Implantable Device and Method for Delivering Drug Depots to a Site Beneath the Skin

Abstract

An implantable device and method is provided for anchoring a drug depot to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the device and method comprising a head, a shaft and a tip, the head having a recess and/or at least one projection arranged to be engaged by an implantation tool, the shaft having an outer surface that engages the site in a manner that holds the device at the site beneath the skin, the head or shaft having means for attaching the drug depot thereto, and the tip disposed on the shaft opposite the head and capable of insertion into the site beneath the skin of the patient.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for delivering a drug depot adjacent to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the method comprising: implanting a device comprising a head, a shaft and a tip, the head having a recess and/or at least one projection capable of being engaged by a turning tool and means for attaching the drug depot thereto, the shaft having a threaded outer surface that engages the site in a manner that holds the device at the site beneath the skin, and the tip being located on the shaft opposite the head and being capable of insertion to the site beneath the skin of the patient; engaging the recess and/or the projection of the head with the turning tool and turning the head causing the tip to be inserted into the site in such a manner so as to cause the outer surface of the shaft to engage the site; and attaching the drug depot to the recess and/or the projection of the head of the device, thereby anchoring the drug depot adjacent to the site beneath the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . A method for anchoring a drug depot according to  claim 18 , further comprising removing the anchored drug depot adjacent to the site and replacing the drug depot with a new drug depot. 
     
     
         20 . A method for anchoring a drug depot according to  claim 18 , further comprising removing the anchored drug depot adjacent to the site without removing the drug depot device.