Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thomas P. McCracken
-
Patent number: 8147730Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Neil Russell Foster, Hubert Leonardus Regtop, Fariba Dehghani
-
Patent number: 8148377Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing dihydroergotamine (DHE) and methods in which DHE is administered to patients for treatment of migraine without side effects or adverse effects are disclosed. Methods for rapid treatment of migraine with DHE are disclosed comprising: dampening the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and slightly delaying the peak such as to avoid activating the dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors, while achieving sufficient active binding to the serotonin receptors to provide relief from migraine symptoms within a timeframe that permits rapid resolution of migraine symptoms. Inhaler devices suitable for the methods are disclosed. Kits for practicing the methods of invention are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Robert O. Cook, Stephen B. Shrewsbury, Nabih N. Ramadan, Thomas A. Armer
-
Patent number: 8119639Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing dihydroergotamine (DHE) and methods in which DHE is administered to patients for treatment of migraine without side effects or adverse effects are disclosed. Methods for rapid treatment of migraine with DHE are disclosed comprising: dampening the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and slightly delaying the peak such as to avoid activating the dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors, while achieving sufficient active binding to the serotonin receptors to provide relief from migraine symptoms within a timeframe that permits rapid resolution of migraine symptoms. Inhaler devices suitable for the methods are disclosed. Kits for practicing the methods of invention are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Robert O. Cook, Stephen B. Shrewsbury, Nabih N. Ramadan, Thomas A. Armer
-
Patent number: 7833543Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nonpolymeric compounds and compositions that form liquid, high viscosity materials suitable for the delivery of biologically active substances in a controlled fashion, and for use as medical or surgical devices. The materials can optionally be diluted with a solvent to form a material of lower viscosity, rendering the material easy to administer. This solvent may be water insoluble or water soluble, where the water soluble solvent rapidly diffuses or migrates away from the material in vivo, leaving a higher viscosity liquid material.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: John W. Gibson, Stacey S. Miller, John C. Middleton, Arthur J. Tipton
-
Patent number: 7829109Abstract: Catheter injectable depot compositions are provided that include a bioerodible, biocompatible polymer, a solvent having miscibility in water of less than or equal to 7 wt. % at 25° C., in an amount effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel therewith, a thixotropic agent, and a beneficial agent. The solvent comprises an aromatic alcohol, an ester of an aromatic acid, an aromatic ketone, or mixtures thereof. The compositions have substantially improved shear thinning behavior and reduced injection force, rendering the compositions readily implanted beneath a patient's body surface by injection.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Guohua Chen, Paul R. Houston, Lothar Kleiner, John Spaltro
-
Patent number: 7819855Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering formulation that allows modification of the formulation prior to or concomitant with its transport or at a delivery site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, which defines an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a modifying element, which provides for modification of one or more components of a formulation prior to or concomitant with release at the delivery site.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Tai Wah Chan, Tim Nelson, Jim Brown
-
Patent number: 7648496Abstract: Implantable delivery devices (1) for accurately controlling release of an agent therefrom and for preventing release of the agent during storage, prior to use. The devices include a reservoir (3) for storing the agent, a driving means for driving the agent from the reservoir (3) and a valving and control mechanism (10) which is positively actuatable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Edward M. Gillis, Andrew L. Poutiatine, James A. Filice, Peter Wickman, John Culwell, John S. Dinka
-
Patent number: 7589110Abstract: The invention features methods and devices for local delivery of agents that modify glutamate-mediated neurotransmission to the inner ear for treatment of inner ear disorders caused by glutamate-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignees: Durect Corporation, InsermInventors: Jean-Luc Puel, Remy Pujol, Yves Christen
-
Patent number: 7438701Abstract: The invention provides a local concentration management system (LCMS) for delivery of highly concentrated therapeutic agent formulations. The LCMS comprises a device comprising an elongate body defining a lumen between its proximal and distal ends, and a diffuser element, a dilutor element, or both. The diffuser element, which is selectively permeable to the agent, is operatively associated with the elongate body so that agent flows through the elongate body, and into and through the diffuser element to exit the system. The dilutor element can be operatively associated with the system to be in fluid communication with the elongate body lumen, a diffusion space defined by a diffuser element inner wall, or both. The dilutor element is selectively water permeable, but substantially impermeable to agent, to provide for dilution of the agent during transit through the system. The LCMS system is designed to disperse and/or dilute the drug delivery stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Felix Theeuwes, Su Il Yum
-
Patent number: 7250043Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering formulation that allows modification of the formulation prior to or concomitant with its transport or at a delivery site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, which defines an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a modifying element, which provides for modification of one or more components of a formulation prior to or concomitant with release at the delivery site.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Tai Wah Chan, Tim Nelson, Jim Brown
-
Patent number: 7053209Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nonpolymeric compounds and compositions that form liquid, high viscosity materials suitable for the delivery of biologically active substances in a controlled fashion, and for use as medical or surgical devices. The materials can optionally be diluted with a solvent to form a material of lower viscosity, rendering the material easy to administer. This solvent may be water insoluble or water soluble, where the water soluble solvent rapidly diffuses or migrates away from the material in vivo, leaving a higher viscosity liquid material.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: John W. Gibson, Arthur J. Tipton
-
Patent number: 6881200Abstract: A needleless syringe having a membrane (28) which is ruptured by gas pressure to generate a supersonic gas flow in which particles containing a therapeutic agent are injected.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventors: Brian J. Bellhouse, David F. Sarphie, John C. Greenford
-
Patent number: 6824532Abstract: The present invention features a composite catheter comprising an elongate outer member and an elongate inner member positioned within the outer member so that the inner and outer members define an interstitial space. The outer member has a size and other characteristics that facilitate handling and implantation of the composite catheter, while the inner diameter of the inner member has the size and other characteristics suitable for delivery of a drug through a lumen of the inner member. The interstitial space imparts flexibility to the composite catheter by, for example, removing material from the cross-sectional area that would otherwise provide additional stiffness to the catheter, and/or by accommodating movement of the outer member relative to the inner member.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Edward M. Gillis, Felix Theeuwes
-
Patent number: 6613360Abstract: Spray-coated pharmaceutical powder compositions for transdermal administration using a needleless syringe comprise seed particles coated with a pharmaceutical composition, the said coated seed particles having an average size of about 10 to 100 &mgr;m and having an envelope density ranging from about 0.1 to about 25 g/cm3.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventor: Yuh-Fun Maa
-
Patent number: 6602678Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an analyte is described, wherein the apparatus includes an interface contact element that is used to establish an interface with a quantity of body fluid. The interface contact element is adapted to facilitate diffusion of a target analyte across the interface essentially free of net mass fluid transport. The quantity of body fluid is exposed to the interface contact element through micro-pathways. The apparatus can also include a sensing material adapted to sense the target analyte with at least one analytical method. Methods for using the apparatus in a non- or minimally invasive monitoring technique are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventors: Sung Yun Kwon, Terry L. Burkoth
-
Patent number: 6592545Abstract: A needleless syringe capable of accelerating particles into a target surface is provided. The syringe comprises a body having a lumen with a diaphragm located adjacent to a terminus thereof. Particles are delivered from an external surface of the diaphragm by means of the motive force provided by the impact of a shockwave imparted to the internal surface of the diaphragm. A method for delivering particles from the needleless syringe is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventors: Brian John Bellhouse, John Bell, Huw Richard Millward, Monisha Jane Phillips, Samih M. Nabulsi
-
Patent number: 6558961Abstract: Methods for assessing immunocompetence, cellular or humoral immunity, antigen exposure, or allergic conditions in an individual by accelerating diagnostic particles into a target skin site in the individual are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventors: David F. Sarphie, Lee K. Roberts, Deborah L. Fuller
-
Patent number: 6482604Abstract: Methods for sampling an analyte present in a biological system are provided. The methods entail use of particle delivery methods to obtain a sample of an analyte of interest from the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventor: Sung Yun Kwon
-
Patent number: 6475181Abstract: A needleless drug particle delivery device, of the kind in which firing of the drug particles is caused by a sudden gas flow, characterised in that the device comprises a container (14) of compressed gas and a mechanism for releasing the gas from the container to create the gas flow, the mechanism comprising a rupture (20) element for breaching the container and a manually manipulable actuator (27) for moving the element and the container relatively to one another to provide an initial breach whereby gas is released to act on a piston portion (21) to provide a servo action which causes the rupture element and container to move further suddenly relatively to one another to complete the breaching of the container and establish a maximum gas flow from the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: PowderJect Research LimitedInventors: Charles David Potter, David Stuart Potter
-
Patent number: 6372045Abstract: Particles coated with a therapeutic agent are deposited onto the inner surface of a length of tubing using a process which includes introducing the particles into the tubing while the tubing is rotating horizontally. An apparatus for performing the process is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Powderject Vaccines, IncInventor: Dennis McCabe