Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tom McCracken
  • Patent number: 6835194
    Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for treatment of pain. The drug delivery device is a drug delivery system adapted for whole implantation in a subject and to provide pain relief by delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) over a protracted period of time (e.g., at least 3 days or more than 3 days). The device comprises a housing defining a reservoir that contains a drug formulation, a pump operatively connected to the housing so as to facilitate movement of drug out of the reservoir and out of the device, and a thermal expansion element which defines a flow pathway comprising a thermal expansion channel to accommodate thermal expansion of formulation in the reservoir. The device can further comprise a valve positioned within the flow pathway so as to prevent movement of drug out of the reservoir prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Durect Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph Mellus Johnson, Felix Theeuwes, Edward M. Gillis, Dana Litmanovitz, Barbara Laidlaw, James Brown, John Culwell, James A. Filice, Peter Wickman, Su-Il Yum, Andrew Poutiatine, John Dinka