Claims for Patent: 7,951,133

Summary for Patent: 7,951,133

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)
Application Number:	12/258,282
Patent Claims:	1. A method for treating a sinus condition comprising: a) creating access to a paranasal sinus cavity with a delivery device loaded with a biodegradable implant; and b) delivering the biodegradable implant to the paranasal sinus cavity, wherein the biodegradable implant is a solid implant having a first delivery form for facilitating delivery into the paranasal sinus cavity and a second form, different from the first form, the second form having a shape that substantially prevents clearance of the implant from the paranasal sinus cavity, and wherein the biodegradable implant comprises a therapeutic amount of an active agent. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the biodegradable implant is delivered through a sinus ostium. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the biodegradable implant is delivered through a sinus wall. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the biodegradable implant comprises delivering the biodegradable implant with a pusher. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the biodegradable implant comprises delivering the biodegradable implant with a pressurized gas. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the 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 biodegradable implant comprises a series of predetermined fracture lines. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the 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.