Patents Assigned to Endocon, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5409710
    Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for delivering a clinically relevant agent to a mammalian recipient in vivo are provided. The methods involve forming a foam cell from an isolated foam cell precursor in vitro, incorporating an agent into the foam cell, and administering the foam cell containing the agent to the mammalian recipient. In a preferred embodiment, the foam cell precursors are isolated from a human recipient, treated, and returned to the patient in the form of a foam cell containing a therapeutically effective amount of the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5137669
    Abstract: A bioerodible pellet capable of administering an even and continuous dose of a peptide over a period of up to a year, when subcutaneously implanted, is provided. The bioerodible implant is a partially-fused pellet, which pellet has a peptide drug homogeneously-bound in a matrix of a melted and recrystallized, nonpolymer carrier. Preferably, the nonpolymer carrier is a steroid and in particular is cholesterol or a cholesterol derivative. In one embodiment, the peptide drug is growth hormone-releasing hormone. A method for making the bioerodible pellet also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Leonard, S. Mitchell Harman
  • Patent number: 5039660
    Abstract: A bioerodible pellet capable of administering an even and continuous dose of a peptide over a period of up to a year, when subcutaneously implanted, is provided. The bioerodible implant is a partially-fused pellet, which pellet has a peptide drug homogeneously-bound in a matrix of a melted and recrystallized, nonpolymer carrier. Preferably, the nonpolymer carrier is a steroid and in particular is cholesterol or a cholesterol derivative. In one embodiment, the peptide drug is growth hormone-releasing hormone. A method for making the bioerodible pellet also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Leonard, S. Mitchell Harman
  • Patent number: 4994028
    Abstract: A device for subcutaneous implantation of a plurality of solid, elongated medicinal pellets. The device includes a needle-like, hollow cannula within a barrel. The hub has a manually engageable knob thereon so that the hub and cannula may be easily moved with respect to the barrel with the thumb of one hand during the implantation process. An obturator extends from the rear of the barrel into the proximal end of the cannula. The obturator is composed of two or more sections which allow it to telescope during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Leonard, S. Mitchell Harman
  • Patent number: 4892734
    Abstract: A process for aliquotting precise amounts of an active ingredient and a carrier for forming pellets is provided. The active ingredient and carrier are dispensed separately and then are mixed together. The mixture is combined with a liquid to form a paste. A precise amount of the paste is dispensed and the liquid is evaporated out of the paste leaving a dry, homogeneous mixture. The dry mixture then is formed into a pellet containing the active ingredient and the carrier in precise relative amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Leonard
  • Patent number: 4846793
    Abstract: A device for subcutaneous implantation of a plurality of solid, elongated medicinal pellets. The device includes a needle-like, hollow cannula within a barrel. The hub has a manually engageable knob thereon so that the hub and cannula may be easily moved with respect to the barrel with the thumb of one hand during the implantation process. An obturator extends from the rear of the barrel into the proximal end of the cannula. The obturator is composed of two or more sections which allow it to telescope during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Leonard, S. Mitchell Harman
  • Patent number: 4820267
    Abstract: An improved device for subcutaneous implantation of single and plural elongated medicament pellets comprising a single dosage where magazine feeding is not applicable because considerations of sterility and cross-contamination require a fresh needle and obturator for each patient. The device includes a cannula supported at a proximal end thereof by a hub which slides within a tubular barrel, the barrel supporting an obturator which selectively penetrates the cannula to maintain an implanted pellet in position as the cannula is withdrawn. For single pellet dosages, the pellet is carried in the fore part of the cannula, while in the case of multiple pellet dosages, the additional pellets, prior to loading, are carried in open-ended cylindrical tubes engageable with a proximal end of the hub whereby the obturator may be employed to transfer the pellet to the cannula from the sleeve which is discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Sherman M. Harman
  • Patent number: 4753636
    Abstract: A presterilized, packaged, subcutaneous contraception kit including a simple, disposable cutter device (1) which makes precise, repeatable less than 5 mm incisions in the skin which is capable of being used by nonskilled personnel. The contraceptive steroid delivery systems are preloaded in a disposable flexible plastic carrier (30) which is used to blunt disect under the skin where the capsules (52) are deposited by the operation of drawing the carrier (30) back over a rod (42) which is held relatively stationary. The carrier (30) stops automatically when one capsule has been deposited and must be triggered in order to deposit the next capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Free
  • Patent number: 4748024
    Abstract: A process and a device for preparing a fused pellet from nonethindrone and cholesterol are provided. Conditions are applied to the pelleting material to melt the material uniformly such that the phase transition of all of the material occurs approximately simultaneously. The material is removed from the melting conditions immediately upon the melting of the material and the material is subjected immediately to cooling conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Endocon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Leonard