FLEXIBLE AND/OR ELASTIC BRACHYTHERAPY SEED OR STRAND

• US 20150238661A1
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Original Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Inventors: Kaplan, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,636,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0038 Radiosensitizing, i.e. administration of pharmaceutical agents that enhance the effect of radiotherapy radiotherapy per se A61N5/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/00 Preparations for testing in vivo
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0409 Physical forms of mixtures of two different X-ray contrast-enhancing agents, containing at least one X-ray contrast-enhancing agent which is not a halogenated organic compound
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1282 Devices used in vivo and carrying the radioactive therapeutic or diagnostic agent, therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic kits, stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/44 Radioisotopes, radionuclides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/45 Mixtures of two or more drugs, e.g. synergistic mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/02 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/18 Materials at least partially X-ray or laser opaque
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1023 Means for creating a row of seeds, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 : Interstitial radiation therapy

Abstract

A flexible or elastic brachytherapy strand that includes an imaging marker and/or a therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agent such as a drug in a biocompatible earner that can be delivered to a subject upon implantation into the subject through the bore of a brachytherapy implantation needle has been developed. Strands can be formed as chains or continuous arrays of seeds up to 50 centimeters or more, with or without spacer material, flaccid, rigid, or flexible.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A device/strand for administration of a therapeutic agent to a subject in need thereof comprising (a) a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent;

(b) a biocompatible component comprising a polymer;

(c) a radio-opaque material, wherein the radio-opaque material is encapsulated in the biocompatible component; and

(d) a polymeric coating, wherein the therapeutic agent is a small molecule, wherein the polymeric coating covers the device and wherein radiopaque material allows for the position of the strand to be determined following administration.

28. The device/strand of claim 27, wherein the radio-opaque material is imageable.

29. The device/strand of claim 27, wherein the radio-opaque material comprises a high Z element.

30. The device/strand of claim 27, wherein the device/strand is an implant.

31. The device/strand of claim 27 in the form of a rod or cylinder.

32. The device/strand of claim 31, wherein the rod comprises one or more pores or cavities.

33. The device/strand of claim 27, having a diameter between 0.5 and 3 mm and a length of 40 mm.

34. The device/strand of claim 33, wherein the strand has a diameter of 2 mm.

35. The device/strand of claim 31, wherein the rod has open ends.

36. A device/strand for administration of a therapeutic agent to a subject in need thereof comprising (a) a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent;

(b) a biocompatible component comprising a non-biodegradable polymer;

(c) a radio-opaque material, wherein the radio-opaque material is encapsulated in the biocompatible component; and

(d) a polymeric coating, wherein the therapeutic agent is a small molecule and wherein the polymeric coating covers the device.