Drug-loaded medical device

Abstract

A medical device is designed to be placed in a patient's body and release one or more therapeutic agents therefrom. The medical device includes an elongated member defining a passage for passing bodily fluids therethrough and at least one enclosed internal space for containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The elongated member may further define one or more pores in fluid communication with the enclosed internal space. The medical device can deliver one or more therapeutic agents at a desired level or volume, over a desired period of time, and from a desired location of the device. Therapeutic agents may be released through the body of the medical device by diffusion and/or through the one or more pores.

1 . A medical device for passing one or more bodily fluids and releasing at least one therapeutic agent into a body of a patient, the device comprising: an elongated member defining a passage for passing the one or more bodily fluids, the passage extending at least partially through the elongated member; and an enclosed internal space defined by the elongated member for holding at least one therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       2 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is placeable within at least a portion of the enclosed internal space and is releasable into the body of the patient through the elongated member when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       3 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member defines at least one pore in communication with the enclosed internal space for releasing the at least one therapeutic agent into the body of the patient when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       4 . The medical device of  claim 3  further comprising at least one plug disposed within the at least one pore, wherein the at least one plug comprises a biodegradable barrier.  
   
   
       5 . The medical device of  claim 3  wherein the elongated member comprises a hydrophobic polymer.  
   
   
       6 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one sealed opening defined by one end of the elongated member, the opening in communication with the enclosed internal space to provide access to the enclosed internal space for loading the at least one therapeutic agent prior to use.  
   
   
       7 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed internal space extends along substantially the entire length of the elongated member.  
   
   
       8 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the passage is eccentric to the elongated member.  
   
   
       9 . The medical device of  claim 8  wherein the enclosed internal space extends along a length of the elongated member substantially parallel to the passage.  
   
   
       10 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the enclosed internal space is eccentric to the elongated member.  
   
   
       11 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising a biodegradable coating disposed on an external surface of the elongated member.  
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 11  wherein the biodegradable coating includes at least one therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member comprises: a first polymer having a first durometer value; and a second polymer having a second durometer value.  
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising a second enclosed internal space defined by the elongated member for holding a second therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 14  wherein the enclosed internal space and second enclosed internal space are disposed on opposing sides of the passage along the longitudinal axis of the elongated member.  
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 14  further comprising a second therapeutic agent placeable within at least a portion of the second enclosed internal space and releasable into the body of the patient through the elongated member when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       17 . The medical device of  claim 16  wherein the at least one therapeutic agent and the second therapeutic agent are the same.  
   
   
       18 . The medical device of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the enclosed internal space and second enclosed internal space includes a plurality of therapeutic agents.  
   
   
       19 . The medical device of  claim 14  wherein the elongated member defines at least one pore in communication with the second enclosed internal space for releasing the second therapeutic agent into the body of the patient when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       20 . The medical device of  claim 19  further comprising at least one plug disposed within the at least one pore, wherein the at least one plug comprises a biodegradable barrier.  
   
   
       21 . The medical device of  claim 6  wherein the opening is sealed with a radiopaque material.  
   
   
       22 . A method of placing a medical device for passing one or more bodily fluids and releasing at least one therapeutic agent into a body of a patient, comprising: (a) providing a medical device comprising: (i) an elongated member defining a passage for passing the one or more bodily fluids, the passage extending at least partially through the elongated member; and (ii) an enclosed internal space defined by the elongated member for holding the at least one therapeutic agent; and (b) placing the medical device into the body of the patient.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is placeable within at least a portion of the enclosed internal space and is releasable into the body of the patient through the elongated member when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the elongated member also defines an opening at one end of the elongated member, the opening in communication with the enclosed internal space to provide access to the enclosed internal space for loading the at least one therapeutic agent, the opening for being sealed after loading and prior to the medical device being disposed within the body of the patient.  
   
   
       25 . A method for delivering at least one therapeutic agent into a body of a patient, comprising: (a) providing a medical device comprising: (i) an elongated member defining a passage for passing one or more bodily fluids, the passage extending at least partially through the elongated member; and (ii) an enclosed internal space defined by the elongated member for holding the at least one therapeutic agent; and (iv) at least one therapeutic agent placeable within at least a portion of the enclosed internal space and releasable into the body of the patient through the elongated member when the medical device is disposed within the body of the patient; and (b) placing the medical device within the body of the patient; and (c) passing the at least one therapeutic agent through the elongated member, thereby delivering the therapeutic agent to the body of the patient.