Drug cartridge for delivering a drug depot comprising a bulking agent and/or cover

摘要

A drug cartridge is provided for delivering a drug pellet to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the drug cartridge comprising: two or more chambers, each chamber holding a drug pellet and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the chamber having an opening to receive the drug pellet and a plunger, the distal end of the chamber having an opening for receiving the plunger and passage of the drug pellet, a bulking agent disposed within at least a portion of each chamber, wherein movement of the plunger to an extended position moves the drug pellet within the chamber of the cartridge out the distal end of the chamber and out of the drug cartridge. In some embodiments, instead or with the bulking agent pierceable superior and inferior covers are used to contain the drug pellets.

主权项

1. A drug cartridge for delivering at least one drug pellet to a site beneath the skin of a patient, the drug cartridge comprising:
two or more chambers, each chamber holding a drug pellet and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the chamber having an opening to receive the drug pellet, and a plunger, the distal end of the chamber having an opening for receiving the plunger and passage of the drug pellet, and a handle disposed above and contacting the plunger and the handle disposed above a housing, a bulking agent contacting an interior portion of each chamber and being external to the drug pellet held in each chamber so as to fill each chamber to prevent each drug pellet from repositioning itself therein during delivery of the drug pellet to the site beneath the skin, and at least two indicators, each indicator having two prongs on an outer surface of the drug cartridge, each of the at least two indicators configured for engagement with the housing, wherein movement of the handle in a downward direction moves the plunger to an extended position, which moves the drug pellet within the chamber of the cartridge out the distal end of the chamber and out of the drug cartridge to the site beneath the skin.