# US 10,117,774 B2 · Apparatus and methods for delivering therapeutic agents > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,774 B2 - Document ID: US10117774B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/931,007 - Filed: 2013-06-28 - Published: 2013-11-07 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-20 - Assignees: University of Southern California - Applicants: University of Southern California - Inventors: Mark S. Humayun; Sean Caffey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117774B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/0017: {implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts} - A61F 9/0026: {Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye} - 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)} - A61P 25/00: Drugs for disorders of the nervous system - A61P 25/28: for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia - A61P 27/02: Ophthalmic agents - A61P 27/06: Antiglaucoma agents or miotics - A61P 27/14: Decongestants or antiallergics - A61P 29/00: Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID] - A61P 31/22: for herpes viruses - A61P 35/00: Antineoplastic agents - A61P 43/00: Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00 - A61F 2250/0068: the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS ## Abstract In various embodiments, a drug-delivery device includes one or more reservoirs that may each contain a therapeutic agent for delivery to a patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drug-delivery device, comprising: a first reservoir for containing a first liquid that comprises or consists essentially of a first therapeutic agent; a second reservoir for containing a second liquid that comprises or consists essentially of a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent; and a cannula having first, second and third portions, the second and third portions branching off from the first portion to communicate fluidically with the first and second reservoirs, respectively; a first fluid-flow isolation structure located in the second portion; a second fluid-flow isolation structure located in the third portion; memory for storing a drug-delivery regimen; a microprocessor for controlling a delivery of the first and second liquids to a patient through the cannula based on an execution of the stored drug-delivery regimen; and a sensor for detecting a measured eye pressure for the patient; wherein the first and second fluid-flow isolation structures prevent fluidic communication between the first and second reservoirs and isolate the first and second reservoirs from an external environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second therapeutic agents treats at least one of age-related macular degeneration, macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy, or macular edema associated with retinovascular occlusive diseases. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second therapeutic agents is selected from the group consisting of ranibizumab, pegaptanib, verteporfin, bevacizumab, a steroid, a drug that prevents beta amyloid deposition in the retina, an anti-human complement activation blocker that blocks complement H activation in the eye, and siRNA molecules. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the first and second therapeutic agents treat two different maladies selected from the group consisting of glaucoma, ocular hypertension, age-related macular degeneration, macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy, macular edema associated with retinovascular occlusive diseases, low tear production, cytomegalovirus retinitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, itching and allergic conjunctivitis, post-operative eye inflammation, inflammation of the cornea due to herpes simplex virus, postoperative inflammation after cataract extraction, corneal ulcers, and Sjögren's syndrome. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, further comprising first and second pumps for delivering the first and second liquids to the patient, respectively, wherein the microprocessor issues instructions to actuate the first pump separately from the second pump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for receiving feedback from the patient, the microprocessor being configured to modify the drug-delivery regimen based on the feedback. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting the patient's position and activity, the microprocessor determining at least one of a frequency, time, or dosage of at least one of the first or second liquid delivered to the patient based thereon and responsively controlling delivery of the at least one of the first or second liquid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for receiving wireless instructions that reprogram the drug-delivery regimen. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the sensor monitors physiological effects of at least one of the first or second therapeutic agent present for determining the residual amount of the at least one of the first or second therapeutic agent in the patient's tissue. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drug-delivery device of claim 1, further comprising one or more valves, different from the first and second fluid-flow isolation structures, disposed in the at least one cannula, wherein the one or more valves controls fluid delivery, maintains a constant flow rate independent of variations in pressure driving a fluid flow through the cannula, and prevents backflow. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drug-delivery device of claim 10, further comprising a secondary valve that is independently in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs for separately controlling fluid delivery therefrom. ### Claim 12 A drug-delivery device, comprising: a first reservoir for containing a first liquid that comprises or consists essentially of a first therapeutic agent; a second reservoir for containing a second liquid that comprises or consists essentially of a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent; a cannula having first, second and third portions, the second and third portions branching off from the first portion to communicate fluidically with the first and second reservoirs, respectively; a first fluid-flow isolation structure located in the second portion; a second fluid-flow isolation structure located in the third portion; an electrolysis chamber including a gas-impermeable flexible membrane configured to expand and contract with increases and decreases in pressure in the electrolysis chamber, the flexible membrane also constituting a portion of at least one of the first or second reservoir; at least two electrodes in the electrolysis chamber, the electrodes being responsive to the microprocessor to produce gas in the electrolysis chamber to expand the membrane and thereby force liquid from at least one of the first or second reservoir through the cannula; memory for storing a drug-delivery regimen; and a microprocessor for controlling a delivery of the first and second liquids to a patient through the cannula based on an execution of the stored drug-delivery regimen wherein the first and second fluid-flow isolation structures prevent fluidic communication between the first and second reservoirs and isolate the first and second reservoirs from an external environment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising first and second pumps for delivering the first and second liquids to the patient, respectively, wherein the microprocessor issues instructions to actuate the first pump separately from the second pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising a sensor for receiving feedback from the patient, the microprocessor being configured to modify the drug-delivery regimen based on the feedback. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising a sensor for detecting the patient's position and activity, the microprocessor determining at least one of a frequency, time, or dosage of at least one of the first or second liquid delivered to the patient based thereon and responsively controlling delivery of the at least one of the first or second liquid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising a transceiver for receiving wireless instructions that reprogram the drug-delivery regimen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising a sensor for detecting a measured eye pressure for the patient. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The drug-delivery device of claim 17, wherein the sensor monitors physiological effects of at least one of the first or second therapeutic agent present for determining the residual amount of the at least one of the first or second therapeutic agent in the patient's tissue. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The drug-delivery device of claim 12, further comprising one or more valves, different from the first and second fluid-flow isolation structures, disposed in the at least one cannula, wherein the one or more valves controls fluid delivery, maintains a constant flow rate independent of variations in pressure driving a fluid flow through the cannula, and prevents backflow. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The drug-delivery device of claim 19, further comprising a secondary valve that is independently in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs for separately controlling fluid delivery therefrom.