IMPLANTABLE DEVICES AND METHODS FOR EVALUATION OF ACTIVE AGENTS
First Claim
1. An implantable microdevice comprising:
- a support structure having microwells on a surface of or formed within the support structure;
optionally including a compound release mechanism for controlling the release of an active agent from the microwells;
wherein the device is configured to permit implantation into a tissue using a catheter, cannula or biopsy needle, andwherein the device is further configured to release one or more active agents from the microwells to separate and discrete areas of tissue adjacent to the microwell.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for the local delivery of microdose amounts of one or more active agents, alone or in combination, in one or more dosages, to selected tissue of a patient are described. The devices generally include multiple microwells arranged on or within a support structure and contain one or more active agents, alone or in combination, in one or more dosages and/or release pharmacokinetics. In an exemplary embodiment, the device has a cylindrical shape, having symmetrical wells on the outside of the device, each well containing one or more drugs, at one or more concentrations, sized to permit placement using a catheter, cannula, or stylet. Optionally, the device has a guidewire, and fiber optics, sensors and/or interactive features such as remote accessibility to provide for in situ retrieval of information and modification of device release properties. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optics and/or sensors are individually accessible to discrete wells.
15 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. An implantable microdevice comprising:
-
a support structure having microwells on a surface of or formed within the support structure;
optionally including a compound release mechanism for controlling the release of an active agent from the microwells;wherein the device is configured to permit implantation into a tissue using a catheter, cannula or biopsy needle, and wherein the device is further configured to release one or more active agents from the microwells to separate and discrete areas of tissue adjacent to the microwell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for determining efficacy of a compound in vivo or in situ comprising implanting using a catheter, cannula or biopsy need inserted into a tissue within an organism an implantable microdevice comprising:
-
a support structure having microwells on a surface of or formed within the support structure, the microwells each containing and releasing after implantation one or more active agents selected from the group consisint of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents, the microwells optionally including a compound release mechanism for controlling the release of an active agent from the microwells; wherein the device is configured to permit implantation into a tissue using a catheter, cannula or biopsy needle, and wherein the device is further configured to release one or more active agents from the microwells to separate and discrete areas of tissue adjacent to the microwell. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification