Implantable cardiac electrode with rate controlled drug delivery
AssigneeVentritex, Inc.
InventorsDrew A. Hoffmann, M. Elizabeth Bush
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A body implantable electrode with rate controlled drug delivery is disclosed. A body implantable lead is provided for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site includes a drug dispenser carried by the lead which retains a drug to be dispensed at least adjacent the desired body stimulation site. The drug may be one which is intended to counter thrombus formation, fibrosis, inflammation or arrhythmias, for example. The drug may be in liquid or powder form retained in a reservoir carried by the lead. The reservoir is formed as a pump which controls dispensing of the drug using a fluid drawing agent such as a salt.
Claims28
An implantable device, comprising:
- an electrode for implantation in a patient, said electrode having a reservoir located within said electrode;
- an insulated conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and coupled to said electrode at said distal end of said conductor and having a connector at said proximal end of said conductor;
- at least one therapeutic drug carried in said reservoir;
- and
- at least one drawing agent contained in said reservoir, having an ability to draw body fluid into said reservoir for modulating drug delivery rate of said at least one therapeutic drug to body tissue.
A pump for dispensing a therapeutic drug to a patient's body, comprising:
- a chamber containing a polymeric matrix, a therapeutic drug, and a hydrophilic agent, wherein said hydrophilic agent is embedded in said polymeric matrix;
- an electrically insulating material forming an outer wall of said chamber;
- and
- an electrode forming an inner wall of said chamber.
A body implantable lead comprising:
- an electrode for sensing or stimulation for implantation in a patient's body;
- an insulated conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and coupled to said electrode at said distal end of said conductor and having a connector at said proximal end of said conductor;
- and
- a drug eluting system located within said electrode having at least one therapeutic drug and at least one fluid drawing agent for use as a pump for delivering said at least one therapeutic drug to tissue.
A drug eluting system for use in an implantable electrode comprising:
- a porous electrode;
- an outer chamber formed by a semipermeable electrically insulating material and containing at least one therapeutic drug;
- an inner chamber formed by a semipermeable membrane and containing a hydrophilic agent for use as an osmotic pump for delivering said at least one therapeutic drug to tissue;
- an impermeable membrane separating said outer chamber from said inner chamber, said semipermeable membrane allowing body fluid to pass through to said inner chamber, said hydrophilic agent expanding upon hydration to press on said drug with said impermeable membrane, causing said drug to be dispensed through said semipermeable electrically insulating material and through said porous electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.