Biodegradable implants sized and suitable for implantation in an ocular region or site and methods for treating ocular conditions. The implants provide an extended release of an active agent at a therapeutically effective amount for a period of time between 50 days and one year, or longer.

This invention relates to a bioerodible drug delivery device that can be implanted in a patient at or near an area in need of treatment. The bioerodible drug delivery device can be used to deliver a wide variety of different pharmaceutically active agents, and can do so at a controlled rate and over an extended period of time. The bioerodible drug delivery device includes a bioerodible polymeric outer housing with one or more delivery ports for delivering the pharmaceutically active agent(s) contained therein. The polymer used as the bioerodible polymeric outer housing is not substantially degraded during the dosing of the pharmaceutically active agent(s) in the bioerodible drug delivery device. The invention also provides methods of making the bioerodible drug delivery device and using it for the treatment of diseases and disorders.

The invention discloses naltrexone implantable tablets which are devoid of metal salts and corticosteroids, and which provide consistent and controlled amount of naltrexone for 3 months or more; also disclosed is methods of treatment comprising the implants and methods of sterilization of the implants.

The invention provides biodegradable implants sized for implantation in an ocular region and methods for treating medical conditions of the eye. The implants are formed from a mixture of hydrophilic end and hydrophobic end PLGA, and deliver active agents into an ocular region without a high burst release.

An intraocular active agent delivery device can include an active agent homogenously combined with a biodegradable active agent matrix such that the entire delivery device is homogenous. The homogenous delivery device can have a shape and size to fit within a lens capsule or ciliary sulcus of an eye and provide a therapeutically effective amount of the active agent to the eye. The biodegradable active agent matrix can be formulated to provide sustained release of the therapeutically effective amount of the active agent during a release period. In some examples, the active agent can include dexamethasone.

Provided herein is a method for producing a dosage form that can be customized according to a patient's needs. In particular, the invention relates to dosage forms comprising an erodible polymer and an active pharmaceutical agent, wherein the erodible polymer is designed to have a specified geometric shape. As described herein, the active agent is released from the dosage form as a function of the geometric shape of the erodible polymer.

Biocompatible intraocular implants include a prostamide component and a biodegradable polymer that is effective in facilitating release of the prostamide component into an eye for an extended period of time. The prostamide component may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat or reduce at least one symptom of an ocular condition, such as glaucoma.

Effective implantable medical devices and methods for reducing and treating acute pain by providing local anesthesia and nerve blockade using an imidazoline compound, such as clonidine are provided. In some embodiments, there is an injectable pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of imidazoline compound in a liquid pharmaceutical carrier, where the imidazoline compound provides local anesthesia and nerve block to the target tissue site which is a dorsal root ganglion, peripheral nerve fiber and/or peripheral nerve root.

Disclosed are nano/micromotor devices, systems, and methods for providing payloads in the gastrointestinal system. In one aspect, a micromotor for a gastrointestinal tract includes a micromotor body including a one or more material layers to provide a structure that surrounds a hollow interior region and has an opening to an exterior of the micromotor body; one or more particles including a biocompatible metal element, the one or more particles contained in the interior region of the micromotor body; a coating coupled to the structure of the micromotor body; and a payload material, in which the micromotor is structured to move in a fluid of a gastrointestinal system based on a reaction between the one or more particles and a constituent or a condition of the fluid, such that the reaction generates bubbles that accelerate out of the opening of the micromotor body to propel the micromotor in the fluid.

The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention.