METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE ABLATION OF NERVES
Methods, devices and materials are for a pharmaceutically acceptable implant system. The implant system may comprise a neuromodulating agent, solid particulate hydrogel particle, a carrier medium in a different physical phase, and in situ formation of a singular depot for sustained release of said agent.
1 .- 32 . (canceled)
33 . A pharmaceutically acceptable implant system comprising:
a neuromodulating agent;
solid particulate hydrogel particles;
a carrier medium in a different physical phase; and
in situ formation of a singular depot for sustained release of said agent.
34 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claims 33 , wherein the hydrogel particles contain reactive precursors.
35 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 34 , wherein reactive precursors covalently bond to form a hydrogel.
36 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 33 , wherein the hydrogel particles are spheroidal with a maximum diameter of between about 20 to about 300 microns.
37 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 36 , wherein the hydrogel particles are 50-150 um.
38 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 33 , wherein the neuromodulating agent may be an anesthetic.
39 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 33 , further comprising a therapeutic agent.
40 . The pharmaceutically acceptable implant system of claim 33 , wherein the neuromodulating agent is released in a sustained manner due to delayed diffusion of water into a reactive hydrogel particulate system.
41 . A implant system comprising:
a suspension of particles,
wherein the particles are in a different physical phase than an injectable carrier medium,
wherein the particles contain a neuromodulating agent for sustained delivery to a nerve, and
wherein the implant system is both echogenic and radiopaque.
42 . The implant system of claim 41 , wherein the particles react to form a hydrogel depot.
43 . The implant system of claim 42 , wherein the hydrogel is a product of a covalent crosslinking chemical reaction between at least two precursors, with one of the precursors comprising a branched polyethylene glycol with at least four arms.
44 . The implant system of claim 43 , wherein degradation products of the particles comprise a polyethylene glycol covalently bound a water labile segment capable of hydrolysis.
45 . The implant system of claim 42 , wherein the hydrogel depot being hydrolytically biodegradable.
46 . An injectable neuromodulating system comprising:
a plurality of solid particles suspended in an injectable carrier medium,
wherein the particles comprise an agent capable of modulating a nerve, and
wherein the particles form a hydrogel depot capable of sustained delivery of the agent.
47 . The injectable neuromodulating system of claim 46 , wherein the agent is loaded between 1 and 75% within the particle on a mass basis.
48 . The injectable neuromodulating system of claim 46 , wherein the agent is released in a sustained manner due to delayed diffusion of water into a reactive hydrogel particulate system.
49 . The injectable neuromodulating system of claim 46 , wherein the agent is highly soluble and releases >24 hours.
50 . The injectable neuromodulating system of claim 46 , wherein the agent is encapsulated in a hydrophobic secondary polymer for suspension within precursor melt particles.
51 . A method for treating chronic pain comprising:
injection particles suspended in a different physical phase from an injectable carrier medium,
wherein the particles are capable of sustained delivery of an agent to a nerve, and
wherein the particles can be visualized under ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the particles comprise a radiopaque agent.