Drug delivery implants

Abstract

An orthopaedic implant system includes an orthopaedic implant implantable at a selected location within a corporeal body and configured for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the corporeal body. The implant includes a reservoir and a plurality of channels. The reservoir is configured for receiving the at least one therapeutic agent. The plurality of channels are configured for conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 088,379, entitled “DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANTS”, filed Aug. 13, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to implants, and, more particularly, to orthopaedic implants.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Orthopaedic implants include short-term implants, long-term implants, and non-permanent implants. Short-term implants include implants for the treatment of infection. Long-term implants include total implants for total hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow joints. Non-permanent implants include trauma products such as nails, plates, and external fixation devices.[0006]Regarding short-term implants, when tissue, especially bone, surrounding an orthopaedic implant becomes infected, that implant must typically be removed, the infection must be elimina...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an orthopaedic implant that allows for the delivery of drugs directly to the bone.

[0023]Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a temporary or short-term implant that would allow for the delivery of antibiotics directly to the bone and surrounding tissue.

[0024]Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it would allow for post-operative injections of antibiotics into the implant, thereby allowing for the delivery of multiple antibiotics throughout treatment.

[0025]Yet another advantage of the present inv...

Problems solved by technology

The shortcomings of such implants are the limited duration in which they deliver a clinically relevant dose of antibiotics, the lack of ability to change antibiotic type or dose during the 4-12 week treatment time, and the limited patient mobility, range of motion, and weight bearing that they allow.

However, beyond one week, the antibiotic cement implants provide no useful amount of antibiotics.

Since the type of antibiotic cement used in current temporary implants must be chosen at or before the time of surgery, the information...

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