Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to treat sinusitis and other disorders

摘要

Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and/or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.

主权项

1. A method for diagnosing or treating a disorder of a paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium of a human or animal subject by delivering a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium, said method comprising:
causing a portion of a substance delivery device to be implanted in the paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium, wherein the substance delivery device comprises:
an expandable reservoir having a collapsed configuration during advancement into the paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium and is thereafter expandable to an expanded configuration by introducing the substance into the expandable reservoir, wherein the reservoir, when in the collapsed configuration, has an intraostial portion that is configured and positioned to engage at least a portion of tissue forming the paranasal sinus ostium and an intrasinus portion that resides within the paranasal sinus while the intraostial portion resides within the paranasal sinus ostium, and wherein the substance delivery device further comprises:
a removable fill tube extending from said reservoir, said fill tube having a lumen through which the substance may be introduced into the reservoir causing expansion of the reservoir, anda barrier through which the substance which has been introduced into the reservoir subsequently passes out of the reservoir; introducing the substance through the tube and into the reservoir while the reservoir is implanted such that its intrasinus portion is in the paranasal sinus and its intraostial portion is within the paranasal sinus ostium of that paranasal sinus, thereby causing the reservoir to assume the expanded configuration and resulting in subsequent passage of the substance through the barrier and out of the reservoir; removing the fill tube from the reservoir and withdrawing the fill tube from the paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium; and leaving the reservoir implanted for a period of time sufficient for substance passing through the barrier and out of the reservoir to have an intended diagnostic or therapeutic effect on the paranasal sinus or paranasal sinus ostium.