Drug delivery devices for deployment in genitourinary sites
Implantable drug delivery devices are provided to have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, and the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the drug reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.
1. A drug delivery device comprising:
a shape-memory filament that is preprogrammed to achieve an expanded shape and is deformable into an elongated shape; and
a plurality of extended-release drug beads, each of which comprises a drug, spaced along the filament,
wherein the device is configured to be deployed in a genitourinary site within a human patient and then to release the drug to the site.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the drug beads is in the form of a bioresorbable matrix material in which the drug is dispersed.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the expanded shape is a coiled shape.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device does not include a housing structure.
5. The device of claim 1 , which is configured to be deployed into the bladder of the patient through a catheter or cystoscope that extends through the urethra to the bladder.