Title:  Subcutaneous implant

United States Patent:  6,126,956

Inventors:  Grossman; Stuart A. (Towson, MD); Leong; Kam W. (Ellicott City, MD); Lesser; Glenn J. (Baltimore, MD); Lo; Hungnan (Baltimore, MD)

Appl. No.:  218081

A non-abusable, non-inflammatory, biocompatible, non-biodegradable, subcutaneous, polymeric implant for the prolonged, controlled release of hydromorphone with near zero-order kinetics is described. Methods of alleviating cancer pain and treating opioid drug addiction with the implant are also described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a subcutaneous delivery system comprising: i) a polymeric matrix material, ii) a therapeutic agent embedded in said matrix, and, iii) a coating surrounding said matrix, wherein said delivery system is adapted to provide near constant delivery of hydromorphone.

The invention also includes a method of providing a delivery system comprising i) implanting a therapeutic agent in a polyethylene vinyl acetate matrix, ii) forming said matrix into a cylinder, iii) coating said matrix with poly(methyl methacrylate), and iv) creating a cylindrical opening along the axis of the cylindrical matrix creating an internal wall in said matrix, wherein said internal wall of said matrix has no coating.

The invention also involves a method of providing prolonged relief of pain in a mammal suffering from pain comprising subcutaneously administering at least one device (where two or more are administered, they are joined together or separate) to said mammal, and further involves a method of treating opioid drug addiction in a mammal having such an addiction comprising subcutaneously administering at least one device to said mammal .

Claim 1 of 17 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A subcutaneous delivery system comprising:

i) a bicompatible polymeric matrix material,

ii) a therapeutic agent homogeneously embedded in said matrix, and

iii) A polymeric coating surrounding said matrix impermeable to the therapeutic agent wherein said delivery system is cylindrical, cubical or a hemisphere in shape and has an uncoated internal wall opposite a coated external wall, wherein the distance between said internal uncoated wall and said coated external wall remains substantially constant throughout the delivery system, and wherein said delivery system is adapted to deliver said therapeutic agent through an opening formed by said internal uncoated wall at a near constant rate.

____________________________________________
If you want to learn more about this patent, please go directly to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site to access the full patent.