Abstract: Pharmaceutical gels and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue site beneath the skin of a patient are provided, the gel being capable of adhering to the target tissue site and comprising one or more biodegradable depots containing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent. In various embodiments, the gel is sprayable and hardens after contacting the target tissue site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic 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 twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for 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: Methods and compositions are provided for treating an intervertebral disc herniation by local administration of one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a glucocorticoid at or near the intervertebral disc herniation to reduce the size of the intervertebral disc herniation.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical gels and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue site beneath the skin of a patient are provided, the gel being capable of adhering to the target tissue site and comprising one or more biodegradable depots containing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent. In various embodiments, the gel is sprayable and hardens after contacting the target tissue site.

Abstract: A drug cartridge is provided for delivering a drug pellet to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the drug cartridge comprising: two or more chambers, each chamber holding a drug pellet and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the chamber having an opening to receive the drug pellet and a plunger, the distal end of the chamber having an opening for receiving the plunger and passage of the drug pellet, a bulking agent disposed within at least a portion of each chamber, wherein movement of the plunger to an extended position moves the drug pellet within the chamber of the cartridge out the distal end of the chamber and out of the drug cartridge. In some embodiments, instead or with the bulking agent pierceable superior and inferior covers are used to contain the drug pellets.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical gels and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue site beneath the skin of a patient are provided, the gel being capable of adhering to the target tissue site and comprising one or more biodegradable depots containing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent. In various embodiments, the gel is sprayable and hardens after contacting the target tissue site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine 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: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic 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 twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for 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: Pharmaceutical gels and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue site beneath the skin of a patient are provided, the gel being capable of adhering to the target tissue site and comprising one or more biodegradable depots containing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent. In various embodiments, the gel is sprayable and hardens after contacting the target tissue site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic 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 twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for 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: Pharmaceutical gels and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue site beneath the skin of a patient are provided, the gel being capable of adhering to the target tissue site and comprising one or more biodegradable depots containing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent. In various embodiments, the gel is sprayable and hardens after contacting the target tissue site.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic 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 twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for 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: Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist and at least one beta adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat pain and/or inflammation.

Abstract: Methods for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome in a subject involve providing an effective amount of an anti-cytokine agent at or near inflammation in the carpal or tarsal tunnel. Anti-cytokine agents, such as, TNF-a inhibitors, NF-?B inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, IL-8 inhibitors, IL-12 inhibitors, IL-15 inhibitors, IL-10, Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) act to prevent further inflammation initiated by cytokine factors. One embodiment includes, adding with the anti-cytokine agent one or more of an antibiotic or analgesic. Delivery of the anti-cytokine agent may be provided to the inflamed tissue of the carpal or tarsal tunnel by injection, implantation, or a transdermal patch. These agents, individually or in combination, directly address the underlying inflammation that causes the discomfort, pain, and restricted movement associated with carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: The invention provides a bone implant, or osteograft, with improved retention of bioactive agents within the surface of the osteograft. Pits or pits formed within the surface of the osteograft have porous plugs placed within them to retain fluid comprising bioactive agents. Pits can also be formed so that the dimensions of the pits facilitate retention of fluid within a pit by hydrostatic attraction of fluid molecules within the pit.

Abstract: Methods for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome in a subject involve providing an effective amount of an anti-cytokine agent at or near inflammation in the carpal or tarsal tunnel. Anti-cytokine agents, such as, TNF-a inhibitors, NF-?B inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, IL-8 inhibitors, IL-12 inhibitors, IL-15 inhibitors, IL-10, Interferon-gamma (IFN-?) act to prevent further inflammation initiated by cytokine factors. One embodiment includes, adding with the anti-cytokine agent one or more of an antibiotic or analgesic. Delivery of the anti-cytokine agent may be provided to the inflamed tissue of the carpal or tarsal tunnel by injection, implantation, or a transdermal patch. These agents, individually or in combination, directly address the underlying inflammation that causes the discomfort, pain, and restricted movement associated with carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: Methods for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome in a subject involve providing an effective amount of an anti-cytokine agent at or near inflammation in the carpal or tarsal tunnel. Anti-cytokine agents, such as, TNF-a inhibitors, NF-?B inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, IL-8 inhibitors, IL-12 inhibitors, IL-15 inhibitors, IL-10, Interferon-gamma (IFN-?) act to prevent further inflammation initiated by cytokine factors. One embodiment includes, adding with the anti-cytokine agent one or more of an antibiotic or analgesic. Delivery of the anti-cytokine agent may be provided to the inflamed tissue of the carpal or tarsal tunnel by injection, implantation, or a transdermal patch. These agents, individually or in combination, directly address the underlying inflammation that causes the discomfort, pain, and restricted movement associated with carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing ingrowth of host bone comprising: modifying a bone graft structure to provide an ionic gradient to produce a modified bone graft structure; and implanting the modified bone graft structure. The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing the binding of growth factors and cell cultures to a bone graft structure comprising: applying ex vivo an effective quantity of an ionic force change agent to the surface of a bone graft structure to produce a binding-sensitized bone graft structure; implanting the binding-sensitized bone graft structure into a host bone; and administering to the binding-sensitized bone graft structure a molecule, a cell culture or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A drug cartridge is provided for delivering a drug pellet to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the drug cartridge comprising: two or more chambers, each chamber holding a drug pellet and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the chamber having an opening to receive the drug pellet and a plunger, the distal end of the chamber having an opening for receiving the plunger and passage of the drug pellet, a bulking agent disposed within at least a portion of each chamber, wherein movement of the plunger to an extended position moves the drug pellet within the chamber of the cartridge out the distal end of the chamber and out of the drug cartridge. In some embodiments, instead or with the bulking agent pierceable superior and inferior covers are used to contain the drug pellets.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist and at least one beta adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat pain and/or inflammation.