'"'s brain when introduced intrathecally, the method comprising:

infusing through an infusion section of a catheter a hyperbaric solution comprising the drug to the subject'"'"'s cerebral spinal fluid within the a location of subject'"'"'s spinal canal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the location comprises a sacral region or a lumbar region.