Formulations and methods for providing prolonged local anesthesia

US6451335B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Euro-Celtique S.A. · LU

Inventors

• Paul Goldenheim · Wilson, US
• Donna Donigi-Gale · Trumbull, US
• Kevin Burton · Woodstock, CA
• Mohammed Shameem · Dhahran, SA
• Amol Ketkar · Elmsford, US
• Mark Chasin · Manalapan, US
• Richard Maskiewicz · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 1998
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2002
• Expiry date: Jul 2, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K45/06
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A formulation for inducing sustained regional local anesthesia in a patient comprising a substrate comprising a local anesthetic and an effective amount of a biocompatible, biodegradable, controlled release material prolonging the release of the local anesthetic from the substrate to obtain a reversible local anesthesia when implanted or injected in a patient, and a non-toxic augmenting agent effective to prolong the duration of the local anesthesia for a time period longer than that obtainable from the substrate without the augmenting agent. In preferred embodiments, the controlled release material is a low molecular weight, acid-terminated polymer. A further aspect of the invention is directed to such formulations which release the local anesthetic in two phases, the first a rapid “bolus” to initiate anesthesia and a second, slower release to maintain anesthesia.