Intravascular drug delivery device and use therefor

摘要

Disclosed is an implantable drug delivery device for delivering a pre-selected drug directly into the systemic circulation of an animal. The device comprises an anchor immobilizable to an inner wall of an intact blood vessel. The device also comprises a drug containing reservoir that is retained in place within the blood vessel by the immobilized anchor. The reservoir may include, for example, a drug containing osmotic pump or a drug permeable capsule having disposed therein drug containing particles, which release the drug directly into blood passing the reservoir. The invention also provides a minimally invasive method for introducing into a blood vessel and, optionally, removing from the blood vessel the drug delivery device of the invention.