DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TREATING ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

• US 20150051444A1
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matthew Zane Schwartz, Robert Matthew Douglas
• Original Assignee: Matthew Zane Schwartz, Robert Matthew Douglas
• Inventors: Schwartz, Matthew Zane, Douglas, Robert Matthew
• Application Number:
  US14/198,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/41 Devices for promoting penis erection penis implants A61F2/26; massage of the genitals A61H19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/417 Imidazole-alkylamines, e.g. histamine, phentolamine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/47 Quinolines; Isoquinolines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1021 Abdominal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/167 Penis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0521 Genital electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

Drug delivery systems, apparatus and methods to treat erectile dysfunction via an implanted drug infusion pump. The drug delivery system incorporates a passively pressurized drug infusion pump, one or more catheters, one or more microfluidic valves, a microcontroller, and one or more patient input mechanisms to deliver therapeutic solutions to the erectile tissues of a patient. The system in operation is entirely implanted and provides for moderated patient control over dosage via subcutaneously implanted input mechanisms, including in certain embodiments, neural control.

Claims

1. An implantable drug delivery system for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, comprising:

a passively pressurized drug infusion pump, one or more catheters, one or more microfluidic valves, a microcontroller, and one or more patient input mechanisms.

2. A method for the treatment of erectile dysfunction comprising:

implanting a drug delivery system within the body of a patient wherein

(a) the drug delivery system comprises a housing, one or more catheters, one or more microfluidic valves, and one or more patient input mechanisms;

(b) the housing encloses a propellant chamber, a drug reservoir containing a therapeutic selected to stimulate an erection, a microcontroller and a power source, and the housing further provides (i) a drug refill port in fluid communication with the drug reservoir and (ii) one or more outlet ports allowing fluid communication between the drug reservoir and the catheters;

(c) the drug delivery system further provides that the catheters have a proximal end in fluid communication with the housing outlet port and a distal end positioned in fluid communication with the corpora cavernosa of a subject, and wherein the one or more microfluidic valves are situated proximal to each catheter distal end;

wherein the method comprises implanting the housing and one or more patient input mechanisms within the body of the subject, wherein the patient input mechanisms are positioned subcutaneously so that they may register electrical, radio frequency or physical signals from outside the body of the subject;

and wherein the method further comprises the release of the therapeutic in response to a signal received by the patient input mechanism from outside the body of the subject, subject to the further condition that the microcontroller is not within a refractory period prohibiting delivery of a dosage of the therapeutic.