Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices include a housing having a closed drug reservoir lumen bounded by a first wall structure and a hydrophilic second wall structure, and a drug contained in the drug reservoir lumen, wherein the first wall structure is impermeable to the drug and the second wall structure is permeable to the drug. Methods of providing controlled release of drug to a patient include deploying a drug delivery device in the patient releasing a drug from the drug reservoir lumen via diffusion through the second wall structure.

Abstract: Intravesical devices are provided that are wholly deployable within the bladder of a patient in need of treatment and are well tolerated by the patient. The device may include an elastic body having a retention shape having (i) dimensions that provide intravesical mobility and that prevent voiding of the medical device through the urethra, and (ii) dimensions, buoyancy, or both, that exclude the medical device from entering the orifices of the ureters. The elastic body may exert a maximum acting force less than 1N when compressed to a shape with a maximum dimension in any dimension of 3 cm. The device may include a drug for controlled release within the bladder, for treatment of the bladder or a regional tissue. Methods of treatment are also provided that include selecting a patient in need of treatment in the bladder where tolerability of the treatment is a primary concern.

Abstract: A method delivers an implantable device through the urethra and into the bladder. A deployment instrument is inserted into the urethra, the implantable device is inserted into the deployment instrument, and a stream of fluid is injected into the deployment instrument. The stream of fluid drives the implantable device from the deployment instrument into the bladder. The deployment instrument is removed from the urethra, leaving the implantable device wholly implanted in the bladder.

Abstract: A method delivers an implantable device through the urethra and into the bladder. A deployment instrument is inserted into the urethra, the implantable device is inserted into the deployment instrument, and a stream of fluid is injected into the deployment instrument. The stream of fluid drives the implantable device from the deployment instrument into the bladder. The deployment instrument is removed from the urethra, leaving the implantable device wholly implanted in the bladder.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and treatment methods are provided, particularly for use in the bladder. The device is configured for retention in the bladder for at least a portion of the drug delivery period and includes at least one biodegradable component such that following a biodegradation at a selected time, the retention function is lost and the device or portions thereof are resorbed and/or excreted. The method may include deploying into the bladder of a patient a device having a device structure housing a drug formulation comprising at a drug; releasing drug from the device structure into the bladder; and then, changing the composition of urine in the bladder, e.g., by altering the pH, to trigger degradation of at least part of the device structure to enable the device structure or parts thereof to be excreted from the bladder.

Abstract: Intravesical devices are provided that are wholly deployable within the bladder of a patient in need of treatment and are well tolerated by the patient. The device may include an elastic body having a retention shape having (i) dimensions that provide intravesical mobility and that prevent voiding of the medical device through the urethra, and (ii) dimensions, buoyancy, or both, that exclude the medical device from entering the orifices of the ureters. The elastic body may exert a maximum acting force less than 1 N when compressed to a shape with a maximum dimension in any dimension of 3 cm. The device may include a drug for controlled release within the bladder, for treatment of the bladder or a regional tissue. Methods of treatment are also provided that include selecting a patient in need of treatment in the bladder where tolerability of the treatment is a primary concern.

Abstract: Ureteral stent devices having improved drug delivery capabilities are provided. The ureteral stent device includes a ureteral stent comprising two opposed ends, and a drug delivery component associated with at least one end of the ureteral stent. The drug delivery component includes a drug housing defining a drug reservoir containing a drug, wherein the drug housing is configured to release the drug in-vivo.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided lo have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, mid the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the daig reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

Abstract: A drug dosage form is provided in the form of a solid tablet which is greater than 50% by weight the local anesthetic agent. The local anesthetic agent may be selected from the group consisting of an aminoamide, an aminoester, and a combination thereof. The drug tablet may be in the form of a mini-tablet which is greater than 70 wt % drug, with the balance being excipient. For example, the anesethetic agent may include lidocaine, in a salt or base form, combined with binder and lubricant excipients. Implantable drug delivery devices including the tablets are also provided, e.g., one or more of the drug tablets may be contained in a biocompatible housing. The drug tablets may be substantially cylindrical with flat end faces, and the device may have from 10 to 100 drug tablets aligned in the housing with the flat end faces of adjacent tablets abutting one another.

Abstract: A drug dosage form is provided in the form of a solid tablet which is greater than 50% by weight the local anesthetic agent. The local anesthetic agent may be selected from the group consisting of an aminoamide, an aminoester, and a combination thereof. The drug tablet may be in the form of a mini-tablet which is greater than 70 wt % drug, with the balance being excipient. For example, the anesethetic agent may include lidocaine, in a salt or base form, combined with binder and lubricant excipients. Implantable drug delivery devices including the tablets are also provided, e.g., one or more of the drug tablets may be contained in a biocompatible housing. The drug tablets may be substantially cylindrical with flat end faces, and the device may have from 10 to 100 drug tablets aligned in the housing with the flat end faces of adjacent tablets abutting one another.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided that are deformable between a relatively straightened shape suitable for deployment and a retention shape suited to retain the device within the bladder or other body cavity. While in the body cavity, the devices release drug from solid drug units housed in the devices. The devices are designed to house the solid drug units in a way that exposes one or more sides of the solid drug units to the fluid at the in vivo site of deployment. Methods for using the devices for administering drug and making the devices also are provided.

Abstract: Method are provided for treating a patient having bladder pain and/or irritative voiding symptoms. The method includes administering to the patient's bladder lidocaine or another anesthetic agent continuously over a treatment period of 24 hours or more in an amount effective to achieve a therapeutic effect which is sustained beyond the end of the treatment period.

Abstract: A device includes a tissue expanding portion and an enclosure positioned on a surface of the tissue expanding portion. The enclosure includes an enclosure wall and a drug formulation pocket defined by the enclosure wall. A solid drug formulation that includes a drug is housed within the drug formulation pocket.

Abstract: Implantable devices and methods for controlled drug delivery are provided. The device includes a device structure deformable between a retention shape and a low profile shape for deployment in the bladder of a patient and has a drug reservoir lumen in which a drug formulation is housed. The device also includes a buoyancy retention portion, which includes a volume of entrapped air or a gas-generating or effervescent powder Which will generate a volume of entrapped air following contact with urine in the bladder. The buoyancy retention portion may include a water permeable and/or biodegradable wall, which can release the entrapped air following drug release, to cause the device to sink into the bladder neck to facilitate device expulsion without the need for a device retrieval medical procedure.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and treatment methods are provided, particularly for use in the bladder. The device is configured for retention in the bladder for at least a portion of the drug delivery period and includes at least one biodegradable component such that following a biodegradation at a selected time, the retention function is lost and the device or portions thereof are resorbed and/or excreted. The method may include deploying into the bladder of a patient a device having a device structure housing a drug formulation comprising at a drug; releasing drug from the device structure into the bladder; and then, changing the composition of urine in the bladder, e.g., by altering the pH, to trigger degradation of at least part of the device structure to enable the device structure or parts thereof to be excreted from the bladder.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device includes a drug reservoir portion, a retention frame portion, and a guide wire portion. The drug reservoir portion houses a drug. The retention frame portion houses a retention frame. The guide wire portion defines a hollow bore for receiving a guide wire.

Abstract: A method delivers an implantable device through the urethra and into the bladder. A deployment instrument is inserted into the urethra, the implantable device is inserted into the deployment instrument, and a stream of fluid is injected into the deployment instrument. The stream of fluid drives the implantable device from the deployment instrument into the bladder. The deployment instrument is removed from the urethra, leaving the implantable device wholly implanted in the bladder.

Abstract: Intravesical devices are provided that are wholly deployable within the bladder of a patient in need of treatment and are well tolerated by the patient. The device may include an elastic body having a retention shape having (i) dimensions that provide intravesical mobility and that prevent voiding of the medical device through the urethra, and (ii) dimensions, buoyancy, or both, that exclude the medical device from entering the orifices of the ureters. The elastic body may exert a maximum acting force less than 1 N when compressed to a shape with a maximum dimension in any dimension of 3 cm. The device may include a drug for controlled release within the bladder, for treatment of the bladder or a regional tissue. Methods of treatment are also provided that include selecting a patient in need of treatment in the bladder where tolerability of the treatment is a primary concern.

Abstract: A device includes a tissue expanding portion and an enclosure positioned on a surface of the tissue expanding portion. The enclosure includes an enclosure wall and a drug formulation pocket defined by the enclosure wall.

Abstract: Implantable devices and methods for delivery of lidocaine or other drugs to a patient are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a first drug portion which has a first drug housing which contains a first drug formulation in a solid form which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of lidocaine; and a second drug portion which includes a second drug housing which contains a second drug formulation which includes lidocaine base. In another embodiment, the device includes a drug reservoir component which has an elastic tube having at least one lumen bounded by a porous sidewall having an open-cell structure, a closed-cell structure, or a combination thereof; and a drug formulation contained within the at least one lumen, wherein the device is deformable between a low-profile deployment shape and a relatively expanded retention shape.