Method and apparatus for administering analgesics, and method for making same device
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsTimothy S. Nelson, Matthew A. Bergan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method is disclosed for continuously administering an analgesic to the neuraxis of an organism. The device comprises a polymeric matrix body loaded with the analgesic. The body is implanted in the neuraxis where the analgesic diffuses into the neuraxis.
Claims61
A method for administering an analgesic to an animal comprising the steps of:
- implanting, in the region of the spinal column of the animal, a biostable polymeric matrix body loaded with the analgesic wherein said analgesic is only released from said biostable polymeric matrix, and
- releasing an efficacious amount of the analgesic over time to the animal from the matrix body.
A method for administering an analgesic to an animal comprising the steps of:
- making a biostable polymeric matrix body loaded with an analgesic, the matrix body configured for ease of introduction to and removal from the spinal column of the animal;
- implanting, in the region of the spinal column of the animal;
- and
- diffusing an efficacious amount of the analgesic over time to the animal from the matrix body, wherein the analgesic is diffused at a sustained rate over the useful life of the analgesic.
A method for making a device to be implanted in the region of the neuraxis of an animal, the device to diffuse analgesic into the region of the neuraxis of the animal at a substantially sustained rate over the life of the device, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a polymeric precure of a biostable material;
- stir-mixing a powder mixture of analgesic into the polymeric precure to make a dispersion of the polymeric precure and the analgesic whereby the powder mixture of analgesic is not dissolved by the polymeric precure;
- forming the dispersion into a desired configuration;
- and
- solidifying the dispersion of the analgesic and polymeric precure.
A method for making a device to be implanted in the region of the neuraxis of an animal, the device to diffuse analgesic into the region of the neuraxis of the animal at a substantially sustained rate over the life of the device, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. forming a polymeric substance of a material into a desired configuration;
- b. forming a mixture of a solvent and an analgesic;
- c. introducing the polymeric substance formed in step a. into the mixture formed in step b.;
- d. allowing the polymeric substance formed in step a. to absorb the mixture formed in step b. during the performance of step c.;
- e. removing the polymeric substance and absorbed mixture of solvent and analgesic from the mixture of solvent and analgesic after step d. has been performed;
- and
- f. drying the polymeric substance and solvent and analgesic mixture removed in step e. so that the solvent evaporates from the polymeric substance and solvent and analgesic mixture thereby leaving only the analgesic absorbed in the polymeric substance.
A method for making a device to be implanted in the region of the spinal column of an animal, the device to diffuse analgesic into the region of the spinal column of the animal at a substantially sustained rate over the life of the device, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. forming a polymeric substance of a biostable material into a hollow tube, the polymeric material capable of allowing a selected analgesic to diffuse therethrough;
- b. loading the selected analgesic into the hollow tube formed in step a.;
- and
- c. sealing the ends of the tube formed in step a. with the selected analgesic inside.
A device for administering an analgesic to an animal at a sustained rate over a period of time, the device being shaped, sized and adapted for administering the analgesic into the region of the spinal column of the animal, the device comprising:
- a biostable polymeric matrix body;
- and
- an analgesic, loaded into the matrix body, the analgesic available for diffusion only therefrom into the region of the spinal column of the animal.
A device for administering an analgesic at a sustained rate over a period of time, the device being shaped, sized and adapted for administering the analgesic into the region of the neuraxis of the analgesic available for diffusion only therefrom in the animal environment into the neuraxis, wherein the analgesic is selected from the group consisting of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, ketorolac, super oxide dismutase, and serotonin.
A device for administering an analgesic at a sustained rate over a period of time, the device being shaped, sized and adapted for administering the analgesic into the region of the neuraxis of an animal environment, the device comprising:
- a biostable polymeric matrix body containing an analgesic available for diffusion only therefrom in the animal environment into the neuraxis, wherein the analgesic is selected from the group consisting of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, ketorolac, super oxide dismutase, and serotonin;
- and
- a recovery tether attached to the body.
A device for administering an analgesic to an animal at a sustained rate over a period of time, the device being shaped, sized and adapted for administering the analgesic into the region of the spinal column of the animal, the device comprising:
- a biostable polymeric hollow tube, the polymeric material capable of allowing a selected analgesic to diffuse only therefrom, the polymeric hollow tube having opposed ends;
- the selected analgesic, loaded into the interior of the polymeric hollow tube, the analgesic available for diffusion only therefrom into the region of the spinal column of the animal;
- and
- wherein the opposed ends of the polymeric hollow tube are sealed with the selected analgesic inside the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.