Methods and systems for neural maintenance and regeneration

• US 8,267,920 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2007
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Jung, Edward K. Y., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAY, PHILLIP A
• Application Number:
  US11/891,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,867 Days
• Field of Search: 604/131, 6048901-8921, 604 65- 67, 604275-279
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/185 Nerve growth factor [NGF]; Brain derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]; Ciliary neurotrophic factor [CNTF]; Glial derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF]; Neurotrophins, e.g. NT-3
• 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: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0643 Tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/00 Drugs for disorders of the senses

Abstract

Methods and systems are described that release one or both of a neurotrophin and an inhibitor of the degradation of the neurotrophin within or in the vicinity of a highly innervated tissue. In some embodiments, the method includes regulating the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor of degradation over time. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoring the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The system may include a device or multiple devices for the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor as well as a controller. In some embodiments the system may include a sensor device and/or an imaging device capable of detecting the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The release of the neurotrophin and inhibitor of degradation may be part of a controlled release system and regulated over time.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a neurotrophin release device including a neurotrophin reservoir having at least one neurotrophin, the neurotrophin release device configured for releasing the at least one neurotrophin;

an inhibitor release device including an inhibitor reservoir having at least one inhibitor of degradation of the at least one neurotrophin, the inhibitor release device configured for releasing the at least one inhibitor of degradation of the at least one neurotrophin;

a detector configured to sense a concentration of the at least one neurotrophin and output a sensing signal;

a controller capable of regulating the release of at least one of the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device or the at least one inhibitor of degradation from the inhibitor release device, the controller programmed to control cooperatively releasing the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device and the at least one inhibitor of degradation of neurotrophin from the inhibitor release device in order to elevate a concentration of the at least one neurotrophin in response to receiving the sensing signal from the detector; and

a connection between the controller and at least one of the neurotrophin release device or the inhibitor release device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller generates at least one control signal that is transmitted to at least one of said neurotrophin release device and said inhibitor release device via said connection.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said neurotrophin release device and said inhibitor release device are implantable within the body of a mammal.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of sensing a concentration of the at least one neurotrophin.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising an imaging device adapted to receive information from the sensor and capable of displaying the information from the sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to control releasing the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device and the at least one inhibitor of degradation of neurotrophin from the inhibitor release device in order to regulate the concentration of the at least one neurotrophin at least one target level.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to control releasing the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device and the at least one inhibitor of degradation of neurotrophin from the inhibitor release device in order to modulate the concentration of the at least one neurotrophin toward at least one target level.

8. A system comprising:

a neurotrophin release device including a neurotrophin reservoir having at least one neurotrophin, the neurotrophin release device configured for releasing the at least one neurotrophin;

an inhibitor release device including an inhibitor reservoir having at least one inhibitor of degradation of the at least one neurotrophin, the inhibitor release device configured for releasing the at least one inhibitor of degradation of the at least one neurotrophin;

a detector configured to sense a concentration of the at least one neurotrophin and output a sensing signal;

a controller capable of regulating the release of at least one of the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device or the at least one inhibitor of degradation from the inhibitor release device,

wherein during operation of the system and in response to receiving the sensing signal from the detector, the controller directs cooperatively releasing the at least one neurotrophin from the neurotrophin release device and the at least one inhibitor of degradation of neurotrophin from the inhibitor release device in order to elevate a concentration of the at least one neurotrophin; and

a connection between the controller and at least one of the neurotrophin release device or the inhibitor release device.