Device and method for improving retention of a therapy in the bladder

Abstract

Devices that are placed within fluid-filled organs, such as the bladder, which reduce the risk of bacterial infections using a combination of active agents and mechanical disruption of bacteria.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for improving retention in a urinary bladder, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of particles each having therapeutic properties where at least each particle of the plurality of particles has a buoyancy resulting in flotation of the plurality of particles in a urine contained in the urinary bladder, where a size of each particle of the plurality of particles falls within a pre-determined size range; and   delivering the plurality of particles through a urethra into the urinary bladder wherein the plurality of particles float to a surface of the urine, such that upon contraction of the urinary bladder one or more rugae on a wall of the urinary bladder contracts to form a fold in tissue, where a combination of the buoyancy and the pre-determined size range of the plurality of particles causes the one or more rugae to encase the plurality of particles in the fold of tissue such that a number of particles is retained in the urinary bladder over a series of cycles in which the urinary bladder refills and empties with urine.