Implantable drug delivery system

• US 7,621,907 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodstrom, Theron Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOULTON, ELIZABETH ROSE
• Application Number:
  US10/385,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20030176854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,450 Days
• Field of Search: 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 604/93.01
• US Class Current: 604/892.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An implantable medicament delivery device includes a core body which further includes a single basin or multiple smaller basins for containing a drug or a medicament. Each basin is covered by a screen. The implantable drug delivery device is placed within the body of an animal, and the drug is allowed to diffuse through the holes in the screen to provide treatment of a disease or condition.

Claims

1. An implantable medicament delivery device comprising:

a basin constructed and arranged to contain the medicament, said basin being surrounded by a basin containment portion formed from a non-permeable material;

one or more screens, each screen of the one or more screens including a predetermined pattern of bi-directional flow empty holes for controlling the free flow of dissolved medicament therethrough, each pattern of holes of each screen being encircled by a band constructed and arranged to cover the top or bottom of said basin when said band is affixed to said basin containment portion, each screen of the one or more screens having a thickness from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm and said bi-directional flow empty holes having a size from about 0.2 microns to about 100 microns;

wherein the bi-directional flow empty holes assure that a required amount of medicament is delivered at a needed flow rate therethrough and wherein said flow rate is based upon one or more factors selected from the group including solubility of the medicament, medicament dissolution rate and medicament concentration and wherein the bi-directional flow empty holes are the exclusive mechanism for controlling the free flow of dissolved medicament and wherein the basin is arranged to contain the medicament without containing any plunger or alternative device for aiding flow of the dissolved medicament.

2. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein the one or more screens include at least two screens.

3. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein said basin passes through said basin containment portion.

4. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein said basin containment portion is substantially planar.

5. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein said basin includes a plurality of sections separated by an impermeable barrier.

6. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein said one or more screens are made from silicon.

7. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 2 wherein said basin is made from silicon.

8. The implantable medicament delivery device as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least two screens are made from silicon.

9. A device for delivering medicament within the body of an animal in close proximity to a condition treatable by said medicament, said device comprising:

a basin containment portion having a first face, a second face, a perimeter, and a medicament basin between said first face and said second face of said basin containment portion being formed from a non-permeable material;

one or more screens, each screen of the one or more screens including a predetermined pattern of bi-directional flow empty holes for controlling the release of dissolved medicament therethrough, each pattern of holes of each screen being encircled by a band, said band being affixed to said first face or said second face of said basin containment portion near the intersection of said basin respectively with said first face or said second face of said basin containment portion;

each screen of the one or more screen having a thickness from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm and said bi-directional flow empty holes having a size from about 0.2 microns to about 100 microns;

wherein the bi-directional flow empty holes assure that a required amount of medicament is delivered at a needed flow rate therethrough and wherein said flow rate is based upon one or more factors selected from the group including solubility of the medicament, medicament dissolution rate and medicament concentration and wherein the bi-directional flow empty holes are the exclusive mechanism for controlling the free flow of dissolved medicament and wherein the basin is arranged to contain the medicament without containing any plunger or alternative device for aiding flow of the dissolved medicament.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein the one or more screens include at least two screens.

11. The device as defined in claim 10 wherein said basin in said basin containment portion includes a plurality of smaller basins separated one from another by an impermeable wall.

12. The device is defined in claim 9 wherein said one or more screens are made from silicon.

13. The device is defined in claim 10 wherein said at least two screens are made from silicon.