NANOCHANNELED DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20120095443A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Ferrari, Mauro, Liu, Xuewu, Grattoni, Alessandro, Goodall, Randy, Hudson, Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/513
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0097 Micromachined devices; Microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]; Devices obtained by lithographic treatment of silicon; Devices comprising chips intradermal microneedle arrays A61K9/0021; MEMS in general B81B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/00 Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests vaccination appliances for veterinary use A61D1/025 ; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; combinations of vial and syringe for mixing or transferring their contents A61J1/20; holders for containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2203/0338 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00119 Arrangement of basic structures like cavities or channels, e.g. suitable for microfluidic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]

Abstract

A capsule configured for in vivo refilling of a thereapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the capsule may contain methotrexate.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a capsule;

a bladder located within the capsule;

a first port where the first port extends through the capsule and bladder; and

a second port where the second port extends through the capsule but does not extend through the bladder.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capsule comprises a nanochannel delivery device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the nanochannel delivery device is in fluid communication with the bladder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port and the second port are configured so that the first port and the second port can be accessed externally when the capsule is implanted in vivo.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capsule is generally disc-shaped and comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the first port and the second port are both located on either the first side or the second side.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capsule comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first port and the second port are aligned when the capsule is viewed from the first end or the second end.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the capsule comprises a primary axis extending from the first end to the second end and wherein a reference line connecting the first port and the second port is generally parallel to the primary axis.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port comprises a first septum and the second port comprises a second septum.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first septum and the second septum are self-sealing after being punctured by a needle.

10. A method of in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent contained in a capsule, the method comprising:

implanting in vivo a capsule comprising a first port, a second port, and an internal bladder, wherein the first port extends through the capsule and the internal bladder and the second port extends through capsule but does not extend through the bladder;

inserting a first needle into the first port;

inserting a second needle into the second port;

injecting therapeutic agent into the first port; and

withdrawing fluid from the second port.

11. A method of in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent contained in a capsule, the method comprising:

implanting in vivo a capsule comprising a first port that extends through the capsule;

inserting a needle into the first port, wherein;

the needle comprises a first lumen that extends into the capsule a first distance;

the needle comprises a second lumen that extends into the capsule a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance;

extracting fluid from the capsule with the first needle or second needle; and

injecting the therapeutic agent into the capsule with the first needle or the second needle, wherein the needle used to inject the thereapeutic agent is not the same needle that is used to extract the fluid from the capsule.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein extracting the fluid from the capsule and injecting the therapeutic agent into the capsule are performed at the same time.

13. A method of treating a condition of a person, the method comprising:

providing a nanochannel delivery device;

providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the nanochannel delivery device;

providing methotrexate in the reservoir; and

administering the methotrexate to the person via the nanochannel delivery device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the methotrexate is administered to treat adult rheumatoid arthritis.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the methotrexate is administered to treat psoriasis.