Methods and apparatus for the enhanced delivery of physiologic agents to tissue surfaces

Abstract

Apparatus and methods deliver vasoconstrictive agents simultaneously with capnic gases. The capnic gases can enhance the effectiveness of the vasoconstrictive agent, lower the dosage of drug or concentration of agent necessary to achieve a therapeutic result, or both. Exemplary capnic gases include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 192852 (Attorney Docket No. 020017-000320US), filed Jul. 29, 2005, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 708,186 (Attorney Docket No. 020017-000310US), filed Nov. 7, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,708), which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 164,125, filed on Nov. 8, 1999 and 60 / 185,495, filed on Feb. 28, 2000, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to drug delivery. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for delivering agents that cause vasoconstriction to mucosal and other tissue surfaces in the presence of capnic gases, particularly for the treatment of migraine headaches. [0004] Drug delivery to mucosal surfaces, such as the mucosa of the nose, is well known...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In preferred protocols, at the onset of a migraine headache, the patient would take a dose of the vasoconstrictive agent and substantially simultaneously initiate delivery of the capnic gas to the target membrane. The capnic gas would provide a rapid onset of action, possibly by inhibiting the release of CGRP as described above, in order to interrupt or delay progression of the migraine episode. At the same time, the circulating plasma levels of the vasoconstrictive agent would increase, resulting in constriction of the cranial blood vessels. The patient would experience a more effective treatment in one of several ways. As the capnic gas would at least slow the progression of the migraine, the migraine would be less intense at the time effective plasma levels of the vasoconstrictive agent have been achieved. The magnitude of pain and associated symptoms experienced by the patient should be lessened at all points during the treatment. In other cases, the patient might benefit by reducing the dosage of the vasoconstrictive agent and thereby reducing side effects.

Problems solved by technology

At the same time, the circulating plasma levels of the vasoconstrictive agent would increase, resulting in constriction of the cranial blood vessels.

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