Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for delivering a drug to a target tissue site. The drug delivery device comprises a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a chamber disposed therebetween. An upper portion is disposed about the proximal end of the body. A retaining member is disposed within a wall of the body and engageable with the chamber and a plunger is configured for disposal within the upper portion and the chamber. The upper portion is movable about the proximal end of the body to open the chamber such that the plunger is disposed within a passageway defined within the chamber, and movement of the plunger in a distal direction pushes the retaining member such that the drug moves out of the body. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for delivering a drug to a target tissue site. The drug delivery device comprises a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a chamber disposed therebetween. An upper portion is disposed about the proximal end of the body. A retaining member is disposed within a wall of the body and engageable with the chamber and a plunger is configured for disposal within the upper portion and the chamber. The upper portion is movable about the proximal end of the body to open the chamber such that the plunger is disposed within a passageway defined within the chamber, and movement of the plunger in a distal direction pushes the retaining member such that the drug moves out of the body. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods are provided that have one or more statins disposed therein. The medical devices may be implanted at near or in a bone defect to enhance bone growth. In some embodiments, the medical device provided allows for sustain release of the statin and facilitates bone formation and repair of the fracture site.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for delivering a drug to a target tissue site. The drug delivery device comprises a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a chamber disposed therebetween. An upper portion is disposed about the proximal end of the body. A retaining member is disposed within a wall of the body and engageable with the chamber and a plunger is configured for disposal within the upper portion and the chamber. The upper portion is movable about the proximal end of the body to open the chamber such that the plunger is disposed within a passageway defined within the chamber, and movement of the plunger in a distal direction pushes the retaining member such that the drug moves out of the body. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a gamma-aminobutyric acid compound at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for treatment of neuronal injury. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for delivering a drug to a target tissue site. The drug delivery device comprises a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a chamber disposed therebetween. An upper portion is disposed about the proximal end of the body. A retaining member is disposed within a wall of the body and engageable with the chamber and a plunger is configured for disposal within the upper portion and the chamber. The upper portion is movable about the proximal end of the body to open the chamber such that the plunger is disposed within a passageway defined within the chamber, and movement of the plunger in a distal direction pushes the retaining member such that the drug moves out of the body. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for treatment of pain or inflammation. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, an intra-articular administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.

Abstract: In the present invention, Applicants demonstrate the effect of a biomembrane sealing agent on the development of chronic pain following tissue injury as well as acute pain in a model of acute inflammation. Applicants demonstrate the ability of this class of agents referred to as “biomembrane sealing agents” to reduce the severity of hyperalgesia and allodynia following mechanical insult to the nervous system as well as their ability to reduce acute pain in a model of acute inflammation. Applicant describes the use of injectable or depot formulations of biomembrane sealing agent(s) for prophylactic treatment such as they could be administered after the insult (i.e. post-injury or post-surgery) but before the onset of acute or chronic pain. Alternatively, biomembrane sealing agents could be used to reduce the severity of acute or chronic pain after onset.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods are provided that have one or more statins disposed therein. The medical devices may be implanted at near or in a bone defect to enhance bone growth. In some embodiments, the medical device provided allows for sustain release of the statin and facilitates bone formation and repair of the fracture site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a gamma-aminobutyric acid compound at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods are provided that have one or more statins disposed therein. The medical devices may be implanted at near or in a bone defect to enhance bone growth. In some embodiments, the medical device provided allows for sustain release of the statin and facilitates bone formation and repair of the fracture site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a gamma-aminobutyric acid compound at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: A biodegradable drug implant for reducing, preventing or treating pain and/or inflammation in a patient is provided. The biodegradable drug implant comprises dexamethasone and a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer matrix, wherein the dexamethasone comprises from about 50% to about 80% by weight of the drug implant. Methods of treating pain in a patient are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for treatment of neuronal injury. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for delivering a drug to a target tissue site. The drug delivery device comprises a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a chamber disposed therebetween. An upper portion is disposed about the proximal end of the body. A retaining member is disposed within a wall of the body and engageable with the chamber and a plunger is configured for disposal within the upper portion and the chamber. The upper portion is movable about the proximal end of the body to open the chamber such that the plunger is disposed within a passageway defined within the chamber, and movement of the plunger in a distal direction pushes the retaining member such that the drug moves out of the body. Methods are also disclosed.