Details for Patent: 7,951,132

Title:	Sinus delivery of sustained release therapeutics
Abstract:	The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
Inventor(s):	Eaton; Donald J. (Los Altos, CA), Moran; Mary Lynn (Woodside, CA), Brenneman; Rodney A. (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
Assignee:	Intersect, ENT, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA)
Filing Date:	Oct 24, 2008
Application Number:	12/258,277
Claims:	1. A method for treating a sinus condition comprising: accessing a paranasal sinus cavity with a delivery device loaded with a plurality of biodegradable implants; activating the delivery device to a first configuration to deliver a first of the plurality of biodegradable implants to the paranasal sinus cavity; and subsequently activating the delivery device to a second configuration to deliver a second of the plurality of biodegradable implants to the paranasal sinus cavity, wherein the first biodegradable implant comprises an active agent. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first biodegradable implant is delivered through a sinus ostium. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first biodegradable implant is delivered through a sinus wall. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the first biodegradable implant comprises delivering the first biodegradable implant with a pusher. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the first biodegradable implant comprises delivering the first biodegradable implant with a pressurized gas. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first biodegradable implant is a biodegradable polymeric implant. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery device is a sharp-tipped conduit. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery device is an angulated conduit. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein a distal portion of the conduit is angulated at an angle between about zero degrees to about 135 degrees. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery device comprises a conduit with a distal opening located at the tip of the conduit. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery device comprises a conduit with a distal opening located in a side wall of the conduit. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first biodegradable implant comprises a series of predetermined fracture lines. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first biodegradable implant comprises a therapeutic amount of an anti-inflammatory active agent. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the anti-inflammatory active agent comprises mometasone furoate. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the anti-inflammatory active agent comprises budesonide. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the anti-inflammatory active agent comprises fluticasone propionate. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the anti-inflammatory active agent comprises triamcinolone acetonide.