Method and apparatus useful for delivering medicinal compositions into the bladder and urinary tract

• US 4,871,542 A
• Filed: 04/30/1987
• Issued: 10/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ferring Service Center NV Willemstad Curacao Netherlands Antilles 15 Pietermaal
• Original Assignee: Ferring Service Center NV
• Inventors: Vilhardt, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Application Number:
  US07/057,298
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 424/425, 424/423, 424/426, 604/892.1
• US Class Current: 424/423
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0034 Urogenital system, e.g. vagina, uterus, cervix, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder; Personal lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0092 Hollow drug-filled fibres, tubes of the core-shell type, coated fibres, coated rods, microtubules or nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for delivering medicinals to animal or human bladders. The apparatus is a polymeric, minicellular container surrounding an internal reservoir which contains the medicinal. The apparatus delivers the medicinal to the bladder at a prolonged, continuous and controlled rate.

Claims

1. A method for delivering medicinals to animal or human bladders and urinary tracts which comprises:

inserting into said bladder a polymeric, minicellular porous container, said container comprising an internal reservoir containing said medicinal and a flotation means effective to keep said container floating above the bladder outlet, wherein

said medicinal diffuses through the pores of said container and into said bladder and urinary tract in an effective amount at a programmed, continuous, and controlled rate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the size of the minicellular pores regulates diffusion of the medicinal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the floatation means is an air bubble or series of air bubbles.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric, minicellular porous container is formed into an O-shaped ring.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric, minicellular porous container is biodegradable.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric, minicellular porous container is made of polypropylene.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the medicinal is selected from the group consisting of anticancer agents, hormones, anesthetics, antiseptics, antibacterials, antibiotics, antivirals, antimicrobials, and diagnostics.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the medicinal is Mitomycin C.

9. A method of delivering medicinals to animal or human bladders and urinary tracts which comprises:

a. inserting a sealed polymeric container with a porous wall containing said medicinal and an isolated compartment containing a solution of osmotically active particles into the bladder;

b. contacting said osmotically active particles with a liquid such that the osmotically active particles imbibe the liquid and expand, thereby pressing the medicinal out of said sealed polymeric container; and

c. maintaining the medicinal in the bladder at a programmed, continuous and controlled rate.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the device is constructed from buoyant material.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said device contains a floatation means.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said floatation means is an air bubble or series of air bubbles.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said device is formed into an O-shaped ring.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said device is made of a biodegradable material.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the medicinal is selected from the group consisting of anticancer agents, hormones, anesthetics, antiseptics, antibacterials, antibiotics, antivirals, antimicrobials, and diagnostics.