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Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to treat sinusitis and other disorders

  • US 9,039,680 B2
  • Filed: 04/21/2008
  • Issued: 05/26/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for delivering a substance to a location within a nasal cavity, paranasal sinus or opening into a paranasal sinus, of a human or animal subject to treat a disorder, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) obtaining or providing a device that comprises;

    (i) a reservoir that is substantially free of the substance but which may subsequently be loaded with said substance, said reservoir being sufficiently small to fit through an opening into the paranasal sinus,(ii) a catheter coupled with the reservoir for filling the reservoir with the substance, wherein a detachable portion of the catheter is detachable and removable after the reservoir has been filled, thereby leaving a non-detached portion of the catheter connected to the reservoir after the detachable portion of the catheter has been detached and removed,(iii) a closure apparatus comprising a one way valve that allows substance to be introduced through the catheter into the reservoir but prevents the substance from flowing back out of the reservoir, the detachable portion of the catheter being proximal to the closure apparatus such that the closure apparatus remains with the reservoir after the detachable portion of the catheter has been detached and removed, and(iv) a barrier surrounding at least part of the reservoir such that substance that has been loaded into the reservoir will pass out of the reservoir through the barrier at a known rate,wherein the reservoir is configured such that, when the reservoir is implanted and loaded with said substance, the reservoir will assume a configuration such that the reservoir defines at least one flow channel through which mucus or other biological fluid may drain, wherein the at least one flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the barrier and an anatomical surface;

    (b) inserting the reservoir of the device into the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus or opening into a paranasal sinus; and

    (c) thereafter loading the substance into the reservoir, wherein the act of loading the substance into the reservoir includes urging the substance through a lumen extending longitudinally through the reservoir, wherein the lumen is contained within the reservoir.

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