Biodegradable non-ophthalmic implants and related methods

A method of treating a patient, comprising:

• administering a biodegradable non-ophthalmic implant comprising a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymer and a medically useful agent distributed throughout the PLGA copolymer in the form of a non-ophthalmic implant to an organ of the patient to treat localized cancer tumors or pre-cancerous tissue of the organ, the organ selected from the group consisting of the brain, the pancreas, the kidneys, the liver, the prostate gland, and the breasts, the PLGA copolymer comprising about 75% by weight acid end PLGA and about 25% by weight ester end PLGA, and comprising about 50% lactide and about 50% glycolide, wherein the implant releases the medically useful agent to the target site organ for extended periods of time.

19-26. (canceled)

A method of treating a patient, comprising:

• administering a biodegradable non-ophthalmic implant comprising a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymer and a medically useful agent distributed throughout the PLGA copolymer in the form of a non-ophthalmic implant to a target site in the central nervous system of the patient, the PLGA copolymer comprising about 75% by weight acid end PLGA and about 25% by weight ester end PLGA, and comprising about 50% lactide and about 50% glycolide, wherein the implant releases the medically useful agent to the target site for extended periods of time.