# US 2014/0154236 A1 · Devices and methods for treating pain associated with tonsillectomies

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- Number: US 2014/0154236 A1
- Document ID: US20140154236A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/174,709
- Filed: 2014-02-06
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2009-04-27
- Assignees: Intersect ENT, Inc.
- Applicants: Intersect Ent, Inc.
- Inventors: Jerome E. HESTER; Anthony J. ABBATE; Richard E. KAUFMAN; David C. GALE; Gail M. ZALER; Bin HUANG; Lisa EARNHARDT; Vijaykumar RAJASEKHAR
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154236A1

## CPC

- A61L 31/16: Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances {(A61L31/047 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/04: for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
- A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)}
- A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue}
- A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position}
- A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00})
- A61B 17/08: Wound clamps {or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue (suture bridges A61B17/0466); Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound}
- A61B 17/083: {Clips, e.g. resilient}
- A61B 17/26: Tonsillotomes, with or without means for stopping bleeding
- A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)}
- A61L 17/10: containing macromolecular materials
- A61M 31/00: Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body (A61M25/00 takes precedence {; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008})
- 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)}
- A61M 37/0069: {Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments (for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027)}
- A61B 2017/0073: {with means for minimising or preventing pain during treatment}
- A61B 2017/00893: {pharmaceutically effective}
- A61B 2017/06176: {with protrusions, e.g. barbs}
- A61B 2017/0641: {having at least three legs as part of one single body}
- A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks}
- A61B 2017/0649: {Coils or spirals}
- A61B 2090/3987: {Applicators for implanting markers}
- A61B 2090/3991: {having specific anchoring means to fixate the marker to the tissue, e.g. hooks}
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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)}

## Abstract

Described here are devices and methods for treating one or more conditions or symptoms associated with a tonsil procedure. In some variations, a drug-releasing device may be at least partially delivered to one or more tonsillar tissues before, during, or after a tonsil procedure. In some variations, the drug-releasing device may be configured to be biodegradable. In other variations, the drug-releasing device may comprise one or more hemostatic materials or one or more adhesives. The drug-releasing device may be configured to release one or more drugs or agents, such as, for example, one or more analgesics, local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, antibiotics, combinations thereof and the like.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for treating a patient comprising:
performing a tonsil procedure; and
at least partially delivering at least one drug-releasing implant to tonsillar tissue of the patient.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant comprises at least one polymer filament.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one polymer filament comprises one or more anchoring features that impair removal of the at least one polymer filament from the tonsillar tissue.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the anchoring features comprises one or more notches in a surface of the at least one polymer filament.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the anchoring feature comprises one or more barbs or prongs.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant comprises a suture.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant comprises a plurality of space-filling implants.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the plurality of space-filling implants comprise one or more fibrin glue components.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising covering at least a portion of the tonsillar tissue with one or more films, sheets, meshes, or patches.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method claim 1 wherein the one or more drug-releasing implant comprises a clip, and wherein the clip comprises a surface member and at least one anchoring member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising affixing a tissue-restraining device to the tonsillar tissue.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant is configured to release an anti-inflammatory.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant is configured to release an antibiotic.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant is configured to release a painkiller or local anesthetic.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant is biodegradable.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant comprises a polymer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the tonsil procedure is a tonsillectomy or an adenoidectomy.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein the tonsillar tissue comprises a tonsillar bed.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one drug-releasing implant comprises an adhesive.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the adhesive is a fibrin glue.