Drug-releasing device usable in mucosal body cavities
US10285865B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M31/002
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tympanostomy tube containing a polymeric material and a drug is described. The polymeric material may comprise a non-resorbable polymer and a water-soluble polymer. The drug may be released when the device is contacted by an aqueous liquid such as middle ear exudate during otitis media. The implant may contain sufficient drug to treat multiple episodes of otitis media or to catch subsequent episodes in their early stages as a prophylactic. The device may be hydrophilic and further may contain a surfactant. The implant may be porous. The implant may have enhanced surface area at places exposed to middle ear liquid and may have enlarged mass so as to contain an increased total amount of drug. Intentional reorientation of the patient's head may aid in moving drug-containing liquid around the middle ear cavity. Similar implants can be used in other mucosal cavities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.