Nanochanneled device and related methods

Abstract

A capsule configured for in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the capsule may contain methotrexate.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a capsule;   a bladder located within the capsule;   a first port where the first port extends through the capsule and bladder; and   a second port where the second port extends through the capsule but does not extend through the bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the capsule comprises a nanochannel delivery device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the nanochannel delivery device is in fluid communication with the bladder. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first port and the second, port are configured so that the first port and the second port can be accessed externally when the capsule is implanted in vivo. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the capsule is generally disc-shaped and comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the first port and the second port are both located on either the first side or the second side. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the capsule comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first port and the second port are aligned when the capsule is viewed from the first end or the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the capsule comprises a primary axis extending from the first end to the second end and wherein a reference line connecting the first port and the second port is generally parallel to the primary axis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first port comprises a first septum and the second port comprises a second septum. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the first septum and the second septum are self-sealing after being punctured by a needle. 
     
     
         10 . A method of in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent contained in a capsule, the method comprising:
 implanting in vivo a capsule comprising a first port, a second port, and an internal bladder, wherein the first port extends through the capsule and the internal bladder and the second port extends through capsule but does not extend through the bladder;   inserting a first needle into the first port; inserting a second needle into the second port;   injecting therapeutic agent into the first port; and   withdrawing fluid from the second port.   
     
     
         11 . A method of in vivo refilling of a therapeutic agent contained in a capsule, the method comprising:
 implanting in vivo a capsule comprising a first port that extends through the capsule;   inserting a needle into the first port, wherein:
 the needle comprises a first lumen that extends into the capsule a first distance; 
 the needle comprises a second lumen that extends into the capsule a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; 
   extracting fluid from the capsule with the first needle or second needle; and   injecting the therapeutic agent into the capsule with the first needle or the second needle, wherein the needle used to inject the therapeutic agent is not the same needle that is used to extract the fluid from the capsule.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein extracting the fluid from the capsule and injecting the therapeutic agent into the capsule are performed at the same time. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a condition of a person, the method comprising:
 providing a nanochannel delivery device;   providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the nanochannel delivery device;   providing methotrexate in the reservoir; and   administering the methotrexate to the person via the nanochannel delivery device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the methotrexate is administered to treat adult rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the methotrexate is administered to treat psoriasis.