Abstract: The invention provides a drug delivery device for one or more drugs. The device has a drug core which is surrounded by an internal and external sheath. The external sheath has a first cap that is permeable to at least one drug in the core. The first cap may comprise polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the PVA may be heat cured. In certain aspects, there are one or more additional caps on the ends of the sheaths formed from one or more polymers. In certain aspects, one or more portions of the drug delivery device are substantially impermeable to one or more drugs in the drug core. In certain aspects, the drug elutes through the first cap into a biological environment. The invention further provides methods for manufacturing the drug delivery device.

Abstract: The invention provides a drug delivery device for latanoprost or latanoprost acid. The device has a core of latanoprost or latanoprost acid which is surrounded by an internal and external sheath. The external sheath has a first cap that is permeable to latanoprost or latanoprost acid. The first cap may comprise polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the PVA may be heat cured. In certain aspects, there are one or more additional caps on the ends of the sheaths formed from one or more polymers. In certain aspects, one or more portions of the drug delivery device is substantially impermeable to latanoprost or latanoprost acid. In certain aspects, the latanoprost or latanoprost acid elutes through the first cap into a biological environment. The invention further provides methods for manufacturing the drug delivery device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for administering a corticosteroid to a posterior segment of an eye. In the method, a sustained release device is implanted to deliver the corticosteroid to the eye. The aqueous corticosteroid concentration remains less than vitreous corticosteroid concentration during release of the corticosteroid from the device.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating macular edema in a patient that include determining whether the patient has been diagnosed with or has experienced symptoms of macular edema for a predetermined period of time. If the patient has been diagnosed with or has experienced symptoms of macular edema for a predetermined period of time, the method of treatment includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of an AED to the patient. If the patient has not been diagnosed with or has experienced symptoms of macular edema for a predetermined period of time, the method of treatment optionally includes treating the patient with a therapy other than an AED. The invention further provides methods of treating macular edema in a patient using methods of and devices for administering an AED.

Abstract: Implantable, injectable, insertable, or otherwise administrable compositions that form hydrogels when implanted, injected, inserted, or administered into or onto living tissues comprise a pharmaceutically effective compound wherein the pharmaceutically effective compound is a codrug, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof in admixture with a hydrogel-forming compound. The pharmaceutically effective compound may be any compound that is soluble in bodily fluids, or that forms bodily fluid-soluble adducts when exposed to bodily fluids. Exemplary compounds include analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds. The hydrogel-forming compound is a biologically tolerated substance that forms a hydrogel upon exposure to bodily fluids, such as the interstitial fluid surrounding or within a joint.

Abstract: This invention discloses bioerodible devices, such as implants for delivering therapeutic agents, particularly large molecules such as proteins and antibodies, in a controlled manner. The devices comprise a porous silicon-based carrier material impregnated with the therapeutic agent. The device may be used in vitro or in vivo to deliver the therapeutic agent, preferably in a controlled fashion over an intended period of time such as over multiple days, weeks or months. The device may be used for treating or preventing conditions of a patient such as chronic diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sustained release system that includes a polymer and a pharmaceutically active agent dispersed in the polymer. The agent is in granular or particulate form, and has a rate of release from the system that is limited primarily by the rate at which the agent dissolves from the granules into the polymer matrix. Advantageously, the polymer is permeable to the agent and is non-release-rate-limiting with respect to the rate of release of the agent from the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sustained release system that includes a polymer and a prodrug having a solubility less than about 1 mg/ml dispersed in the polymer. Advantageously, the polymer is permeable to the prodrug and may be non-release rate limiting with respect to the rate of release of the prodrug from the polymer. This permits improved drug delivery within a body in the vicinity of a surgery via sustained release rate kinetics over a prolonged period of time, while not requiring complicated manufacturing processes.

Abstract: An injectable drug delivery device includes a core containing one or more drugs and one or more polymers. The core may be surrounded by one or more polymer outer layers (referred to herein as “coatings,” “skins,” or “outer layers”). In certain embodiments, the device is formed by extruding or otherwise preforming a polymeric skin for a drug core. The drug core may be co-extruded with the skin, or inserted into the skin after the skin has been extruded, and possibly cured. In other embodiments, the drug core may be coated with one or more polymer coatings. These techniques may be usefully applied to fabricate devices having a wide array of drug formulations and skins that can be selected to control the release rate profile and various other properties of the drugs in the drug core in a form suitable for injection using standard or non-standard gauge needles.

Abstract: Compositions for controlled release of one or more therapeutic agents where the composition is essentially free of excipients are disclosed. In particular, compositions comprising a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, particularly simvastatin, and a NSAID, such as a COX-2 inhibitor, particularly celecoxib, in which greater than 90% of the weight of the composition is made up of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and NSAID are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid controlled-release drug delivery compositions which gel upon injection into the body to form, in situ, controlled-release drug implants. The compositions of the invention feature a gel-forming polymer that is insoluble in water, a polyethylene glycol solvent in which the polymer is dissolved, and the drug substance to be delivered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel suspension delivery system for the sustained and controlled release of pharmaceuticals. Methods of preparation and use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft which includes a cabin for the aircrew which is pressurised in normal flight, and a deployment door which is opened in high altitude flight when the cabin will be depressurised, to enable a passenger and/or a load to be deployed from the depressurised cabin of the aircraft to the ground, the aircraft including an installed breathing gas system for providing a limited capacity supply of breathing gas to the aircrew in the cabin in the event of an emergency cabin de-compression, the installed breathing gas system including a source of breathing gas being substantially pure oxygen, and a line from the source to a face mask for delivering the breathing gas to an aircrew member, the method including prior to take-off on a mission according to a mission plan, determining whether the mission plan includes depressurising the cabin and opening the deployment door at high altitude, and where the cabin is planned to be depressurised at high altitude, prior to take-off on the mission, lo

Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable drug-eluting particle useful for the delivery of diagnostic or therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, the drug-eluting particle of the invention comprises a biodegradable porous silicon body, a reservoir formed within the porous silicon body having at least one opening to an exterior of the body, wherein the reservoir contains a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and an agent-permeable seal disposed over the at least one opening. The invention further provides a method for treating a patient to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect comprising administering a sustained release drug delivery particle of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, methods and formulation for subcutaneous administration of a bisphosphonate. In such a device, a drug core, comprising a bisphosphonate, is disposed in a tube. The devices may be administered to a patient in need of subcutaneously wherein the release of the bisphosphonate is desired to provide sustained release of a therapeutically effective dose of the bisphosphonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for administering a corticosteroid to a posterior segment of an eye. In the method, a sustained release device is implanted to deliver the corticosteroid to the eye. The aqueous corticosteroid concentration remains less than vitreous corticosteroid concentration during release of the corticosteroid from the device.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a mammalian organism to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is provided. The method includes administering a sustained release drug delivery system to a mammalian organism in need of such treatment at an area wherein release of an effective agent is desired and allowing the effective agent to pass through the device in a controlled manner. The device includes an inner core or reservoir including the effective agent, an impermeable tube which encloses portions of the reservoir, and a permeable member at an end of the tube.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a mammalian organism to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is provided. The method includes administering a sustained release drug delivery system to a mammalian organism in need of such treatment at an area wherein release of an effective agent is desired and allowing the effective agent to pass through the device in a controlled. manner. The device includes an inner core or reservoir including the effective agent, an impermeable tube which encloses portions of the reservoir, and a permeable member at an end of the tube.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein provide sustained delivery of a therapeutic agent for treating a patient, e.g., human, to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect. Method includes positioning the sustained released drug delivery system at an area wherein release of the agent is desired and allowing the agent to pass through the device to the desired area of treatment. In some embodiments, the method is for treating or reducing the risk of retroviral or lentiviral infection. In certain embodiments, the method is for preventing or reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, wherein the therapeutic agent is an antiviral agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to codrugs having improved properties, methods for preparing and administering them, and methods of formulating and administering the codrugs as pharmaceutical preparations. In certain embodiments, the codrugs can be locally administered to deliver the constituent biologically active compound in a sustained-release fashion, reducing systemic concentrations of the biologically active compound.