Medical Devices for Localized Drug Delivery
AssigneeMallinckrodt Inc.
InventorsGary L. Cantrell, David W. Berberich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an implantable medical device that includes a body having an internal cavity. Receptor sites in the internal cavity may be adapted to repeatedly bind to, temporarily hold, and release an active agent. An opening may extend through the body and into the internal cavity to allow the active agent into and out of the internal cavity. This opening may be sized and shaped to prevent blood cells from entering the internal cavity through the opening while allowing the active agent to enter and/or exit the cavity via the opening. A polymeric structure may be located in the internal cavity. This polymeric structure may include artificial receptor site mimics for the active agent.
Claims17
An implantable medical device, comprising:
- an elongate member configured in a plurality of circular turns forming a first helix, wherein the first helix defines an internal cavity, and wherein adjacent turns of the first helix define at least one opening connecting the internal cavity with an outside of the helix;
- and
- a polymeric structure disposed within the internal cavity, the polymeric structure having a plurality of artificial receptor site mimics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.