Methods and systems for neural maintenance and regeneration

• US 20080033403A1
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward, Wood, Lowell, Ishikawa, Muriel
• Application Number:
  US11/891,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20080033403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/185 Nerve growth factor [NGF]; Brain derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]; Ciliary neurotrophic factor [CNTF]; Glial derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF]; Neurotrophins, e.g. NT-3
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• 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: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0643 Tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/00 Drugs for disorders of the senses

Abstract

Methods and systems are described that release one or both of a neurotrophin and an inhibitor of the degradation of the neurotrophin within or in the vicinity of a highly innervated tissue. In some embodiments, the method includes regulating the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor of degradation over time. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoring the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The system may include a device or multiple devices for the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor as well as a controller. In some embodiments the system may include a sensor device and/or an imaging device capable of detecting the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The release of the neurotrophin and inhibitor of degradation may be part of a controlled release system and regulated over time.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an implantable device capable of releasing a neurotrophin within a sensory organ of a mammal; and

an implantable device capable of releasing at least one inhibitor of degradation of the neurotrophin within the sensory organ.

2. The system as in claim 1 wherein the device that releases the neurotrophin and the device that releases an inhibitor of degradation of the neurotrophin are the same device.

3. The system as in claim 1 wherein the implantable device capable of releasing the neurotrophin includes a means to regulate the release of the neurotrophin over time.

4. The system as in claim 1 wherein the implantable device capable of releasing at least one inhibitor of degradation of the neurotrophin includes a means to regulate the release of at least one inhibitor over time.

5. The system as in claim 1 further comprising:

an external controller capable of controlling at least one of the implantable devices; and

a connection between the implanted device or devices and the external control device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said connection is a wireless connection.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said external controller includes a microprocessor.

8. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor device capable of monitoring the release of the neurotrophin over time.

9. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor device capable of monitoring the release of at least one inhibitor of degradation of the neurotrophin over time.

10. The system as in claim 8, further comprising:

an imaging device capable of imaging the levels of the neurotrophin within a therapeutically effective region of the sensory organ.

11. The system as in claim 8, further comprising;

an implantable device capable of releasing a neural support substance within a neural support tissue of a mammal.

12. The system as in claim 8, further comprising;

an implantable device capable of releasing a neural support substance in the vicinity of a neural support tissue of a mammal.

13-127. -127. (canceled)