Device for delivery of a substance

• US 8,795,721 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eatlittle Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Eatlittle Incorporated
• Inventors: Mintchev, Martin Pavlov, Yadid-Pecht, Orly, Fattouche, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARPENTER, WILLIAM R
• Application Number:
  US12/517,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,422 Days
• Field of Search: 424/473, 424/456, 424/484, 424/451, 424/457, 424/458, 424/485, 606/191, 606/192, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1
• US Class Current: 424/458
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0065 Forms with gastric retention, e.g. floating on gastric juice, adhering to gastric mucosa, expanding to prevent passage through the pylorus
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/009 Sachets, pouches characterised by the material or function of the envelope with gastric retention A61K9/0065; sachets which are not administered but function merely as a container are classified according to the content, e.g. sachets comprising powder for reconstitution of a drink A61K9/0095
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• 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

A device for delivering a substance in situ in a body comprising at least one permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension and having contained therein the substance to be delivered; and at least one expandable particle comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of expanding when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the device is positioned in situ, bodily fluid permeates the container causing the at least one expandable particle contained therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension so that the device remains in situ for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired delivery of the substance is provided.

Claims

1. A device for delivering a substance in situ in a body, comprising:

(a) at least one permeable expandable sac having a first dimension that is expandable into a larger second dimension and having contained therein the substance to be delivered;

(b) at least one expandable particle comprising a swellable material contained within the sac and capable of expanding when contacted with a fluid;

(c) a carrier;

(d) at least one coupling member that ties the at least one sac closed and also couples the at least one sac to the carrier; and

(e) a decoupling mechanism configured and operable to disrupt the at least one coupling member in a manner that both decouples the at least one sac from the carrier, and also opens up the at least one sac in order to release the at least one expandable particle therefrom

whereby when the device is positioned in situ, bodily fluid permeates the at least one sac, thereby causing the at least one expandable particle contained therein to swell and the at least one sac to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension so that the device remains in situ for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired delivery of the substance, after which time the decoupling mechanism disrupts the at least one coupling member and thereby separates the at least one sac from the carrier and also opens up the at least one sac and releases the at least one swelled particle therefrom.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the substance is releasably associated with the at least one expandable particle.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one substance carrying particle has a size that is smaller than a size to which the at least one expandable particle is configured to swell under exposure thereof to the bodily fluid.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one substance carrying particle contained within the at least one sac that is distinct from the at least one expandable particle, whereby the substance is releasably associated with the at least one substance carrying particle and the opening up of the at least one sac by the decoupling mechanism releases said at least one substance carrying particle from the at least one sac together with the at least one swelled particle.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one substance carrying particle is free-floating inside the at least one sac, independently of the at least one expandable particle.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least two sacs, each of which is releasably coupled to the carrier by a respective coupling member.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling member is selected from the group comprising a absorbable biodegradable surgical suture, a piece of biodegradable medical gauze, an absorbable net-like nanostructure, biocompatible glue, or combinations thereof.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier has a compartment, and the decoupling mechanism comprises at least one decoupler located in the compartment.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a dissolvable shell in which the at least one sac, the carrier and the decoupling mechanism are encapsulated.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of expandable particles, wherein each particle is designed not to have a diameter greater than about 1.0 cm in diameter when swelled.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling member has one end that ties the sac closed and another end that is attached to the carrier.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the decoupling mechanism comprises a miniature heater.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one expandable particle comprises a plurality of expandable particles contained within a same one of the at least on sac.

14. A method for delivering a substance in a given cavity or orifice of a body, comprising:

(a) administering at least one substance delivery device as claimed in claim 1 into the cavity or orifice;

(b) contacting the substance delivery device with bodily fluids to allow for the expandable particles to swell and prevent the substance delivery device from exiting the orifice or the cavity;

(c) allowing the substance to be released from the substance releasing device; and

(d) after a desired period of time, allowing the substance delivery device to disassemble via the decoupling mechanism so that the substance delivery device can harmlessly exit from the body or be rapidly absorbed.