Patent · US Expired

Implanting devices for the focal release of neuroinhibitory compounds

US5474547A · kind A · utility

107Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 1993
Grant dateDec 12, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12N2533/30
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for the alleviation of movement disorders via the implantation of static devices which focally release neuroinhibitory compounds to preselected brain areas. Pathological conditions to be treated by these methods include parkinsonian movement disorders, Huntington's chorea, and epileptiform seizure activity. In the treatment of parkinsonism, target areas implantation include the subthalamic nucleus, the globus pallidus internus, and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. In the treatment of epilepsy, implants may be placed in an epileptogenic focus area of neural over-activity. The devices may be polymeric implants that release neuroinhibitory compounds such as GABA, GABA agonists, GABA potentiators, action potential blockers and voltage dependent calcium channel blockers, and glutamate antagonists. Alternatively, the devices may contain living cells which secrete neuroinhibitory compounds.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.