Abstract:
The invention describes a device for administering a therapeutic agent to a subject at a sustained rate over a period of time, the device being shaped, sized and adapted for administering the therapeutic agent into the region of the spinal column of the subject, the device comprising: an elongated first polymeric substrate having a proximal end, a distal end and diameter or width of about 1 mm to about 10 mm and a length of about 4 cm to about 35 cm; optionally, an elongated second polymeric substrate positioned within the first polymeric substrate; and at least one therapeutic agent, loaded into or onto the first polymeric substrate or second polymeric substrate or both, wherein the therapeutic agent is available for diffusion into the region of the spinal column of the subject.
Abstract:
Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation are provided that utilize a reversible phase transition material of a drug depot. When heat, cold or another suitable form of energy, e.g., ultrasound energy is applied to the reversible phase transition material, the release of an analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory agent from a drug depot is increased.
Abstract:
Effective treatments of pain and inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of fluocinolone at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat inflammation and pain and autoimmune disorders. In various embodiments, fluocinolone formulations may be provided within biodegradable polymers to reduce, prevent or treat sciatic pain and/or inflammation. In various embodiments, prevent transplant rejection for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the pain relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.
Abstract:
Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of sulindac or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at or near a target site, one can relieve pain and/or inflammation caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days, at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a therapeutically effective amount of clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer; wherein the depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the depot is capable of releasing (i) about 5% to about 45% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a first period of up to 48 hours and (ii) about 55% to about 95% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a subsequent period of at least 3 days.
Abstract:
An active agent delivery system that includes two or more active agents in a layer of a miscible polymer blend having at least two miscible polymers; wherein delivery of at least one of the active agents occurs predominantly under permeation control; and further wherein the permeability of the active agent that is to be released faster is greater than the permeability of the other one or more active agents.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for replenishing urease in a sorbent cartridge for use in sorbent dialysis. The system is configured to allow insertion of a urease pouch, injection of a urease solution, or addition of a urease cartridge, into a dialysis cabinet containing a dialysis flow loop. The urease can be dissolved and the resulting urease solution added to the sorbent cartridge in the flow loop to replenish the urease within the sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can also comprise other, rechargeable, sorbent materials for removing toxins other than urea from spent dialysate.
Abstract:
A system and method for determining the amount of fluid to be removed from a dialysis patient is disclosed. The system utilizes sensors and a computer. The computer obtains the input parameters from the sensors, along with information added directly by the user, and performs a forward algorithm to determine a recommended change in patient fluid level. As fluid is removed, the effect of the removal on the parameters is detected by the sensors and re-transmitted back to the computer. The computer then performs a backward algorithm to refine the variables used in the forward algorithm and obtain more accurate results. The system and method provide for changing the amount of fluid removed from the patient based on the results of the algorithm and the data received from the sensors.