Implantable devices and methods for treatment of pain by delivery of fentanyl and fentanyl congeners

Abstract

The invention features devices and methods for treatment of pain. The drug delivery device is a drug delivery system adapted for whole implantation in a subject and to provide pain relief by delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) over a protracted period of time (e.g., at least 3 days or more than 3 days). The device comprises a housing defining a reservoir that contains a drug formulation, a pump operatively connected to the housing so as to facilitate movement of drug out of the reservoir and out of the device, and a thermal expansion element which defines a flow pathway comprising a thermal expansion channel to accommodate thermal expansion of formulation in the reservoir. The device can further comprise a valve positioned within the flow pathway so as to prevent movement of drug out of the reservoir prior to use.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of inducing analgesia in a subject, the method comprising administration of sufentanil to the subject at a therapeutically effective rate to provide substantially continuous delivery of sufentanil at about 10 μg/hr over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein said administering induces analgesia in the subject.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 3 days.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 5 days.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 10 days.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 30 days.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 90 days.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said period is at least 1 month.  
     
     
         35 . A method of inducing analgesia in a subject, the method comprising administration of sufentanil to the subject at a therapeutically effective rate to provide substantially continuous delivery of sufentanil at about 20 μg/hr over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein said administering induces analgesia in the subject.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 3 days.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 5 days.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 10 days.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 30 days.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 90 days.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said period is at least 1 month.  
     
     
         42 . A method of inducing analgesia in a subject, the method comprising administration of sufentanil to the subject at a therapeutically effective rate to provide substantially continuous delivery of sufentanil at about 30 μg/hr over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein said administering induces analgesia in the subject.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 3 days.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 5 days.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 10 days.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 30 days.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 90 days.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said period is at least 1 month.  
     
     
         49 . A method of inducing analgesia in a subject, the method comprising administration of sufentanil to the subject at a therapeutically effective rate to provide substantially continuous delivery of sufentanil at about 40 μg/hr over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein said administering induces analgesia in the subject.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 3 days.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 5 days.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 10 days.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 30 days.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 90 days.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period is at least 1 month.  
     
     
         56 . A method of inducing analgesia in a subject, the method comprising administration of sufentanil to the subject at a therapeutically effective rate to provide substantially continuous delivery of sufentanil at about 50 μg/hr over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein said administering induces analgesia in the subject.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 3 days.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 5 days.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 10 days.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 30 days.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 90 days.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said period is at least 1 month.