Implanting devices for the focal release of neuroinhibitory compounds

• US 5,474,547 A
• Filed: 12/16/1993
• Issued: 12/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neurotech S.A. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Brown University
• Inventors: Aebischer, Patrick, Tresco, Patrick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELGART, VANITHA M
• Application Number:
  US08/168,858
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 604/49, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/27, 604/28, 604/93, 604/56, 604/43, 604/116, 623/11, 623/12, 424/422-424, 128/897-899, 435/41, 435/180, 435/182
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/022 Artificial gland structures using bioreactors hemodialysis A61M1/16; hemofiltration A61M1/34; other extracorporeal blood treatment A61M1/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2035/126 Immunoprotecting barriers, e.g. jackets, diffusion chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/14 Quaternary ammonium compounds, e.g. edrophonium, choline betaines A61K31/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/195 having an amino group
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/39 Pancreas; Islets of Langerhans Langerhans cells of epidermis A61K35/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/54 Ovaries; Ova; Ovules; Embryos; Foetal cells; Germ cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0085 Brain, e.g. brain implants; Spinal cord
• 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 2210/0687 Skull, cranium
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/02 Making microcapsules or microballoons for medical preparations A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/04 entrapped within the carrier, e.g. gel or hollow fibres
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/30 Synthetic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0012 Cell encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0614 Adrenal gland
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0619 Neurons
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0676 : Pancreatic cells

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for the alleviation of movement disorders via the implantation of static devices which focally release neuroinhibitory compounds to preselected brain areas. Pathological conditions to be treated by these methods include parkinsonian movement disorders, Huntington'"'"'s chorea, and epileptiform seizure activity. In the treatment of parkinsonism, target areas implantation include the subthalamic nucleus, the globus pallidus internus, and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. In the treatment of epilepsy, implants may be placed in an epileptogenic focus area of neural over-activity. The devices may be polymeric implants that release neuroinhibitory compounds such as GABA, GABA agonists, GABA potentiators, action potential blockers and voltage dependent calcium channel blockers, and glutamate antagonists. Alternatively, the devices may contain living cells which secrete neuroinhibitory compounds.

Claims

1. A method for alleviating parkinsonian movement disorders in an individual having the same, comprising

implanting a static device adjacent a brain area within the basal ganglia of said individual, said brain area selected from the group consisting of the subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus internus, and substantia nigra pars reticulata,

said device focally releasing at least one compound which acts to inhibit over-activity in at least one neuron within said brain area,

said compound being selected from the group consisting of GABA, GABA agonists, GABA potentiators, action potential blockers, voltage dependent calcium channel blockers, glutamate antagonists, phenytoin, carbamezepine, valproate, barbiturates, benzodiazapines, ethosuximide, tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin, and conotoxins,

said inhibition effecting the disruption of neural over-activity within said basal ganglia,

said disruption effecting the alleviation of said parkinsonian movement disorders.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said neuron receives functional presynaptic input.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is secreted from living cells contained within said device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of NIT cells, islet derived cells, and oviduct derived cells.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said cells are genetically engineered to secrete said compound.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said compound is omega-conotoxin.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said movement disorders are associated with the loss of dopamine releasing neurons of the substantia nigra in Parkinson'"'"'s disease.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is GABA.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said brain area within the basal ganglia of said individual is the subthalamic nucleus.