Implantable refillable and ported controlled release drug delivery device

Abstract

An implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device is disclosed that includes a base structure having at least a first opening and a second opening, the base structure defining a chamber, a septum covering the first opening and configured to substantially prevent leakage from the first opening to an exterior of the device, a drug delivery tube comprising a first and second distal end, wherein the first distal end of the tube communicates with the chamber through the second opening, and at least one rate-limiting permeable membrane disposed across a passage between the base structure and the second distal end of the drug delivery tube, which membrane passively regulates drug delivery. The drug delivery device is used to provide controlled drug delivery to an internal portion of the body and is advantageously leak-proof and does not rely on a pressure differential to drive the drug from the device.

1 . An implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device, comprising: 
 a base structure having at least a first opening and a second opening, the base structure defining a chamber;    a septum covering the first opening and configured to substantially prevent leakage from the first opening to an exterior of the device;    a drug delivery tube comprising a first and second distal end, wherein the first distal end of the tube communicates with the chamber through the second opening, and    at least one rate-limiting permeable membrane disposed across a passage between the base structure and the second distal end of the drug delivery tube, which membrane passively regulates drug delivery.    
   
   
       2 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises two rate-limiting permeable membranes.  
   
   
       3 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1  wherein said rate-limiting permeable membrane is located between the hollow reservoir and an opening of the drug delivery tube.  
   
   
       4 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber contains a drug to be delivered at a controlled rate to a target area of the body.  
   
   
       5 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 4 , wherein the target area of the body is the brain and the device is configured to deliver the drug thereto.  
   
   
       6 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a filter housing provided within the chamber adjacent the second opening; and    a filter element provided between the rate-limiting permeable membranes and the filter housing.    
   
   
       7 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein an upper portion of the filter housing comprises a needle stop.  
   
   
       8 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion of the filter housing comprising a needle stop is disposed over the second opening.  
   
   
       9 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 8 , wherein the upper portion of the filter housing comprising a needle stop comprises a plurality of perforations.  
   
   
       10 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a depressed region at least partially circumscribing the second opening, wherein the rate-limiting permeable membrane is positioned at least partially within the depressed region.  
   
   
       11 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a retaining ring for compressively securing the septum in place.    
   
   
       12 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 11 , wherein the retaining ring and the base structure comprise a biologically compatible metal.  
   
   
       13 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 12 , wherein the biologically compatible metal comprises one of titanium or stainless steel.  
   
   
       14 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 11 , wherein the retaining ring and the base structure comprise a substantially rigid non-metallic biologically compatible material.  
   
   
       15 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 14 , wherein the biologically compatible material comprises one of a Polysulfone, an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, organometallic composites, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, epoxy resins, polycarbonate, polyacetal, nylon, polyimide, and a pyrolytic carbon.  
   
   
       16 . A method of controlling the delivery of a drug to an internal portion of a body comprising: 
 administering a drug to an internal portion of the body through a device according to  claim 11  to control the delivery of the drug.    
   
   
       17 . A method of controlling drug delivery to an internal portion of a body comprising administration of a drug to an internal portion of the body through a device according to  claim 1  to control delivery of the drug.  
   
   
       18 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the septum comprises one of a polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose esters, polymer composites, Poly(2,6-Dimethylphenylene oxide), or polyether sulfone.  
   
   
       19 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 3 , wherein the septum comprises one of a polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose esters, polymer composites, Poly(2,6-Dimethylphenylene oxide), or polyether sulfone.  
   
   
       20 . The implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the septum comprises at least one of a silicone elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, and polysulfide elastomer.