Sinus delivery of sustained release therapeutics
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.
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.