Abstract: Disclosed herein are bilayered substrates useful for treating infection and/or inflammation in a subject such as, for example, the upper respiratory system. In another aspect, the layers of the substrates disclosed herein include biocompatible and biodegradable polymers as well as one or more bioactive agents useful for treating infection and/or inflammation. In a further aspect, the layers of the substrate can contain nanoparticles incorporating the bioactive agents. In any one of the above aspects, the bioactive agents are released at a constant rate over a period of time. In still another aspect, the substrates disclosed herein are useful for reducing the mass of biofilms and reducing or preventing inflammation by inhibiting the production of interleukin-8.

Abstract: Various embodiments for sustained drug delivery using a needle array are disclosed. A medical instrument and a method associated therewith are described for delivering drugs into tonsillar and other tissue as a way of treating tonsillar hypertrophy or inflammation, as an alternative to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) procedures. In some embodiments, a tonsil-accessible medical instrument is described as including a needle head having needles, or microneedles, disposed therein and capable of introducing a compound, such as a steroid, into tissue. The medical instruments enables for the delivery of various compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, for controlled and sustained release.