Methods for using anal and perianal therapeutic substance delivery device

Abstract

A method of delivering an agent to a mammal includes providing a device with an agent for delivery of the agent to anal and/or perianal tissues of the mammal. The device is inserted into an anus of the mammal and then an expandable portion of the device is expanded to anchor the device within the anus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering an agent to a mammal, comprising:
 a) providing a device for delivery of the agent to anal and/or perianal tissues of the mammal, the device provided with the agent;   b) inserting the device into an anus of the mammal;   c) then expanding an expandable portion of the device to anchor the device within the anus of the mammal; and   d) waiting until an amount of the agent has been delivered to the anal and/or perianal tissues.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after the waiting, releasing the device from the anus of the mammal.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is a systemic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is preloaded into the device upon manufacture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is loaded into the device at or adjacent a site of the inserting. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, and the agent is delivered in a radial direction to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is delivered to anal and/or perianal tissues in contact with the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a closed distal end that prevents passage of the agent or other flowable materials beyond the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         10 . A method of delivering an agent to a mammal, comprising:
 a) providing a device having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a distal expandable anchor portion;   b) inserting the device into an anus of the mammal;   c) expanding the anchor portion to anchor the device within the anus of the mammal; and   d) delivering the agent through the shaft relatively radially of the longitudinal axis to the anal and/or perianal tissues of the mammal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the agent is delivered to anal and/or perianal tissues in contact with the device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 after delivering,   waiting until an amount of the agent has been delivered; and then   releasing the device from the anus of the mammal.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the agent is preloaded into the device upon manufacture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the agent is loaded into the device at or adjacent a site of the inserting. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device has a closed distal end that prevents passage of the agent or other flowable materials beyond the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         16 . A method of delivering an agent to a mammal, comprising:
 a) providing a device having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a porous wall and a distal expandable anchor portion, the device adapted to prevents passage of the agent or other flowable materials beyond the distal end of the device;   b) inserting the device into an anus of the mammal;   c) expanding the anchor portion to anchor the device within the anus of the mammal; and   d) delivering the agent through the porous wall of the shaft to the anal and/or perianal tissues of the mammal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agent is delivered to anal and/or perianal tissues in contact with the device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 after delivering,   waiting until an amount of the agent has been delivered; and then   releasing the device from the anus of the mammal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agent is preloaded into the device upon manufacture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agent is loaded into the device at or adjacent a site of the inserting.