U.S. patent application number 17/552325 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for therapeutic agent preparations for delivery into a lumen of the intestinal tract using a swallowable drug delivery device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rani Therapeutics, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Rani Therapeutics, LLC. Invention is credited to Mir IMRAN.
Application Number | 20220175890 17/552325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006156819 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220175890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IMRAN; Mir |
June 9, 2022 |
THERAPEUTIC AGENT PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERY INTO A LUMEN OF THE
INTESTINAL TRACT USING A SWALLOWABLE DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices,
preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic
agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable
device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a
swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the
intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various
drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the
capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and
degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a
therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to
delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation
is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the
preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal
wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the
delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or
degraded within the GI tract.
Inventors: |
IMRAN; Mir; (Los Altos
Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rani Therapeutics, LLC |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rani Therapeutics, LLC
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000006156819 |
Appl. No.: |
17/552325 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16405909 |
May 7, 2019 |
11229684 |
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17552325 |
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|
15824976 |
Nov 28, 2017 |
10335463 |
|
|
16405909 |
|
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|
13538793 |
Jun 29, 2012 |
9861683 |
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15824976 |
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12978164 |
Dec 23, 2010 |
8759284 |
|
|
13538793 |
|
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12978233 |
Dec 23, 2010 |
8721620 |
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12978164 |
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12978301 |
Dec 23, 2010 |
8562589 |
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12978233 |
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61571641 |
Jun 29, 2011 |
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61571632 |
Jun 29, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 38/27 20130101;
A61K 9/4808 20130101; A61L 27/54 20130101; A61M 31/002 20130101;
A61K 9/0053 20130101; A61M 25/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 38/27 20060101
A61K038/27; A61M 25/10 20060101 A61M025/10; A61K 9/00 20060101
A61K009/00; A61K 9/48 20060101 A61K009/48 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A swallowable device for delivering growth hormone into a
gastro-intestinal (GI) lumen wall of a patient, the device
comprising: a swallowable enclosure having an interior; a delivery
means disposed in the interior; and a growth hormone preparation
coupled to the delivery means, the growth hormone preparation being
supplied in the swallowable enclosure in a shaped form and
comprising a therapeutically effective dose of growth hormone;
wherein the delivery means is configured to advance the growth
hormone preparation out of the interior away from the delivery
means and into the GI lumen wall to release the therapeutically
effective dose of growth hormone into the patient's blood
stream.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the GI lumen is the small
intestine.
4. The device of claim 2 wherein the GI lumen is the stomach.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the delivery means is configured
to advance the growth hormone preparation out of the interior in
response to a condition in the GI lumen.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the condition is a selected
pH.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the pH is above about 7.1.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein a percentage by weight of growth
hormone in the growth hormone preparation is between about 2% to
about 10%.
9. The device of claim 2, wherein the therapeutically effective
dose of growth hormone is in a range from about 0.1 mg to about 4
mg.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the therapeutically effective
dose of growth hormone is in a range from about 0.2 mg to about 1
mg.
11. The device of claim 2, wherein the growth hormone is
somatropin.
12. The device of claim 2, wherein the growth hormone preparation
further comprises at least one pharmaceutical excipient.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one pharmaceutical
excipient comprises at least one of a binder, a preservative, or a
disintegrant.
14. The device of claim 2, wherein the growth hormone preparation
further comprises a feature for retaining the growth hormone
preparation within the GI lumen wall.
15. The device of claim 2, further comprising a tissue penetrating
member, wherein the tissue penetrating member comprises the growth
hormone preparation, and wherein the delivery means is configured
to apply a force to a surface of the tissue penetrating member to
advance the growth hormone preparation into the GI lumen wall.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the tissue penetrating member
is formed from the growth hormone preparation.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein the tissue penetrating member
further comprises a lumen, and wherein the growth hormone
preparation is disposed in the lumen.
18. The device of claim 2, wherein the delivery means comprises an
expandable balloon.
19. The device of claim 2, wherein the delivery means comprises a
spring.
20. A swallowable device for delivering growth hormone into a
gastro-intestinal (GI) lumen wall of a patient, the device
comprising: a swallowable capsule having an interior; a delivery
mechanism disposed in the interior; and a growth hormone
preparation operably coupled to the delivery mechanism, the growth
hormone preparation being supplied in the swallowable capsule in a
solid form and comprising a therapeutically effective dose of
growth hormone; wherein the delivery mechanism has a first
configuration and a second configuration, the growth hormone
preparation being contained within the capsule in the first
configuration and advanced out of the capsule and into the GI lumen
wall in the second configuration to release the therapeutically
effective dose of growth hormone into the patient's blood
stream.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the delivery mechanism
comprises at least one of an expandable member, an expandable
balloon, a valve, a tissue penetrating member, a valve coupled to
an expandable balloon, or a tissue penetrating member coupled to an
expandable balloon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/405,909, filed May 7, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/824,976, filed Nov. 28, 2017, now
U.S. Pat. No. 10,335,463; which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/538,793, filed Jun. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,861,683; which claims the benefit of the following U.S.
Provisional Applications: U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/571,632, filed on Jun. 29, 2011; and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/571,641, filed Jun. 29, 2011; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/538,793 is also a continuation in part of
the following U.S. patent applications: U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/978,233, filed on Dec. 23, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,721,620; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/978,164, filed on
Dec. 23, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,759,284; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/978,301, filed on Dec. 23, 2010, now U.S.
Pat. No. 8,562,589; all of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0002] This application is also related to Attorney Docket No.
42197-715.201 which was filed Jun. 25, 2012, as U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/532,589, which is incorporated by reference herein for
all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the invention relate to swallowable drug
delivery devices. More specifically, embodiments of the invention
relate to swallowable drug delivery devices for delivering drugs to
the small intestine.
[0004] While there has been an increasing development of new drugs
in recent years for the treatment of a variety of diseases, many
have limited application because they cannot be given orally. This
is due to a number of reasons including: poor oral toleration with
complications including gastric irritation and bleeding;
breakdown/degradation of the drug compounds in the stomach; and
poor, slow or erratic absorption of the drug. Conventional
alternative drug delivery methods such as intravenous and
intramuscular delivery have a number of drawbacks including pain
and risk of infection from a needle stick, requirements for the use
of sterile technique and the requirement and associated risks of
maintaining an IV line in a patient for an extended period of time.
While other drug delivery approaches have been employed such as
implantable drug delivery pumps, these approaches require the
semi-permanent implantation of a device and can still have many of
the limitations of IV delivery. Thus, there is a need for an
improved method for delivery of drugs and other therapeutic agents,
including a need for improved delivery of growth hormone for
treatment of growth hormone deficiency and related disorders.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems, kits
and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents to
various locations in the body. Many embodiments provide a
swallowable device for delivering drugs and other therapeutic
agents within the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Particular
embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for
delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents into the wall of the
small intestine or other GI organ wall. Embodiments of the
invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs and
other therapeutic agents which are poorly absorbed, poorly
tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract. Further, embodiments
of the invention can be used to deliver drugs which were previously
only capable of or preferably delivered by intravenous or other
form of parenteral administration including various non-vascular
injected forms of administration such as intramuscular or
subcutaneous injection.
[0006] In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a
therapeutic agent preparation for delivery into a wall of the
intestinal tract, the preparation comprises a therapeutically
effective dose of at least one therapeutic agent. The preparation
has a shape and material consistency to be contained in a
swallowable capsule or other device and delivered from the capsule
into the intestinal wall to release the dose of therapeutic agent
from within the intestinal wall.
[0007] In another embodiment, the invention provides a therapeutic
agent preparation for delivery into a wall of the intestinal tract
such as the wall of the small intestine, the preparation comprises
a therapeutically effective dose of at least one therapeutic agent.
The preparation is configured to be contained in a swallowable
capsule and operably coupled to an actuator, expandable balloon or
other device having a first configuration and a second
configuration. The preparation is contained within the capsule in
the first configuration and advanced out of the capsule and into
the intestinal wall in the second configuration to deliver the
therapeutic agent into the intestinal wall.
[0008] In other embodiments, the invention provides a method for
delivering a therapeutic agent into the wall of the small intestine
comprising swallowing a drug delivery device comprising a capsule,
an actuator and an embodiment of the therapeutic agent preparation.
The actuator is responsive to a condition in the small intestine
such as pH so as to actuate delivery of the therapeutic agent
preparation into the wall of the small intestine. In specific
embodiments, the actuator can comprise a release element or coating
on the capsule which is degraded by a selected pH in the small
intestine. Once degraded, the element or coating initiates delivery
of the therapeutic agent preparation by one or more delivery means
such as the by expansion of one or more balloons that are operably
coupled to tissue penetrating members that contain the therapeutic
agent preparation and are configured to penetrate and be advanced
into the intestinal wall upon expansion of the balloon. Once the
tissue penetrating members are in the intestinal wall, they degrade
to release the therapeutic agent into the bloodstream. Because the
therapeutic agent preparation is delivered directly into the wall
of the small intestine, the time period (described herein as
C.sub.max) for achieving the maximum concentration of the
therapeutic agent in the bloodstream or other location in the body
is shorter than a corresponding time period for achieving such a
maximum concentration when the therapeutic agent is non-vascularly
injected into the body such as by intramuscular or subcutaneous
injection. In various embodiments, the time period for achieving
C.sub.max by insertion of the therapeutic preparation into the
intestinal wall using one or more embodiments of the invention
(such as an embodiment of the swallowable device) can be 80%, 50%,
30%, 20 or even 10% of the time period for achieving a C.sub.max
through the use of a non-vascular injection of the therapeutic
agent. In other embodiments, the C.sub.max achieved by insertion of
the therapeutic preparation into the intestinal wall using one or
more embodiments of the invention, such as an embodiment of the
swallowable device, can be greater than a C.sub.max achieved by
taking a convention oral form of the therapeutic agent (e.g., a
pill) where the therapeutic agent is not inserted into the
intestinal wall. In various embodiments, the C.sub.max achieved by
insertion of the therapeutic preparation into the intestinal wall
using one or more embodiments of the invention (such as an
embodiment of the swallowable device) can be 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,
60, 70, 80 or even a 100 times greater than when the therapeutic
agent is delivered in a pill or other oral form. In other related
embodiments, the composition can be configured to produce a
long-term release of therapeutic agent with a selectable t1/2 that
is the time period required for the concentration of the
therapeutic agent in the bloodstream or other location in the body
to reach half its original C.sub.max value after having reached
C.sub.max. For example, the selectable t1/2 may be 6, or 9, or 12,
or 15 or 18, or 24 hours.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention provides a swallowable
device for delivering a drug or other therapeutic agent preparation
into the wall of the small or large intestine or other organ of the
gastro-intestinal tract. The devise comprises a capsule sized to be
swallowed and pass through the gastro-intestinal tract, a
deployable aligner positioned within the capsule for aligning a
longitudinal axis of the capsule with the a longitudinal axis of
the small intestine, a delivery mechanism for delivering the
therapeutic agent into the intestinal wall and a deployment member
for deploying at least one of the aligner or the delivery
mechanism. The capsule wall is degradable by contact with liquids
in the GI tract but also may include an outer coating or layer
which only degrades in the higher pH's found in the small
intestine, and serves to protect the underlying capsule wall from
degradation within the stomach before the capsule reaches the small
intestine at which point the drug delivery is initiated by
degradation of the coating. In use, such materials allow for the
targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent in a selected portion of
the GI tract such as the small intestine. Suitable outer coatings
can include various enteric coatings such as various co-polymers of
methacrylic acid and ethyl acetate.
[0010] Another embodiment of the capsule includes at least one
guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned in
the at least one guide tube, a delivery member and an actuating
mechanism. The tissue penetrating member will typically comprise a
hollow needle or other like structure and will have a lumen and a
tissue penetrating end for penetrating a selectable depth into the
intestinal wall. In various embodiments, the device can include a
second and a third tissue penetrating member with additional
numbers contemplated. Each tissue penetrating member can include
the same or a different drug. In preferred embodiments having
multiple tissue penetrating members, the tissue penetrating members
can be symmetrically distributed around the perimeter of the
capsule so as to anchor the capsule onto the intestinal wall during
delivery of drug. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the
tissue penetrating member (e.g., the tissue penetrating end) can be
fabricated from the drug preparation itself. In these and related
embodiments, the drug preparation can have a needle or dart-like
structure (with or without barbs) configured to penetrate and be
retained in the intestinal wall.
[0011] The tissue penetrating member can be fabricated from various
biodegradable materials (e.g., PLGA, maltose or other sugars) so as
to degrade within the small intestine and thus provide a fail-safe
mechanism for detaching the tissue penetrating member from the
intestinal wall should this component become retained in the
intestinal wall. Additionally, in these and related embodiments,
selectable portions of the capsule can be fabricated from such
biodegradable materials so as to allow the entire device to
controllably degrade into smaller pieces. Such embodiments
facilitate passage and excretion of the devices through the GI
tract. In particular embodiments, the capsule can include seams of
biodegradable material which controllably degrade to produce
capsule pieces of a selectable size and shape to facilitate passage
through the GI tract. The seams can be pre-stressed, perforated or
otherwise treated to accelerate degradation. The concept of using
biodegradable seams to produce controlled degradation of a
swallowable device in the GI tract can also be applied to other
swallowable devices such as swallowable cameras to facilitate
passage through the GI tract and reduce the likelihood of a device
becoming stuck in the GI tract.
[0012] The delivery member is configured to advance the drug from
the capsule through the tissue penetrating member lumen and into
the intestinal wall. Typically, at least a portion of the delivery
member is advanceable within the tissue penetrating member lumen.
The delivery member can have a piston or like structure sized to
fit within the delivery member lumen. The distal end of the
delivery member (the end which is advanced into tissue) can have a
plunger element which advances the drug within tissue penetrating
member lumen and also forms a seal with the lumen. The plunger
element can be integral or attached to the delivery member.
Preferably, the delivery member is configured to travel a fixed
distance within the needle lumen so as to deliver a fixed or
metered dose of drug into the intestinal wall. This can be achieved
by one or more of the selection of the diameter of the delivery
member (e.g., the diameter can be distally tapered), the diameter
of the tissue penetrating member (which can be narrowed at its
distal end), use of a stop, and/or the actuating mechanism. For
embodiments of the device having a tissue penetrating member
fabricated from drug (e.g., a drug dart), the delivery member is
adapted to advance the dart out of the capsule and into tissue.
[0013] The delivery member and tissue penetrating member can be
configured for the delivery of liquid, semi-liquid or solid forms
of drug or all three. Solid forms of drug can include both powder
and pellet. Semi liquid can include a slurry or paste. The drug can
be contained within a cavity of the capsule, or in the case of the
liquid or semi-liquid, within an enclosed reservoir. In some
embodiments, the capsule can include a first second, or a third
drug (or more). Such drugs can be contained within the tissue
penetrating member lumen (in the case of solids or powder) or in
separate reservoirs within the capsule body.
[0014] The actuating mechanism can be coupled to at least one of
the tissue penetrating member or the delivery member. The actuating
mechanism is configured to advance the tissue penetrating member a
selectable distance into the intestinal wall as well as advance the
delivery member to deliver the drug and then withdraw the tissue
penetrating member from the intestinal wall. In various
embodiments, the actuating mechanism can comprise a preloaded
spring mechanism which is configured to be released by the release
element. Suitable springs can include both coil (including conical
shaped springs) and leaf springs with other spring structures also
contemplated. In particular embodiments, the spring can be cone
shaped to reduce the length of the spring in the compressed state
even to the point where the compressed length of the spring is
about the thickness of several coils (e.g., two or three) or only
one coil.
[0015] In particular embodiments the actuating mechanism comprises
a spring, a first motion converter, and a second motion converter
and a track member. The release element is coupled to the spring to
retain the spring in a compressed state such that degradation of
the release element releases the spring. The first motion converter
is configured to convert motion of the spring to advance and
withdraw the tissue penetrating element in and out of tissue. The
second motion converter is configured to convert motion of the
spring to advance the delivery member into the tissue penetrating
member lumen. The motion converters are pushed by the spring and
ride along a rod or other track member which serves to guide the
path of the converters. They engage the tissue penetrating member
and/or delivery member (directly or indirectly) to produce the
desired motion. They are desirably configured to convert motion of
the spring along its longitudinal axis into orthogonal motion of
the tissue penetrating member and/or delivery member though
conversion in other directions is also contemplated. The motion
converters can have a wedge, trapezoidal or curved shape with other
shapes also contemplated. In particular embodiments, the first
motion converter can have a trapezoidal shape and include a slot
which engages a pin on the tissue penetrating member that rides in
the slot. The slot can have a trapezoidal shape that mirrors or
otherwise corresponds to the overall shape of the converter and
serves to push the tissue penetrating member during the upslope
portion of the trapezoid and then pull it back during the down
slope portion. In one variation, one or both of the motion
converters can comprise a cam or cam like device which is turned by
the spring and engages the tissue penetrating and/or delivery
member.
[0016] In other variations, the actuating mechanism can also
comprise an electro-mechanical device/mechanism such as a solenoid
or a piezoelectric device. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric
device can comprise a shaped piezoelectric element which has a
non-deployed and deployed state. This element can be configured to
go into the deployed state upon the application of a voltage and
then return to the non-deployed state upon the removal of the
voltage. This and related embodiments allow for a reciprocating
motion of the actuating mechanism so as to both advance the tissue
penetrating member and then withdraw it.
[0017] The release element is coupled to at least one of the
actuating mechanism or a spring coupled to the actuating mechanism.
In particular embodiments, the release element is coupled to a
spring positioned within the capsule so as to retain the spring in
a compressed state. Degradation of the release element releases the
spring to actuate the actuation mechanism. In many embodiments, the
release element comprises a material configured to degrade upon
exposure to chemical conditions in the small or large intestine
such as pH. Typically, the release element is configured to degrade
upon exposure to a selected pH in the small intestine, e.g., 7.0,
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.0 or greater. However, it can also be
configured to degrade in response to other conditions in the small
intestine. In particular embodiments, the release element can be
configured to degrade in response to particular chemical conditions
in the fluids in the small intestine such as those which occur
after ingestion of a meal (e.g., a meal high in fats or
proteins).
[0018] Biodegradation of the release element from one or more
conditions in the small intestine (or other location in the GI
tract) can be achieved by selection of the materials for the
release element, the amount of cross linking of those materials as
well as the thickness and other dimensions of the release elements.
Lesser amounts of cross linking and or thinner dimensions can
increase the rate of degradation and vice versa. Suitable materials
for the release element can comprise biodegradable materials such
as various enteric materials which are configured to degrade upon
exposure to the higher pH or other condition in the small
intestine. The enteric materials can be copolymerized or otherwise
mixed with one or more polymers to obtain a number of particular
material properties in addition to biodegradation. Such properties
can include without limitation stiffness, strength, flexibility and
hardness.
[0019] In particular embodiments, the release element can comprise
a film or plug that fits over or otherwise blocks the guide tube
and retains the tissue penetrating member inside the guide tube. In
these and related embodiments, the tissue penetrating member is
coupled to a spring loaded actuating mechanism such that when the
release element is degraded sufficiently, it releases the tissue
penetrating member which then springs out of the guide tube to
penetrate into the intestinal wall. In other embodiments, the
release element can be shaped to function as a latch which holds
the tissue penetrating element in place. In these and related
embodiments, the release element can be located on the exterior or
the interior of the capsule. In the interior embodiments, the
capsule and guide tubes are configured to allow for the ingress of
intestinal fluids into the capsule interior to allow for the
degradation of the release element.
[0020] In some embodiments, the actuating mechanism can be actuated
by means of a sensor, such as a pH or other chemical sensor which
detects the presence of the capsule in the small intestine and
sends a signal to the actuating mechanism (or to an electronic
controller coupled to the actuating mechanism to actuate the
mechanism). Embodiments of a pH sensor can comprise an
electrode-based sensor or it can be a mechanically-based sensor
such as a polymer which shrinks or expands upon exposure to the pH
or other chemical conditions in the small intestine. In related
embodiments, an expandable/contractible sensor can also comprise
the actuating mechanism itself by using the mechanical motion from
the expansion or contraction of the sensor.
[0021] According to another embodiment for detecting that the
device is in the small intestine (or other location in the GI
tract), the sensor can comprise a strain gauge or other
pressure/force sensor for detecting the number of peristaltic
contractions that the capsule is being subject to within a
particular location in the intestinal tract. In these embodiments,
the capsule is desirably sized to be gripped by the small intestine
during a peristaltic contraction). Different locations within the
GI tract have different number of peristaltic contractions. The
small intestine has between 12 to 9 contractions per minute with
the frequency decreasing down the length of the intestine. Thus,
according to one or more embodiments detection of the number of
peristaltic contractions can be used to not only determine if the
capsule is in the small intestine but the relative location within
the intestine as well.
[0022] As an alternative or supplement to internally activated drug
delivery, in some embodiments, the user may externally activate the
actuating mechanism to deliver drug by means of RF, magnetic or
other wireless signaling means known in the art. In these and
related embodiments, the user can use a handheld device (e.g., a
hand held RF device) which not only includes signaling means, but
also means for informing the user when the device is in the small
intestine or other location in the GI tract. The later embodiment
can be implemented by including an RF transmitter on the
swallowable device to signal to the user when the device is in the
small intestine or other location (e.g., by signaling an input from
the sensor). The same handheld device can also be configured to
alter the user when the actuating mechanism has been activated and
the selected drug(s) delivered. In this way, the user is provided
confirmation that the drug has been delivered. This allows the user
to take other appropriate drugs/therapeutic agents as well as make
other related decisions (e.g., for diabetics to eat a meal or not
and what foods should be eaten). The handheld device can also be
configured to send a signal to the swallowable device to over-ride
the actuating mechanism and so prevent, delay or accelerate the
delivery of drug. In use, such embodiments allow the user to
intervene to prevent, delay or accelerate the delivery of drug
based upon other symptoms and/or patient actions (e.g., eating a
meal, deciding to go to sleep, exercise etc).
[0023] The user may also externally activate the actuating
mechanism at a selected time period after swallowing the capsule.
The time period can be correlated to a typical transit time or
range of transit times for food moving through the user's GI tract
to a particular location in the tract such as the small
intestine.
[0024] Another aspect of the inventions provides therapeutic agent
preparations for delivery into the wall of the small intestine (or
other wall in the intestinal tract) using embodiments of the
swallowable device described herein. The preparation comprises a
therapeutically effective dose of at least one therapeutic agent.
It may comprise a solid, liquid or combination of both and can
include one or more pharmaceutical excipients. The preparation has
a shape and material consistency to be contained in embodiments of
the swallowable capsule, delivered from the capsule into the
intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the dose of
therapeutic agent. The preparation may also have a selectable
surface area to volume ratio so as enhance or otherwise control the
rate of degradation of the preparation in the wall of the small
intestine or other body lumen. In various embodiments, the
preparation can be configured to be coupled to an actuator such as
a release element or actuation mechanism which has a first
configuration in which the preparation is contained in the capsule
and a second configuration in which the preparation is advanced out
of the capsule and into the wall of the small intestine. The dose
of the drug or other therapeutic agent in the preparation can be
titrated downward from that which would be required for
conventional oral delivery methods so that potential side effects
from the drug can be reduced.
[0025] Typically, though not necessarily, the preparation will be
shaped and otherwise configured to be contained in the lumen of a
tissue penetrating member, such as a hollow needle which is
configured to be advanced out of the capsule and into the wall of
the small intestine. The preparation itself may comprise a tissue
penetrating member configured to be advanced into the wall of the
small intestine or other lumen in the intestinal tract.
[0026] Another aspect of the invention provides methods for the
delivery of drugs and the therapeutic agents into the walls of the
GI tract using embodiments of the swallowable drug delivery
devices. Such methods can be used for the delivery of
therapeutically effective amounts of a variety of drugs and other
therapeutic agents. These include a number of large molecule
peptides and proteins which would otherwise require injection due
to chemical breakdown in the stomach e.g., growth hormone,
parathyroid hormone, insulin, interferons and other like compounds.
Suitable drugs and other therapeutic agents which can be delivered
by embodiments of invention include various chemotherapeutic agents
(e.g., interferon), antibiotics, antivirals, insulin and related
compounds, glucagon like peptides (e.g., GLP-1, exenatide),
parathyroid hormones, growth hormones (e.g., IFG and other growth
factors), anti-seizure agents, immune suppression agents and
anti-parasitic agents such as various anti-malarial agents. The
dosage of the particular drug can be titrated for the patient's
weight, age, condition or other parameter.
[0027] In various method embodiments, embodiments of the drug
swallowable drug delivery device can be used to deliver a plurality
of drugs for the treatment of multiple conditions or for the
treatment of a particular condition (e.g., a mixture of protease
inhibitors for treatment HIV AIDS). In use, such embodiments allow
a patient to forgo the necessity of having to take multiple
medications for a particular condition or conditions. Also, they
provide a means for facilitating that a regimen of two or more
drugs is delivered and absorbed into the small intestine and thus,
the blood stream at about the same time. Due to differences in
chemical makeup, molecular weight, etc, drugs can be absorbed
through the intestinal wall at different rates, resulting in
different pharmacokinetic distribution curves. Embodiments of the
invention address this issue by injecting the desired drug mixtures
at about the same time. This in turn improves pharmacokinetics and
thus, the efficacy of the selected mixture of drugs.
[0028] Further details of these and other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described more fully below, with reference to
the attached drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1a is a lateral viewing showing an embodiment of a
swallowable drug delivery device.
[0030] FIG. 1b is a lateral viewing showing an embodiment of a
system including a swallowable drug delivery device.
[0031] FIG. 1c is a lateral viewing showing an embodiment of a kit
including a swallowable drug delivery device and a set of
instructions for use.
[0032] FIG. 1d is a lateral viewing showing an embodiment of a
swallowable drug delivery device including a drug reservoir.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a lateral view illustrating an embodiment of the
swallowable drug delivery device having a spring loaded actuation
mechanism for advancing tissue penetrating members into tissue.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a lateral view illustrating an embodiment of the
swallowable drug delivery device having a spring loaded actuation
mechanism having a first motion converter.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a lateral view illustrating an embodiment of the
swallowable drug delivery device having a spring loaded actuation
mechanism having first and a second motion converter.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating engagement of the
first and second motion converters with the tissue penetrating
member and delivery members.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment
of the swallowable drug delivery device having a single tissue
penetrating member and an actuating mechanism for advancing the
tissue penetrating member.
[0038] FIG. 7a is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment
of the swallowable drug delivery device having multiple tissue
penetrating members and an actuating mechanism for advancing the
tissue penetrating members.
[0039] FIG. 7b is a cross sectional view illustrating deployment of
the tissue penetrating members of the embodiment of FIG. 7a to
deliver medication to a delivery site and anchor the device in the
intestinal wall during delivery.
[0040] FIGS. 8a-8c are side view illustrating positioning of the
drug delivery device in the small intestine and deployment of the
tissue penetrating members to deliver drug; FIG. 8a shows the
device in the small intestine prior to deployment of the tissue
penetrating members with the release element in tact; FIG. 8b shows
the device in the small intestine with the release element degraded
and the tissue penetrating elements deployed; and FIG. 8c shows the
device in the small intestine with the tissue penetrating elements
retracted and the drug delivered.
[0041] FIG. 9a shows an embodiment of a swallowable drug delivery
device including a capsule having bio-degradable seams positioned
to produce controlled degradation of the capsule in the GI
tract.
[0042] FIG. 9b shows the embodiment of FIG. 9a after having been
degraded in the GI tract into smaller pieces.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a capsule having
biodegradable seams including pores and/or perforations to
accelerate biodegradation of the capsule.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a lateral viewing illustrating use of an
embodiment of a swallowable drug delivery device including transit
of device in the GI tract and operation of the device to deliver
drug.
[0045] FIGS. 12a and 12b are lateral view illustrating an
embodiment of a capsule for the swallowable drug delivery device
including a cap and a body coated with pH sensitive biodegradable
coatings, FIG. 12a shows the capsule in an unassembled state and
FIG. 12b in an assembled state
[0046] FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate embodiments of unfolded multi
balloon assemblies containing a deployment balloon, an aligner
balloon, a delivery balloon and assorted connecting tubes; FIG. 13a
shows an embodiment of the assembly for a single dome configuration
of the deployment balloon; and FIG. 13b shows an embodiment of the
assembly for dual dome configuration of the deployment balloon;
and.
[0047] FIG. 13c is a perspective views illustrating embodiments of
a nested balloon configuration which can be used for one or more
embodiments of the balloons described herein including the aligner
balloon.
[0048] FIGS. 14a-14c are lateral views illustrating embodiments of
a multi compartment deployment balloon; FIG. 14a shows the balloon
in a non-inflated state with the separation valve closed; FIG. 14b
shows the balloon with valve open and mixing of the chemical
reactants; and FIG. 14c shows the balloon in an inflated state.
[0049] FIGS. 15a-15g are lateral views illustrating a method for
folding of the multiple balloon assembly, the folding configuration
in each figure applies to both single and dual dome configurations
of the deployment balloon, with the exception that FIG. 15c,
pertains to a folding step unique to dual dome configurations; and
FIG. 15d, pertains to the final folding step unique to dual dome
configurations; FIG. 15e, pertains to a folding step unique to
single dome configurations; and FIGS. 15f and 15g are orthogonal
views pertaining to the final folding step unique to single dome
configurations.
[0050] FIGS. 16a and 16b are orthogonal views illustrating
embodiments of the final folded multi balloon assembly with the
attached delivery assembly.
[0051] FIGS. 17a and 17b are orthogonal transparent views
illustrating embodiments of the final folded multi balloon assembly
inserted into the capsule.
[0052] FIG. 18a is a side view of an embodiment of the tissue
penetrating member.
[0053] FIG. 18b is a bottom view of an embodiment of the tissue
penetrating member illustrating placement of the tissue retaining
features.
[0054] FIG. 18c is a side view of an embodiment of the tissue
penetrating member having a trocar tip and inverted tapered
shaft.
[0055] FIG. 18d is a side view of an embodiment of the tissue
penetrating member having a separate drug containing section.
[0056] FIGS. 18e and 18f are side views showing assembly of an
embodiment of a tissue penetrating member having a shaped drug
containing section. FIG. 18e shows the tissue penetrating member
and shaped drug section prior to assembly; and FIG. 18f after
assembly.
[0057] FIG. 19 provides assorted views of the components and steps
used to assemble an embodiment of the delivery assembly.
[0058] FIGS. 20a-20i provides assorted views illustrating a method
of operation of swallowable device to deliver medication to the
intestinal wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] Embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems and
methods for delivering medications in to various locations in the
body. As used herein, the term "medication" refers to a medicinal
preparation in any form which can include drugs or other
therapeutic agents as well as one or more pharmaceutical
excipients. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for
delivering medication within the GI tract. Particular embodiments
provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering
medications to the wall of the small intestine or other GI organ.
As used herein, "GI tract" refers to the esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine and anus, while "Intestinal tract"
refers to the small and large intestine. Various embodiments of the
invention can be configured and arranged for delivery of medication
into the intestinal tract as well as the entire GI tract.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, an embodiment of an device 10
for the delivery of medication 100 to a delivery site DS in the
intestinal tract such as the wall of the small intestine, comprises
a capsule 20 including at least one guide tube 30, one or more
tissue penetrating members 40 positioned or otherwise advanceable
in the at least one guide tube, a delivery member 50, an actuating
mechanism 60 and release element 70. Medication 100, also described
herein as preparation 100, typically comprises at least one drug or
therapeutic agent 101 and may include one or more pharmaceutical
excipients known in the art. Collectively, one or more of delivery
member 50 and mechanism 60 may comprise a means for delivery of
medication 100 into a wall of the intestinal tract. Other delivery
means contemplated herein include one or more expandable balloons
(e.g., delivery balloon 172) or other expandable device/member
described herein.
[0061] Device 10 can be configured for the delivery of liquid,
semi-liquid or solid forms of medication 100 or all three. Solid
forms of medication/preparation 100 can include both powder or
pellet. Semi liquid forms can include a slurry or paste. Whatever
the form, preparation 100 desirably has a shape and material
consistency allowing the medication to be advanced out of the
device, into the intestinal wall (or other luminal wall in the GI
tract) and then degrade in the intestinal wall to release the drug
or other therapeutic agent 101. The material consistency can
include one or more of the hardness, porosity and solubility of the
preparation (in body fluids). The material consistency can be
achieved by one or more of the following: i) the compaction force
used to make the preparation; ii) the use of one or more
pharmaceutical disintegrants known in the art; iii) use of other
pharmaceutical excipients; iv) the particle size and distribution
of the preparation (e.g., micronized particles); and v) use of
micronizing and other particle formation methods known in the art.
Suitable shapes for preparation 100 can include cylindrical,
cubical, rectangular, conical, spherical, hemispherical and
combinations thereof. Also, the shape can be selected so as to
define a particular surface area and volume of preparation 100 and
thus, the ratio between the two. The ratio of surface area to
volume can in turn, be used to achieve a selected rate of
degradation within the intestinal or other lumen wall within the GI
tract. Larger ratios (e.g., larger amounts of surface area per unit
volume) can be used to achieve faster rates of degradation and vice
versa. In particular embodiments, the surface area to volume ratio
can be in the range of about 1:1 to 100:1, with specific
embodiments of 2:1, 5:1, 20:1, 25:1, 50:1 and 75:1.
Preparation/medication 100 will typically be pre-packed within a
lumen 44 of tissue penetrating members 40, but can also be
contained at another location within an interior 24 of capsule 20,
or in the case of a liquid or semi-liquid, within an enclosed
reservoir 27. The medication can be pre-shaped to fit into the
lumen or packed for example, in a powder form. Typically, the
device 10 will be configured to deliver a single drug 101 as part
of medication 100. However in some embodiments, the device 10 can
be configured for delivery of multiple drugs 101 including a first
second, or a third drug which can be compounded into a single or
multiple medications 100. For embodiments having multiple
medications/drugs, the medications can be contained in separate
tissue penetrating members 40 or within separate compartments or
reservoirs 27 within capsule 20. In another embodiment, a first
dose 102 of medication 100 containing a first drug 101 can be
packed into the penetrating member(s) 40 and a second dose 103 of
medication 100 (containing the same or a different drug 101) can be
coated onto the surface 25 of capsule as is shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 1b. The drugs 101 in the two doses of medication 102 and
103 can be the same or different. In this way, a bimodal
pharmacokinetic release of the same or different drugs can be
achieved. The second dose 103 of medication 100 can have an enteric
coating 104 to ensure that it is released in the small intestine
and achieve a time release of the medication 100 as well. Enteric
coating 104 can include one or more enteric coatings described
herein or known in the art.
[0062] A system 11 for delivery of medication 100 into the wall of
the small intestine or other location within the GI tract, may
comprise device 10, containing one or more medications 100 for the
treatment of a selected condition or conditions. In some
embodiments, the system may include a hand held device 13,
described herein for communicating with device 10 as is shown in
the embodiment of FIG. 1b. System 11 may also be configured as a
kit 14 including system 11 and a set of instructions for use 15
which are packaged in packaging 12 as is shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 1c. The instructions can indicate to the patient when to take
the device 10 relative to one or more events such as the ingestion
of a meal or a physiological measurement such as blood glucose,
cholesterol, etc. In such embodiments, kit 14 can include multiple
devices 10 containing a regimen of medications 100 for a selected
period of administration, e.g., a day, week, or multiple weeks
depending upon the condition to be treated.
[0063] Capsule 20 is sized to be swallowed and pass through the
intestinal tract. The size can also be adjusted depending upon the
amount of drug to be delivered as well as the patient's weight and
adult vs. pediatric applications. Capsule 20 includes an interior
volume 24 and an outer surface 25 having one or more apertures 26
sized for guide tubes 30. In addition to the other components of
device 10, (e.g., the actuation mechanism etc.) the interior volume
can include one or more compartments or reservoirs 27. One or more
portions of capsule 20 can be fabricated from various biocompatible
polymers known in the art, including various biodegradable polymers
which in a preferred embodiment can comprise PLGA
(polylactic-co-glycolic acid). Other suitable biodegradable
materials include various enteric materials described herein as
well as lactide, glycolide, lactic acid, glycolic acid,
para-dioxanone, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone,
blends and copolymers thereof. As is described in further detail
herein, in various embodiments, capsule 20 can include seams 22 of
bio-degradable material so as to controllably degrade into smaller
pieces 23 which are more easily passed through the intestinal
tract. Additionally, in various embodiments, the capsule can
include various radio-opaque or echogenic materials for location of
the device using fluoroscopy, ultrasound or other medical imaging
modality. In specific embodiments, all or a portion of the capsule
can include radio-opaque/echogenic markers 20m as is shown in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b. In use, such materials not only
allow for the location of device 10 in the GI tract, but also allow
for the determination of transit times of the device through the GI
tract.
[0064] In preferred embodiments, tissue penetrating members 40 are
positioned within guide tubes 30 which serve to guide and support
the advancement of members 40 into tissue such as the wall of the
small intestine or other portion of the GI tract. The tissue
penetrating members 40 will typically comprise a hollow needle or
other like structure and will have a lumen 44 and a tissue
penetrating end 45 for penetrating a selectable depth into the
intestinal wall IW. Member 40 may also include a pin 41 for
engagement with a motion converter 90 described herein. The depth
of penetration can be controlled by the length of member 40, the
configuration of motion converter 90 described herein as well as
the placement of a stop or flange 40s on member 40 which can, in an
embodiment, correspond to pin 41 described herein. Medication 100
will typically be delivered into tissue through lumen 44. In many
embodiments, lumen 44 is pre-packed with the desired medication 100
which is advanced out of the lumen using delivery member 50 or
other advancement means (e.g. by means of force applied to a
collapsible embodiment of member 40). As an alternative, medication
100 can be advanced into lumen 44 from another location/compartment
in capsule 20. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the tissue
penetrating member 40 can be fabricated from medication 100 itself.
In these and related embodiments, the medication can have a needle
or dart-like structure (with or without barbs) configured to
penetrate and be retained in the intestinal wall, such as the wall
of the small intestine. The dart can be sized and shaped depending
upon the medication, dose and desired depth of penetration into the
intestinal wall. Medication 100 can be formed into darts, pellets
or other shapes using various compression molding methods known in
the pharmaceutical arts.
[0065] In various embodiments, device 10 can include a second 42
and a third 43 tissue penetrating member 40 as is shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 7a and 7b., with additional numbers
contemplated. Each tissue penetrating member 40 can be used to
deliver the same or a different medication 100. In preferred
embodiments, the tissue penetrating members 40 can be substantially
symmetrically distributed around the perimeter 21 of capsule 20 so
as to anchor the capsule onto the intestinal wall IW during
delivery of medications 100. Anchoring capsule 20 in such a way
reduces the likelihood that the capsule will be displaced or moved
by peristaltic contractions occurring during delivery of the
medication. In specific embodiments, the amount of anchoring force
can be adjusted to the typical forces applied during peristaltic
contraction of the small intestine. Anchoring can be further
facilitated by configured some or all of tissue penetrating members
40 to have a curved or arcuate shape.
[0066] Delivery member 50 is configured to advance medication 100
through the tissue penetrating member lumen 44 and into the
intestinal wall IW. Accordingly, at least a portion of the delivery
member 50 is advanceable within the tissue penetrating member lumen
44 and thus member 50 has a size and shape (e.g., a piston like
shape) configured to fit within the delivery member lumen 44.
[0067] In some embodiments, the distal end 50d of the delivery
member (the end which is advanced into tissue) can have a plunger
element 51 which advances the medication within the tissue
penetrating member lumen 44 and also forms a seal with the lumen.
Plunger element 51 can be integral or attached to delivery member
50. Preferably, delivery member 50 is configured to travel a fixed
distance within the needle lumen 44 so as to deliver a fixed or
metered dose of drug into the intestinal wall IW. This can be
achieved by one or more of the selection of the diameter of the
delivery member (e.g., the diameter can be distally tapered), the
diameter of the tissue penetrating member (which can be narrowed at
its distal end), use of a stop, and/or the actuating mechanism.
However in some embodiments, the stroke or travel distance of
member 50 can be adjusted in situ responsive to various factors
such as one or more sensed conditions in the GI tract. In situ
adjustment can be achieved through use of logic resource 29
(including controller 29c) coupled to an electro-mechanical
embodiment of actuating mechanism 60. This allows for a variable
dose of medication and/or variation of the distance the medication
is injected into the intestinal wall.
[0068] Actuating mechanism 60 can be coupled to at least one of the
tissue penetrating member 40 or delivery member 50. The actuating
mechanism is configured to advance tissue penetrating member 40 a
selectable distance into the intestinal wall IW as well as advance
the delivery member to deliver medication 100 and then withdraw the
tissue penetrating member from the intestinal wall. In various
embodiments, actuating mechanism 60 can comprise a spring loaded
mechanism which is configured to be released by release element 70.
Suitable springs 80 can include both coil (including conical shaped
springs) and leaf springs with other spring structures also
contemplated. In particular embodiments, spring 80 can be
substantially cone-shaped to reduce the length of the spring in the
compressed state even to the point where the compressed length of
the spring is about the thickness of several coils (e.g., two or
three) or only one coil.
[0069] In particular embodiments actuating mechanism 60 can
comprise a spring 80, a first motion converter 90, and a second
motion converter 94 and a track member 98 as is shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4 and 8a-8c. The release element 70 is
coupled to spring 80 to retain the spring in a compressed state
such that degradation of the release element releases the spring.
Spring 80 may be coupled to release element 70 by a latch or other
connecting element 81. First motion converter 90 is configured to
convert motion of spring 80 to advance and withdraw the tissue
penetrating member 40 in and out of the intestinal wall or other
tissue. The second motion converter 94 is configured to convert
motion of the spring 80 to advance the delivery member 50 into the
tissue penetrating member lumen 44. Motion converters 90 and 94 are
pushed by the spring and ride along a rod or other track member 98
which fits into a track member lumen 99 of converter 90. The track
member 98 serves to guide the path of the converters 90. Converters
90 and 94 engage the tissue penetrating member 40 and/or delivery
member 50 (directly or indirectly) to produce the desired motion.
They have a shape and other characteristics configured to convert
motion of the spring 80 along its longitudinal axis into orthogonal
motion of the tissue penetrating member 40 and/or delivery member
50 though conversion in other directions is also contemplated. The
motion converters can have a wedge, trapezoidal or curved shape
with other shapes also contemplated. In particular embodiments, the
first motion converter 90 can have a trapezoidal shape 90t and
include a slot 93 which engages a pin 41 on the tissue penetrating
member that rides in the slot as is shown in the embodiments of
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Slot 93 can also have a trapezoidal shape 93t
that mirrors or otherwise corresponds to the overall shape of
converter 90. Slot 93 serves to push the tissue penetrating member
40 during the upslope portion 91 of the trapezoid and then pull it
back during the down slope portion 92. In one variation, one or
both of the motion converters 90 and 94 can comprise a cam or cam
like device (not shown). The cam can be turned by spring 80 so as
to engage the tissue penetrating and/or delivery members 40 and 50.
One or more components of mechanism 60 (as well as other components
of device 10) including motion converters 90 and 94 can be
fabricated using various MEMS-based methods known in the art so as
to allow for selected amounts of miniaturization to fit within
capsule 10. Also as is described herein, they can be formed from
various biodegradable materials known in the art.
[0070] In other variations, the actuating mechanism 60 can also
comprise an electro-mechanical device/mechanism such as a solenoid
or a piezoelectric device. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric
device used in mechanism 60 can comprise a shaped piezoelectric
element which has a non-deployed and deployed state. This element
can be configured to go into the deployed state upon the
application of a voltage and then return to the non-deployed state
upon the removal of the voltage or other change in the voltage.
This and related embodiments allow for a reciprocating motion of
the actuating mechanism 60 so as to both advance the tissue
penetrating member and then withdraw it. The voltage for the
piezoelectric element can be obtained generated using a battery or
a piezoelectric based energy converter which generates voltage by
mechanical deformation such as that which occurs from compression
of the capsule 20 by a peristaltic contraction of the small
intestine around the capsule. Further description of piezoelectric
based energy converters is found in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/556,524 which is fully incorporated by reference herein for
all purposes. In one embodiment, deployment of tissue penetrating
members 40 can in fact be triggered from a peristaltic contraction
of the small intestine which provides the mechanical energy for
generating voltage for the piezoelectric element.
[0071] Release element 70 will typically be coupled to the
actuating mechanism 60 and/or a spring coupled to the actuating
mechanism; however, other configurations are also contemplated. In
preferred embodiments, release element 70 is coupled to a spring 80
positioned within capsule 20 so as to retain the spring in a
compressed state 85 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2.
Degradation of the release element 70 releases spring 80 to actuate
actuation mechanism 60. Accordingly, release element 70 can thus
function as an actuator 70a (actuator 70 may also include spring 80
and other elements of mechanism 60). As is explained further below,
release element 70/actuator 70a has a first configuration where the
therapeutic agent preparation 100 is contained within capsule 20
and a second configuration where the therapeutic agent preparation
is advanced from the capsule into the wall of the small intestine
or other luminal wall in the intestinal tract.
[0072] In many embodiments, release element 70 comprises a material
configured to degrade upon exposure to chemical conditions in the
small or large intestine such as pH. Typically, release element 70
is configured to degrade upon exposure to a selected pH in the
small intestine, e.g., 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 8.0 or
greater. The release element can also be configured to degrade
within a particular range of pH such as, e.g., 7.0 to 7.5. In
particular embodiments, the pH at which release element 70 degrades
(defined herein as the degradation pH) can be selected for the
particular drug to be delivered so as to release the drug at a
location in small intestine which corresponds to the selected pH.
Further, for embodiments of device 10 having multiple medications
100, the device can include a first release element 70 (coupled to
an actuating mechanism for delivering a first drug) configured to
degrade at first pH and a second release element 70 (coupled to an
actuating mechanism for delivering a second drug) configured to
degrade at a second pH (with additional numbers of release elements
contemplated for varying number of drugs).
[0073] Release element 70 can also be configured to degrade in
response to other conditions in the small intestine (or other GI
location). In particular embodiments, the release element 70 can be
configured to degrade in response to particular chemical conditions
in the fluids in the small intestine such as those which occur
after ingestion of a meal (e.g., a meal containing fats, starches
or proteins). In this way, the release of medication 100 can be
substantially synchronized or otherwise timed with the digestion of
a meal.
[0074] Various approaches are contemplated for biodegradation of
release element 70. In particular embodiments, biodegradation of
release element 70 from one or more conditions in the small
intestine (or other location in the GI tract) can be achieved by
one or more of the following approaches: i) selection of the
materials for the release element, ii) the amount of cross linking
of those materials; and iii) the thickness and other dimensions of
the release element. Lesser amounts of cross linking and or thinner
dimensions can increase the rate of degradation and vice versa.
Suitable materials for the release element can comprise
biodegradable materials such as various enteric materials which are
configured to degrade upon exposure to the higher pH in the
intestines. Suitable enteric materials include, but are not limited
to, the following: cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate
trimellitate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, polyvinyl
acetate phthalate, carboxymethylethylcellulose, co-polymerized
methacrylic acid/methacrylic acid methyl esters as well as other
enteric materials known in the art. The selected enteric materials
can be copolymerized or otherwise combined with one or more other
polymers to obtain a number of other particular material properties
in addition to biodegradation. Such properties can include without
limitation stiffness, strength, flexibility and hardness.
[0075] In alternative embodiments, the release element 70 can
comprise a film or plug 70p that fits over or otherwise blocks
guide tubes 30 and retains the tissue penetrating member 40 inside
the guide tube. In these and related embodiments, tissue
penetrating member 40 is coupled to a spring loaded actuating
mechanism such that when the release element is degraded
sufficiently, it releases the tissue penetrating member which then
springs out of the guide tube to penetrate into the intestinal
wall. In still other embodiments, release element 70 can be shaped
to function as a latch which holds the tissue penetrating member 40
in place. In these and related embodiments, the release element can
be located on the exterior or the interior of capsule 20. In the
latter case, capsule 20 and/or guide tubes 30 can be configured to
allow for the ingress of intestinal fluids into the capsule
interior to allow for the degradation of the release element.
[0076] In some embodiments, actuating mechanism 60 can be actuated
by means of a sensor 67, such as a pH sensor 68 or other chemical
sensor which detects the presence of the capsule in the small
intestine. Sensor 67 can then send a signal to actuating mechanism
60 or to an electronic controller 29c coupled to actuating
mechanism 60 to actuate the mechanism. Embodiments of a pH sensor
68 can comprise an electrode-based sensor or it can be a
mechanically-based sensor such as a polymer which shrinks or
expands upon exposure to a selected pH or other chemical conditions
in the small intestine. In related embodiments, an
expandable/contractible sensor 67 can also comprise the actuating
mechanism 60 itself by using the mechanical motion from the
expansion or contraction of the sensor.
[0077] According to another embodiment for detecting that the
device in the small intestine (or other location in the GI tract),
sensor 67 can comprise pressure/force sensor such as strain gauge
for detecting the number of peristaltic contractions that capsule
20 is being subject to within a particular location in the
intestinal tract (in such embodiments capsule 20 is desirably sized
to be gripped by the small intestine during a peristaltic
contraction). Different locations within the GI tract have
different number of peristaltic contractions. The small intestine
has between 12 to 9 contractions per minute with the frequency
decreasing down the length of the intestine. Thus, according to one
or more embodiments, detection of the number of peristaltic
contractions can be used to not only determine if capsule 20 is in
the small intestine, but the relative location within the intestine
as well. In use, these and related embodiments allow for release of
medication 100 at a particular location in the small intestine.
[0078] As an alternative or supplement to internally activated drug
delivery (e.g., using a release element and/or sensor), in some
embodiments, the user may externally activate the actuating
mechanism 60 to deliver medication 100 by means of RF, magnetic or
other wireless signaling means known in the art. In these and
related embodiments, the user can use a handheld communication
device 13 (e.g., a hand held RF device such as a cell phone) as is
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1b, to send a receive signals 17
from device 10. In such embodiments, swallowable device may include
a transmitter 28 such as an RF transceiver chip or other like
communication device/circuitry. Handheld device 13 may not only
includes signaling means, but also means for informing the user
when device 10 is in the small intestine or other location in the
GI tract. The later embodiment can be implemented through the use
of logic resources 29 (e.g., a processor 29) coupled to transmitter
28 to signal to detect and singe to the user when the device is in
the small intestine or other location (e.g., by signaling an input
from the sensor). Logic resources 29 may include a controller 29c
(either in hardware or software) to control one or more aspects of
the process. The same handheld device can also be configured to
alert the user when actuating mechanism 60 has been activated and
the selected medication 100 delivered (e.g., using processor 29 and
transmitter 28). In this way, the user is provided confirmation
that medication 100 has been delivered. This allows the user to
take other appropriate drugs/therapeutic agents as well as make
other related decisions (e.g., for diabetics to eat a meal or not
and what foods should be eaten). The handheld device can also be
configured to send a signal to swallowable device 10 to over-ride
actuating mechanism 60 and so prevent delay or accelerate the
delivery of medication 100. In use, such embodiments allow the user
to intervene to prevent, delay or accelerate the delivery of
medication, based upon other symptoms and/or patient actions (e.g.,
eating a meal, deciding to go to sleep, exercise etc). The user may
also externally activate actuating mechanism 60 at a selected time
period after swallowing the capsule. The time period can be
correlated to a typical transit time or range of transit times for
food moving through the user's GI tract to a particular location in
the tract such as the small intestine.
[0079] In particular embodiments, the capsule 20 can include seams
22 of biodegradable material which controllably degrade to produce
capsule pieces 23 of a selectable size and shape to facilitate
passage through the GI tract as is shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
10a and 10b. Seams 22 can also include pores or other openings 22p
for ingress of fluids into the seam to accelerate biodegradation as
is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10. Other means for accelerating
biodegradation of seams 22 can include pre-stressing the seam
and/or including perforations 22f in the seam as is also shown in
the embodiment of FIG. 10. In still other embodiments, seam 22 can
be constructed of materials and/or have a structure which is
readily degraded by absorption of ultrasound energy, e.g. high
frequency ultrasound (HIFU), allowing the capsule to be degraded
into smaller pieces using externally or endoscopically (or other
minimally invasive method) administered ultrasound.
[0080] Suitable materials for seams 22 can include one or more
biodegradable materials described herein such as PLGA, glycolic
acid etc. Seams 22 can be attached to capsule body 20 using various
joining methods known in the polymer arts such as molding, hot melt
junctions, etc. Additionally for embodiments of capsule 20 which
are also fabricated from biodegradable materials, faster
biodegradation of seam 22 can be achieved by one or more of the
following: i) fabricating the seam from a faster biodegrading
material, ii) pre-stressing the seam, or iii) perforating the seam.
The concept of using biodegradable seams 22 to produce controlled
degradation of a swallowable device in the GI tract can also be
applied to other swallowable devices such as swallowable cameras
(or other swallowable imaging device) to facilitate passage through
the GI tract and reduce the likelihood of such a device becoming
stuck in the GI tract. Accordingly, embodiments of biodegradable
seam 22 can be adapted for swallowable imaging and other
swallowable devices.
[0081] Another aspect of the invention provides methods for the
delivery of drugs and other therapeutic agents (in the form of
medication 100) into the walls of the GI tract using one or more
embodiments of swallowable drug delivery device 10. An exemplary
embodiment of such a method will now be described. The described
embodiment of drug delivery occurs in the small intestine SI.
However, it should be appreciated that this is exemplary and that
embodiments of the invention can be used for delivering drug in a
number of locations in the GI tract including the stomach and the
large intestine. For ease of discussion, the swallowable drug
delivery device 10 will sometimes be referred to herein as a
capsule. As described above, in various embodiments device 10 may
be packaged as a kit 11 within sealed packaging 12 that includes
device 10 and a set of instructions for use 15. If the patient is
using a handheld device 13, the patient may be instructed to enter
data into device 13 either manually or via a bar code 18 (or other
identifying indicia 18) located on the instructions 15 or packaging
12. If a bar code is used, the patient would scan the bar code
using a bar code reader 19 on device 13. After opening packaging
12, reading the instructions 15 and entering any required data, the
patient swallows an embodiment of the swallowable drug delivery
device 10. Depending upon the drug, the patient may take the device
10 in conjunction with a meal (before, during or after) or a
physiological measurement. Capsule 20 is sized to pass through the
GI tract and travels through the patient's stomach S and into the
small intestine SI through peristaltic action as is embodies in
device 10 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11. Once in the small
intestine, the release element 70 is degraded by the basic pH in
the small intestine (or other chemical or physical condition unique
to the small intestine) so as to actuate the actuating mechanism 60
and deliver medication 100 into the wall of the small intestine SI
according to one or more embodiments of the invention. For
embodiments including a hollow needle or other hollow tissue
penetrating member 40, medication delivery is effectuated by using
the actuating mechanism 60 to advance the needle 40 a selected
distance into the mucosa of the intestinal wall IS, and then the
medication is injected through the needle lumen 40 by advancement
of the delivery member 50. The delivery member 50 is withdrawn and
the needle 40 is then withdrawn back within the body of the capsule
(e.g. by recoil of the spring) detaching from the intestinal wall.
For embodiments of device 10 having multiple needles, a second or
third needle 42, 43 can also be used to deliver additional doses of
the same drug or separate drugs 101. Needle advancement can be done
substantially simultaneously or in sequence. In preferred
embodiments that use multiple needles, needle advancement can be
done substantially simultaneously so as to anchor device 10 in the
small intestine during drug delivery.
[0082] After medication delivery, device 10 then passes through the
intestinal tract including the large intestine LI and is ultimately
excreted. For embodiments of the capsule 20 having biodegradable
seams 22 or other biodegradable portions, the capsule is degraded
in the intestinal tract into smaller pieces to facilitate passage
through and excretion from the intestinal tract as is shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 9a and 9b. In particular embodiments having
biodegradable tissue penetrating needles/members 40, should the
needle get stuck in the intestinal wall, the needle biodegrades
releasing the capsule 20 from the wall.
[0083] For embodiments of device 10 including a sensor 67,
actuation of mechanism 60 can be effectuated by the senor sending a
signal to actuating mechanism 60 and/or a processor 29/controller
29c coupled to the actuating mechanism. For embodiments of device
10 including external actuation capability, the user may externally
activate actuating mechanism 60 at a selected time period after
swallowing the capsule. The time period can be correlated to a
typical transit time or range of transit times for food moving
through the user's GI tract to a particular location in the tract
such as the small intestine.
[0084] One or more embodiments of the above methods can be used for
the delivery of preparations 100 containing therapeutically
effective amounts of a variety of drugs and other therapeutic
agents 101 to treat a variety of diseases and conditions. These
include a number of large molecule peptides and proteins which
would otherwise require injection due to chemical breakdown in the
stomach. The dosage of the particular drug can be titrated for the
patient's weight, age or other parameter. Also the dose of drug 101
to achieve a desired or therapeutic effect (e.g., insulin for blood
glucose regulation) when delivered by one or more embodiments of
the invention can be less than the amount required should the drug
have been delivered by conventional oral delivery (e.g., a
swallowable pill that is digested in the stomach and absorbed
through the wall of the small intestine). This is due to the fact
that there is no degradation of the drug by acid and other
digestive fluids in the stomach and the fact that all, as opposed
to only a portion of the drug is delivered into the wall of the
small intestine (or other lumen in the intestinal tract, e.g.,
large intestine, stomach, etc.). Depending upon the drug 101, the
dose 102 delivered in preparation 100 can be in the range from 100
to 5% of a dose delivered by conventional oral delivery (e.g., a
pill) to achieve a desired therapeutic effect (e.g., blood glucose
regulation, seizure regulation, etc.) with even lower amounts
contemplated. The particular dose reduction can be titrated based
upon the particular drug, the condition to be treated, and the
patient's weight, age and condition. For some drugs (with known
levels of degradation in the intestinal tract) a standard dose
reduction can be employed (e.g., 10 to 20%). Larger amounts of dose
reduction can be used for drugs which are more prone to degradation
and poor absorption. In this way, the potential toxicity and other
side effects (e.g., gastric cramping, irritable bowel, hemorrhage,
etc.) of a particular drug or drugs delivered by device 10 can be
reduced because the ingested dose is lowered. This in turn,
improves patient compliance because the patient has reduction both
in the severity and incidence of side effects. Additional benefits
of embodiments employing dose reduction of drug 101 include a
reduced likelihood for the patient to develop a tolerance to the
drug (requiring higher doses) and, in the case of antibiotics, for
the patient to develop resistant strains of bacteria. Also, other
levels of dose reduction can be achieved for patients undergoing
gastric bypass operations and other procedures in which sections of
the small intestine have been removed or its working (e.g.,
digestive) length effectively shortened.
[0085] In addition to delivery of a single drug, embodiments of
swallowable drug delivery device 10 and methods of their use can be
used to deliver a plurality of drugs for the treatment of multiple
conditions or for the treatment of a particular condition (e.g.,
protease inhibitors for treatment HIV AIDS). In use, such
embodiments allow a patient to forgo the necessity of having to
take multiple medications for a particular condition or conditions.
Also, they provide a means for facilitating that a regimen of two
or more drugs is delivered and absorbed into the small intestine
and thus, the blood stream, at about the same time. Due to
difference in chemical makeup, molecular weight, etc., drugs can be
absorbed through the intestinal wall at different rates, resulting
in different pharmacokinetic distribution curves. Embodiments of
the invention address this issue by injecting the desired drug
mixtures at substantially the same time. This in turn, improves the
pharmacokinetics and thus the efficacy of the selected mixture of
drugs. Additionally, eliminating the need to take multiple drugs is
particularly beneficial to patients who have one or more long term
chronic conditions including those who have impaired cognitive or
physical abilities.
[0086] In various applications, embodiments of the above methods
can be used to deliver preparations 100 including drugs and
therapeutic agents 101 to provide treatment for a number of medical
conditions and diseases. The medical conditions and diseases which
can be treated with embodiments of the invention can include
without limitation: cancer, hormonal conditions (e.g., hypo/hyper
thyroid, growth hormone conditions), osteoporosis, high blood
pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride, diabetes and other
glucose regulation disorders, infection (local or septicemia),
epilepsy and other seizure disorders, osteoporosis, coronary
arrhythmia's (both atrial and ventricular), coronary ischemia
anemia or other like condition. Still other conditions and diseases
are also contemplated.
[0087] In many embodiments, the treatment of the particular disease
or condition can be performed without the need for injecting the
drug or other therapeutic agent (or other non-oral form of delivery
such as suppositories) but instead, relying solely on the
therapeutic agent(s) that is delivered into the wall of the small
intestine or other portion of the GI tract. Similarly, the patient
need not take conventional oral forms of a drug or other
therapeutic agent, but again rely solely on delivery into the wall
of the small intestine using embodiments of the swallowable
capsule. In other embodiments, the therapeutic agent(s) delivered
into the wall of the small intestine can be delivered in
conjunction with an injected dose of the agent(s). For example, the
patient may take a daily dose of therapeutic agent using the
embodiments of the swallowable capsule, but only need take an
injected dose every several days or when the patient's condition
requires it (e.g., hyperglycemia). The same is true for therapeutic
agents that are traditionally delivered in oral form (e.g., the
patient can take the swallowable capsule and take the conventional
oral form of the agent as needed). The dosages delivered in such
embodiments (e.g., the swallowed and injected dose) can be titrated
as needed (e.g., using standard dose response curve and other
pharmacokinetic methods can be used to determine the appropriate
dosages). Also, for embodiments using therapeutic agents that can
be delivered by conventional oral means, the dose delivered using
embodiments of the swallowable capsule can be titrated below the
dosage normally given for oral delivery of the agent since there is
little or no degradation of the agent within the stomach or other
portion of the intestinal tract (herein again standard dose
response curve and other pharmacokinetic methods can be
applied).
[0088] Various groups of embodiments of preparation 100 containing
one or more drugs or other therapeutic agents 101 for the treatment
of various diseases and conditions will now be described with
references to dosages. It should be appreciated that these
embodiments, including the particular therapeutic agents and the
respective dosages are exemplary and the preparation 100 can
comprise a number of other therapeutic agents described herein (as
well as those known in the art) that are configured for delivery
into a luminal wall in the intestinal tract (e.g., the small
intestinal wall) using various embodiments of device 10. The
dosages can be larger or smaller than those described and can be
adjusted using one or more methods described herein or known in the
art.
[0089] In a group of embodiments, therapeutic agent preparation 100
can comprise a therapeutically effective dose of growth hormone for
the treatment of one or more growth disorders, as well as wound
healing. In one embodiment, preparation 100 can contain a
therapeutically effective amount of growth hormone in the range of
about 0.1-4 mg, with particular ranges of 0.1-1, 1-4, 1-2, and 2-4
mg, with still larger ranges contemplated. The particular dose can
be titrated based on one or more of the following factors: i) the
particular condition to be treated and its severity (e.g. stunted
growth, vs. wound healing); ii) the patient's weight; iii) the
patient's age; and iv) the frequency of dosage (e.g. daily vs.
twice daily).
[0090] Drug delivery compositions and components of known drug
delivery systems may be employed and/or modified for use in some
embodiments of the inventions described herein. For example,
micro-needles and other microstructures used for delivery of drugs
through the skin surface with drug patches may be modified and
included within the capsules described herein and used to instead
deliver a drug preparation into a lumen wall of the
gastrointestinal tract such as the wall of the small intestine.
Suitable polymer micro-needle structures may be commercially
available from Corium of California, such as the MicroCor.TM. micro
delivery system technology. Other components of the MicroCor.TM.
patch delivery systems, including drug formulations or components,
may also be incorporated into the capsules described herein.
Alternatively, a variety of providers are commercially available to
formulate combinations of polymers or other drug-delivery matrices
with selected drugs and other drug preparation components so as to
produce desired shapes (such as the releasable tissue-penetrating
shapes described herein) having desirable drug release
characteristics. Such providers may, for example, include Corium,
SurModics of Minnesota, BioSensors International of Singapore, or
the like.
[0091] One advantage and feature of various embodiments of the
therapeutic compositions described herein is that the biologic
(therapeutic peptide or protein) drug payload is protected from
degradation and hydrolysis by the action of peptidases and
proteases in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These enzymes are
ubiquitous throughout living systems. The GI tract is especially
rich in proteases whose function is to break down the complex
proteins and peptides in one's diet into smaller segments and
release amino acids which are then absorbed from the intestine. The
compositions described herein are designed to protect the
therapeutic peptide or protein from the actions of these GI
proteases and to deliver the peptide or protein payload directly
into the wall of the intestine. There are two features in various
embodiments of the compositions described herein which serve to
protect the protein or peptide payload from the actions of GI
proteases. First, in certain embodiments, the capsule shell, which
contains the deployment engine and machinery, does not dissolve
until it reaches the duodenal and sub-duodenal intestinal segments,
owing to the pH-sensitive coating on the outer surface of the
capsule which prevents its dissolution in the low pH of the
stomach. Second, in certain embodiments, hollow maltose (or other
appropriate polymer) micro-spears contain the actual therapeutic
peptide or protein; the maltose (or other polymer) micro-spears are
designed to penetrate the intestine muscle as soon as the outer
capsule shell dissolves; and the micro-spears themselves slowly
dissolve in the intestinal muscle wall to release the drug payload.
Thus, the peptide or protein payload is not exposed to the actions
of the GI proteases and therefore does not undergo degradation via
proteolysis in the GI tract. This feature, in turn, contributes to
the high % bioavailability of the therapeutic peptide or
protein.
[0092] As discussed above, embodiments described herein include
therapeutic compositions comprising a therapeutic agent comprising
growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency or
related disorders. Such compositions result in the delivery of a
growth hormone with desirable pharmacokinetic properties. In this
regard, pharmacokinetic metrics of note include C.sub.max, the peak
plasma concentration of a drug after administration; t.sub.max, the
time to reach C.sub.max; and t.sub.1/2, the time required for the
plasma concentration of the drug to reach half its C.sub.max value
after having reached C.sub.max. These metrics can be measured using
standard pharmacokinetic measurement techniques known in the art.
In one approach plasma samples may be taken at set time intervals
(e.g., one minute, five minutes, 1/2 hour, 1 hour, etc.) beginning
and then after administration of the drug or other therapeutic
agent either by use of a swallowable device or by non-vascular
injection. The concentration of the drug in plasma can then be
measured using one or more appropriate analytical methods such as
GC-Mass Spec, LC-Mass Spec, HPLC or various ELISA (Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays) which can be adapted for the particular drug.
A concentration vs. time curve (also herein referred to as a
concentration profile) can then be developed using the measurements
from the plasma samples. The peak of the concentration curve
corresponds to C.sub.max and the time at which this occurs
corresponds to t.sub.max. The time in the curve where the
concentration reaches half its maximum value (i.e., C.sub.max)
after having reached C.sub.max corresponds to t.sub.1/2 this value
is also known as the elimination half-life of the drug. The start
time for determination of C.sub.max can be based on the time at
which the injection is made for the case on non-vascular injection
and the point in time at which embodiments of the swallowable
device advances one or more tissue penetrating members (containing
the drug) into the small intestine or other location in the GI
tract (e.g., the large intestine). In the later case, this time can
determined using one or means including a remote controlled
embodiment of the swallowable device which deploys the tissue
penetrating members into the intestine wall in response to an
external control signal (e.g., an RF signal) or for an embodiment
of the swallowable device which sends an RF or other signal
detectable outside the body when the tissue penetrating members
have been deployed. Other means for detection of tissue penetrating
member deployment into the small intestine are contemplated such as
one more medical imaging modalities including for example,
ultrasound or fluoroscopy. In any one of these studies, appropriate
animal models can be used for example, dog, pig, rat etc. in order
to model the human pharmacokinetic response.
[0093] Thus, various embodiments provide a therapeutic composition
(also referred to herein as a preparation) comprising growth
hormone. The composition is adapted for insertion into an
intestinal wall after oral ingestion, wherein upon insertion, the
composition releases growth hormone into the bloodstream from the
intestinal wall to achieve a C.sub.max faster than an
extravascularly injected dose of the growth hormone that is to say,
achieving a C.sub.max for the inserted form of growth hormone in a
shorter time period (e.g., a smaller t.sub.max) than that for a
dose of the growth hormone that is injected extravascularly Note,
that the dose of growth hormone in the composition delivered into
the intestinal wall and the dose delivered by extravascular
injection, may, but need not, be comparable to achieve these
results. In various embodiments, the composition is configured to
achieve a t.sub.max for the growth hormone (e.g., by release of the
growth hormone into the bloodstream from the intestinal wall, e.g.,
that of the small intestine) which is about 80%, or 50%, or 30%, or
20%, or 10% of a t.sub.max for an extravascularly injected dose of
the growth hormone. Such an extravascularly injected dose of the
growth hormone can be, for example, a subcutaneous injection or an
intramuscular injection. In certain embodiments, the C.sub.max
attained by delivering the growth hormone by insertion into the
intestinal wall is substantially greater, such as 5, 10, 20, 30,
40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or even a 100 times greater, than the C.sub.max
attained when the growth hormone is delivered orally without
insertion into the intestinal wall for example by a pill other
convention oral form of the growth hormone or related compound. In
some embodiments, the growth hormone composition is configured to
produce a long-term release of the growth hormone. Also, the
composition can be configured to produce a long-term release of the
growth hormone with a selectable t.sub.1/2. For example, the
selectable t.sub.1/2 may be 6, or 9, or 12, or 15 or 18, or 24
hours. Any type of acceptable growth hormone may be used, including
somatropin (recombinant human growth hormone). Suitable conditions
for treatment with growth hormone include treatment of children
with short stature or growth failure associated with growth hormone
deficiency, Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature, SHOX
deficiency, failure to catch up in height after small for
gestational age birth, and treatment of adults with either
childhood-onset or adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.
[0094] Various embodiments also provide a therapeutic composition
comprising growth hormone adapted for insertion into an intestinal
wall after oral ingestion, wherein upon insertion, the composition
releases growth hormone into the blood stream from the intestinal
wall to achieve a t.sub.1/2 that is greater than a t.sub.1/2 for an
orally ingested dose of the growth hormone that is not inserted
into the intestinal wall. For example, the t.sub.1/2 of the dose
inserted into the intestinal wall may be 100 or 50 or 10 or 5 times
greater than the dose that is not inserted into the intestinal
wall.
[0095] The therapeutic composition may comprising growth hormone
may be in solid form, such as a solid form composition configured
to degrade in the intestinal wall, and the solid form composition
may have, for example, a tissue penetrating feature such as a
pointed tip. The therapeutic growth hormone composition may
comprise at least one biodegradable material and/or may comprise at
least one pharmaceutical excipient, including a biodegradable
polymer such as PGLA or a sugar such as maltose.
[0096] The therapeutic composition, comprising growth hormone may
be adapted to be orally delivered in a swallowable capsule. In
certain embodiments such a swallowable capsule may be adapted to be
operably coupled to a mechanism having a first configuration and a
second configuration, the therapeutic composition being contained
within the capsule in the first configuration and advanced out of
the capsule and into the intestinal wall in the second
configuration. Such an operably coupled mechanism may comprise at
least one of an expandable member, an expandable balloon, a valve,
a tissue penetrating member, a valve coupled to an expandable
balloon, or a tissue penetrating member coupled to an expandable
balloon.
[0097] In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition, comprising
growth hormone, may be configured to be delivered within a lumen of
a tissue penetrating member and/or the therapeutic composition may
be shaped as a tissue penetrating member advanceable into the
intestinal wall. The tissue penetrating member may be sized to be
completely contained within the intestinal wall, and/or it may
include a tissue penetrating feature for penetrating the intestinal
wall, and/or it may include a retaining feature for retaining the
tissue penetrating member within the intestinal wall. The retaining
feature may comprise, for example, a barb. In some embodiments, the
tissue penetrating member is configured to be advanced into the
intestinal wall by the application of a force to a surface of the
tissue penetrating member and, optionally, the tissue penetrating
member has sufficient stiffness to be advanced completely into the
intestinal wall and/or the surface of the penetrating member is
configured to be operatively coupled to an expandable balloon which
applies the force upon expansion and/or the tissue penetrating
member is configured to detach from a structure applying the force
when a direction of the force changes.
[0098] Various aspects of the invention also provide other
embodiments of a swallowable delivery device for the delivery of
medication 100 in addition to those described above. According to
one or more such embodiments, the swallow delivery device can
include one or more expandable balloons or other expandable devices
for use in delivering one or more tissue penetrating members
including medication 100 into the wall of an intestine, such as the
small intestine. Referring now to FIGS. 12-20, another embodiment
of a device 110 for the delivery of medication 100 to a delivery
site DS in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, can comprise a capsule
120 sized to be swallowed and pass through the intestinal tract, a
deployment member 130, one or more tissue penetrating members 140
containing medication 100, a deployable aligner 160 and a delivery
mechanism 170. In some embodiments, medication 100 (also referred
to herein as preparation 100) may itself comprise tissue
penetrating member 140. The deployable aligner 160 is positioned
within the capsule and configured to align the capsule with the
intestine such as the small intestine. Typically, this will entail
aligning a longitudinal axis of the capsule with a longitudinal
axis of the intestine; however, other alignments are also
contemplated. The delivery mechanism 170 is configured for
delivering medication 100 into the intestinal wall and will
typically include a delivery member 172 such as an expandable
member. The deployment member 130 is configured for deploying at
least one of the aligner 160 or the delivery mechanism 170. As will
be described further herein, all or a portion of the capsule wall
is degradable by contact with liquids in the GI tract so as to
allow those liquids to trigger the delivery of medication 100 by
device 110. As used herein, "GI tract" refers to the esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus, while
"Intestinal tract" refers to the small and large intestine. Various
embodiments of the invention can be configured and arranged for
delivery of medication 100 into both the intestinal tract as well
as the entire GI tract.
[0099] Device 110 including tissue penetrating member 140 can be
configured for the delivery of liquid, semi-liquid or solid forms
of medication 100 or combinations of all three. Whatever the form,
medication 100 desirably has a material consistency allowing the
medication to be advanced out of device 110, into the intestinal
wall (small or large intestine) or other luminal wall in the GI
tract and then degrade within the intestinal wall to release the
drug or other therapeutic agent 101. The material consistency of
medication 100 can include one or more of the hardness, porosity
and solubility of the preparation (in body fluids). The material
consistency can be achieved by selection and use of one or more of
the following: i) the compaction force used to make the
preparation; ii) the use of one or more pharmaceutical
disintegrants known in the art; iii) use of other pharmaceutical
excipients; iv) the particle size and distribution of the
preparation (e.g., micronized particles); and v) use of micronizing
and other particle formation methods known in the art.
[0100] Capsule 120 is sized to be swallowed and pass through the
intestinal tract. The size can also be adjusted depending upon the
amount of drug to be delivered as well as the patient's weight and
adult vs. pediatric applications. Typically, the capsule will have
a tubular shape with curved ends similar to a vitamin. In these and
related embodiments, capsule lengths 120L can be in the range of
0.5 to 2 inches and diameters 120D in the range of 0.1 to 0.5
inches with other dimensions contemplated. The capsule 120 includes
a capsule wall 121w, having an exterior surface 125 and an interior
surface 124 defining an interior space or volume 124v. In some
embodiments, the capsule wall 121w can include one or more
apertures 126 sized for the outward advancement of tissue
penetrating members 140. In addition to the other components of
device 110, (e.g., the expandable member etc.) the interior volume
can include one or more compartments or reservoirs 127.
[0101] The capsule can be fabricated from various biodegradable
gelatin materials known in the pharmaceutical arts, but can also
include various enteric coatings 120c, configured to protect the
cap from degradation in the stomach (due to acids etc.), and then
subsequently degrade in the in higher pH's found in the small
intestine or other area of the intestinal tract. In various
embodiments, the capsule 120 can be formed from multiple portions
one or more of which may be biodegradable. In many embodiments,
capsule 120 can be formed from two portions 120p such as a body
portion 120p'' (herein body 120p'') and a cap portion 120p' (herein
cap 120p), where the cap fits onto the body, e.g., by sliding over
or under the body (with other arrangements also contemplated). One
portion such as the cap 120p' can include a first coating 120c'
configured to degrade above a first pH (e.g., pH 5.5) and the
second portion such as the body 120p'' can include a second coating
120c'' configured to degrade above a second higher pH (e.g. 6.5).
Both the interior 124 and exterior 125 surfaces of capsule 120 are
coated with coatings 120c' and 120c'' so that that either portion
of the capsule will be substantially preserved until it contacts
fluid having the selected pH. For the case of body 120p'' this
allows the structural integrity of the body 120p'' to be maintained
so as to keep balloon 172 inside the body portion and not deployed
until balloon 130 has expanded. Coatings 120c' and 120c'' can
include various methacrylate and ethyl acrylate based coatings such
as those manufactured by Evonik Industries under the trade name
EUDRAGIT. These and other dual coating configurations of the
capsule 120 allows for mechanisms in one portion of capsule 120 to
be actuated before those in the other portion of the capsule. This
is due to the fact that intestinal fluids will first enter those
portions where the lower pH coating has degraded thus actuating
triggers which are responsive to such fluids (e.g., degradable
valves). In use, such dual coating embodiments for capsule 120
provide for targeted drug delivery to a particular location in the
small intestine (or other location in the GI tract), as well as
improved reliability in the delivery process. This is due to the
fact that deployment of a particular component, such as aligner
160, can be configured to begin in the upper area of the small
intestine (e.g., the duodenum) allowing the capsule to be aligned
within the intestine for optimal delivery of the drug (e.g., into
the intestinal wall) as well as providing sufficient time for
deployment/actuation of other components to achieve drug delivery
into the intestinal wall while the capsule is still in the small
intestine or other selected location.
[0102] As is discussed above, one or more portions of capsule 120
can be fabricated from various biocompatible polymers known in the
art, including various biodegradable polymers which in a preferred
embodiment can comprise cellulose, gelatin materials PLGA
(polylactic-co-glycolic acid). Other suitable biodegradable
materials include various enteric materials described herein as
well as lactide, glycolide, lactic acid, glycolic acid,
para-dioxanone, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone,
blends and copolymers thereof.
[0103] In various embodiments, the wall 120w of the capsule is
degradable by contact with liquids in the GI tract for example
liquids in the small intestine. In preferred embodiments, the
capsule wall is configured to remain intact during passage through
the stomach, but then to be degraded in the small intestine. In one
or more embodiments, this can be achieved by the use of an outer
coating or layer 120c on the capsule wall 120w, which only degrades
in the higher pH's found in the small intestine and serves to
protect the underlying capsule wall from degradation within the
stomach before the capsule reaches the small intestine (at which
point the drug delivery process is initiated by degradation of the
coating as is described herein). In use, such coatings allow for
the targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent in a selected portion
of the intestinal tract such as the small intestine.
[0104] Similar to capsule 20, in various embodiments, capsule 120
can include various radio-opaque, echogenic or other materials for
location of the device using one or more medical imaging modalities
such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, MRI, etc.
[0105] As is discussed further herein, in many embodiments, one or
more of the deployment member 130, delivery member 172 or
deployable aligner 160, may correspond to an expandable balloon
that is shaped and sized to fit within capsule 120. Accordingly,
for ease of discussion, deployment member 130, delivery member 172
and deployable aligner 160 will now be referred to as balloon 130,
160 and 172; however, it should be appreciated that other devices
including various expandable devices are also contemplated for
these elements and may include for example, various shape memory
devices (e.g., an expandable basket made from shape memory
biodegradable polymer spires), expandable piezo electric devices,
and/or chemically expandable devices having an expanded shape and
size corresponding to the interior volume 124v of the capsule
120.
[0106] One or more of balloons 130, 160 and 172 can comprise
various polymers known in the medical device arts. In preferred
embodiments such polymers can comprise one or more types of
polyethylene (PE) which may correspond to low density PE (LDPE),
linear low density PE (LLDPE), medium density PE (MDPE) and high
density PE (HDPE) and other forms of polyethylene known in the art.
In one more embodiments using polyethylene, the material may be
cross-linked using polymer irradiation methods known in the art so.
In particular embodiments radiation-based cross-linking may be used
as to control the inflated diameter and shape of the balloon by
decreasing the compliance of the balloon material. The amount or
radiation may be selected to achieve a particular amount of cross
linking to in turn produce a particular amount of compliance for a
given balloon, e.g., increased irradiation can be used to produce
stiffer less compliant balloon material. Other suitable polymers
can include PET (polyethylene terephalate), silicone and
polyurethane. In various embodiments balloons 130, 160 and 172 may
also include various radio-opaque materials known in the art such
as barium sulfate to allow the physician to ascertain the position
and physical state of the balloon (e.g., un-inflated, inflated or
punctures. Balloons 130, 160 and 172 can be fabricated using
various balloon blowing methods known in the balloon catheters arts
(e.g., mold blowing, free blowing, etc.) to have a shape and size
which corresponds approximately to the interior volume 124v of
capsule 120. In various embodiments one or more of balloons 130,
160 and 172 and various connecting features (e.g., connecting
tubes) can have a unitary construction being formed from a single
mold. Embodiments employing such unitary construction provide the
benefit of improved manufacturability and reliability since fewer
joints must be made between one or more components of device
110.
[0107] Suitable shapes for balloons 130, 160 and 172 include
various cylindrical shapes having tapered or curved end portions
(an example of such a shape including a hot dog). In some
embodiments, the inflated size (e.g., diameter) of one or more of
balloons 130, 160 and 172, can be larger than capsule 120 so as to
cause the capsule to come apart from the force of inflation, (e.g.,
due to hoop stress). In other related embodiments, the inflated
size of one or more of balloons 130, 160 and 172 can be such that
when inflated: i) the capsule 120 has sufficient contact with the
walls of the small intestine so as to elicit a peristaltic
contraction causing contraction of the small intestine around the
capsule, and/or ii) the folds of the small intestine are effaced to
allow. Both of these results allow for improved contact between the
capsule/balloon surface and the intestinal wall so as deliver
tissue penetrating members 40 over a selected area of the capsule
and/or delivery balloon 172. Desirably, the walls of balloons 130,
160 and 172 will be thin and can have a wall thickness in the range
of 0.005 to 0.0001'' more preferably, in the range of 0.005 to
0.0001, with specific embodiments of 0.004, 0.003, 0.002, 0.001,
and 0.0005). Additionally in various embodiments, one or more of
balloon 130, 160 or 172 can have a nested balloon configuration
having an inflation chamber 1601C and extended finger 160EF as is
shown in the embodiments of FIG. 13c. The connecting tubing 163,
connecting the inflation chamber 1601C can be narrow to only allow
the passage of gas 168, while the connecting tubing 36 coupling the
two halves of balloon 130 can be larger to allow the passage of
water.
[0108] As indicated above, the aligner 160 will typically comprise
an expandable balloon and for ease of discussion, will now be
referred to as aligner balloon 160 or balloon 160. Balloon 160 can
be fabricated using materials and methods described above. It has
an unexpanded and expanded state (also referred to as a deployed
state). In its expanded or deployed state, balloon 160 extends the
length of capsule 120 such that forces exerted by the peristaltic
contractions of the small intestine SI on capsule 120 serve to
align the longitudinal axis 120LA of the capsule 120 in a parallel
fashion with the longitudinal axis LAI of the small intestine SI.
This in turn serves to align the shafts of tissue penetrating
members 140 in a perpendicular fashion with the surface of the
intestinal wall IW to enhance and optimize the penetration of
tissue penetrating members 140 into the intestinal wall IW. In
addition to serving to align capsule 120 in the small intestine,
aligner 160 is also configured to push delivery mechanism 170 out
of capsule 120 prior to inflation of delivery balloon 172 so that
the delivery balloon and/or mechanism is not encumbered by the
capsule. In use, this push out function of aligner 160 improves the
reliability for delivery of the therapeutic agent since it is not
necessary to wait for particular portions of the capsule (e.g.,
those overlying the delivery mechanism) to be degraded before drug
delivery can occur.
[0109] Balloon 160 may be fluidically coupled to one or more
components of device 110 including balloons 130 and 172 by means of
polymer tube or other fluidic couplings 162 which may include a
tube 163 for coupling balloons 160 and 130 and a tube 164 for
coupling balloon 160 and balloon 172. Tube 163 is configured to
allow balloon 160 to be expanded/inflated by pressure from balloon
130 (e.g., pressure generated the mixture of chemical reactants
within balloon 130) and/or otherwise allow the passage of liquid
between balloons 130 and 160 to initiate a gas generating chemical
reaction for inflation of one or both of balloons 130 and 160. Tube
164 connects balloon 160 to 172 so as to allow for the inflation of
balloon 172 by balloon 160. In many embodiments, tube 164 includes
or is coupled to a control valve 155 which is configured to open at
a selected pressure so as to control the inflation of balloon 172
by balloon 160. Tube 164 may thus comprise a proximal portion 164p
connecting to the valve and a distal portion 164d leading from the
valve. Typically, proximal and distal portions 164p and 164d will
be connected to a valve housing 158 as is described below.
[0110] Valve 155 may comprise a triangular or other shaped section
156 of a material 157 which is placed within a the chamber 158c of
a valve housing 158 (alternately, it may be placed directly within
tubing 164). Section 157 is configured to mechanically degrade
(e.g., tears, shears, delaminates, etc.) at a selected pressure so
as to allow the passage of gas through tube 164 and/or valve
chamber 158c. Suitable materials 157 for valve 155 can include bees
wax or other form of wax and various adhesives known in the medical
arts which have a selectable sealing force/burst pressure. Valve
fitting 158 will typically comprise a thin cylindrical compartment
(made from biodegradable materials) in which section 156 of
material 157 is placed (as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13b)
so as to seal the walls of chamber 158c together or otherwise
obstruct passage of fluid through the chamber. The release pressure
of valve 155 can be controlled through selection of one or more of
the size and shape of section 156 as well as the selection of
material 157 (e.g., for properties such as adhesive strength, shear
strength etc.). In use, control valve 155 allows for a sequenced
inflation of balloon 160 and 172 such that balloon 160 is fully or
otherwise substantially inflated before balloon 172 is inflated.
This, in turn, allows balloon 160 to push balloon 172 along with
the rest of delivery mechanism 170 out of capsule 120 (typically
from body portion 120p') before balloon 172 inflates so that
deployment of tissue penetrating members 140 is not obstructed by
capsule 120. In use, such an approach improves the reliability of
the penetration of tissue penetrating members 140 into intestinal
wall IW both in terms of achieving a desired penetration depth and
delivering greater numbers of the penetrating members 140 contained
in capsule 120 since the advancement of the members into intestinal
wall IW is not obstructed by capsule wall 120w.
[0111] As is describe above, the inflated length 1601 of the
aligner balloon 160 is sufficient to have the capsule 120 become
aligned with the lateral axis of the small intestine from
peristaltic contractions of the intestine. Suitable inflated
lengths 1601 for aligner 160 can include a range between about 1/2
to two times the length 1201 of the capsule 120 before inflation of
aligner 160. Suitable shapes for aligner balloon 160 can include
various elongated shapes such as a hotdog like shape. In specific
embodiments, balloon 160 can include a first section 160' and a
second section 160'', where expansion of first section 160' is
configured to advance delivery mechanism 170 out of capsule 120
(typically out of and second section 160'' is used to inflate
delivery balloon 172. In these and related embodiments, first and
second sections 160' and 160'' can be configured to have a
telescope-style inflation where first section 160' inflates first
to push mechanism 170 out of the capsule (typically from body
portion 120p') and second section 160'' inflates to inflate
delivery member 172. This can be achieve by configuring first
section 160' to have smaller diameter and volume than second
section 160'' such that first section 160' inflates first (because
of its smaller volume) and with second section 160'' not inflating
until first section 60' has substantially inflated. In one
embodiment, this can be facilitated by use of a control valve 155
(described above) connecting sections 160' and 160'' which does not
allow passage of gas into section 160'' until a minimum pressure
has been reached in section 160'. In some embodiments, the aligner
balloon can contain the chemical reactants which react upon mixture
with water or other liquid from the deploying balloon.
[0112] In many embodiments, the deployment member 130 will comprise
an expandable balloon, known as the deployment balloon 130. In
various embodiments, deployment balloon 30 is configured to
facilitate deployment/expansion of aligner balloon 160 by use of a
gas, for example, generation of a gas 169 from a chemical. The gas
may be generated by the reaction of solid chemical reactants 165,
such as an acid 166 (e.g., citric acid) and a base 166 (e.g.,
potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and the like) which are
then mixed with water or other aqueous liquid 168. The amount of
reactants can be chosen using stoichiometric methods to produce a
selected pressure in one or more of balloons 130, 160 and 72. The
reactants 165 and liquids can be stored separately in balloon 130
and 160 and then brought together in response to a trigger event,
such as the pH conditions in the small intestine. The reactants 165
and liquids 168 can be stored in either balloon, however in
preferred embodiments, liquid 168 is stored in balloon 130 and
reactants 165 in balloon 160. To allow for passage of the liquid
168 to start the reaction and/or the resulting gas 169, balloon 130
may be coupled to aligner balloon 160 by means of a connector tube
163 which also typically includes a separation means 150 such as a
degradable valve 150 described below. For embodiments where balloon
130 contains the liquid, tube 163 has sufficient diameter to allow
for the passage of sufficient water from balloon 130 to balloon 60
to produce the desired amount of gas to inflate balloon 160 as well
inflate balloon 172. Also when balloon 130 contains the liquid, one
or both of balloon 30 and tube 63 are configured to allow for the
passage of liquid to balloon 160 by one or more of the following:
i) the compressive forced applied to balloon 130 by peristaltic
contractions of the small intestine on the exposed balloon 130; and
ii) wicking of liquid through tube 163 by capillary action.
[0113] Tube 163 will typically include a degradable separation
valve or other separation means 150 which separates the contents of
balloon 130, (e.g., water 158) from those of balloon 160 (e.g.,
reactants 165) until the valve degrades. Valve 150 can be
fabricated from a material such as maltose, which is degradable by
liquid water so that the valve opens upon exposure to water along
with the various liquids in the digestive tract. It may also be
made from materials that are degradable responsive to the higher
pH's found in the intestinal fluids such as methacrylate based
coatings. The valve is desirably positioned at location on tube 163
which protrudes above balloon 130 and/or is otherwise sufficient
exposed such that when cap 120p' degrades the valve 150 is exposed
to the intestinal liquids which enter the capsule. In various
embodiments, valve 150 can be positioned to lie on the surface of
balloon 130 or even protrude above it (as is shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 16a and 16b), so that is has clear exposure to
intestinal fluids once cap 120p' degrades. Various embodiments of
the invention provide a number of structures for a separation valve
150, for example, a beam like structure (where the valve comprises
a beam that presses down on tube 163 and/or connecting section
136), or collar type structure (where the valve comprise a collar
lying over tube 163 and/or connecting section 136). Still other
valve structures are also contemplated.
[0114] Balloon 130 has a deployed and a non-deployed state. In the
deployed state, the deployment balloon 130 can have a dome shape
130d which corresponds to the shape of an end of the capsule. Other
shapes 130s for the deployed balloon 130 are also contemplated,
such as spherical, tube-shape, etc. The reactants 165 will
typically include at least two reactants 166 and 167, for example,
an acid such as citric acid and a base such as sodium bicarbonate.
Other reactants 165 including other acids, e.g., ascetic acid and
bases, e.g., sodium hydroxide are also contemplated. When the valve
or other separation means 150 opens, the reactants mix in the
liquid and produce a gas such as carbon dioxide which expands the
aligner balloon 160 or other expandable member.
[0115] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 13b, the
deployment balloon 130 can actually comprise a first and second
balloon 130' and 130'' connected by a tube 36 or other connection
means 136 (e.g., a connecting section). Connecting tube 136 will
typically include a separation valve 150 that is degradable by a
liquid as described above and/or a liquid having a particular pH
such as basic pH found in the small intestine (e.g., 5.5 or 6.5).
The two balloons 130' and 130'' can each have a half dome shape
130hs allowing them to fit into the end portion of the capsule when
in the expanded state. One balloon can contain the chemical
reactant(s) 165 (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, etc.) the
other the liquid water 168, so that when the valve is degraded the
two components mix to form a gas which inflates one or both
balloons 130' and 130'' and in turn, the aligner balloon 160.
[0116] In yet another alternative embodiment, balloon 130 can
comprise a multi-compartment balloon 130mc, that is formed or other
constructed to have multiple compartments 130c. Typically,
compartments 130c will include at least a first and a second
compartment 134 and 135 which are separated by a separation valve
150 or other separation means 150 as is shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 14a. In many embodiments, compartments 134 and 135 will have
at least a small connecting section 136 between them which is where
separation valve 150 will typically be placed. A liquid 168,
typically water, can be disposed within first compartment 134 and
one or more reactants 165 disposed in second compartment 135 (which
typically are solid though liquid may also be used) as is shown in
the embodiment of FIG. 14a. When valve 150 opens (e.g., from
degradation caused by fluids within the small intestine) liquid 168
enters compartment 135 (or vice versa or both), the reactant(s) 165
mix with the liquid and produce a gas 169 such as carbon dioxide
which expands balloon 130 which in turn can be used to expand one
or more of balloons 160 and 172.
[0117] Reactants 165 will typically include at least a first and a
second reactant, 166 and 167 for example, an acid such as citric
acid and a base such as sodium bi-carbonate or potassium
bi-carbonate. As discussed herein, in various embodiments they may
be placed in one or more of balloon 130 (including compartments 134
and 135 or halves 130' and 130'') and balloon 160. Additional
reactants, including other combinations of acids and bases which
produce an inert gas by product are also contemplated. For
embodiments using citric acid and sodium or potassium bicarbonate,
the ratios between the two reactants (e.g., citric acid to
potassium bicarbonate) can be in the range of about 1:1 to about
1:4, with a specific ratio of about 1:3. Desirably, solid reactants
165 have little or no absorbed water. Accordingly, one or more of
the reactants, such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate
can be pre-dried (e.g., by vacuum drying) before being placed
within balloon 130. Other reactants 165 including other acids,
e.g., ascetic acid and bases are also contemplated. The amounts of
particular reactants 165, including combinations of reactants can
be selected to produce particular pressures using known
stoichiometric equations for the particular chemical reactions as
well as the inflated volume of the balloon and the ideal gas law
(e.g., PV=nRT). In particular embodiments, the amounts of reactants
can be selected to produce a pressure selected one or more of
balloons 130, 160 and 172 to: i) achieve a particular penetration
depth into the intestinal wall; and produce a particular diameter
for one or more of balloons 130, 160 and 172; and iii) exert a
selected amount of force against intestinal wall IW. In particular
embodiments, the amount and ratios of the reactants (e.g., citric
acid and potassium bicarbonate) can be selected to achieve
pressures in one more of the balloons 130, 160 and 172 in the range
of 10 to 15 psi, with smaller and larger pressures contemplated.
Again the amounts and ratios of the reactants to achieve these
pressures can be determined using known stoichiometric
equations.
[0118] In various embodiments of the invention using chemical
reactants 165 to generate gas 169, the chemical reactants alone or
in combination with the deployment balloon 130 can comprise a
deployment engine for 180 deploying one or both of the aligner
balloon 160 and delivery mechanism 170 including delivery balloon
172. Deployment engine 180 may also include embodiments using two
deployment balloons 130 and 130'' (a dual dome configuration as
shown in FIG. 13b), or a multi compartment balloon 130mc as shown
in FIG. 14a. Other forms of a deployment engine 180 are also
contemplated by various embodiments of the invention such as use of
expandable piezo-electric materials (that expand by application of
a voltage), springs and other shape memory materials and various
thermally expandable materials.
[0119] One or more of the expandable balloons 130, 160 and 172 will
also typically include a deflation valve 159 which serves to
deflate the balloon after inflation. Deflation valve 159 can
comprise biodegradable materials which are configured to degrade
upon exposure to the fluids in the small intestine and/or liquid in
one of the compartments of the balloon so as to create an opening
or channel for escape of gas within a particular balloon.
Desirably, deflation valves 159 are configured to degrade at a
slower rate than valve 150 to allow sufficient time for inflation
of balloons, 130, 160 and 172 before the deflation valve degrades.
In various embodiments, of a compartmentalized balloon 130,
deflation valve 159 can correspond to a degradable section 139
positioned on an end portion 131 of the balloon as is shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 14a. In this and related embodiments, when
degradable section 139 degrades from exposure to the liquid,
balloon wall 132 tears or otherwise comes apart providing for a
high assurance of rapid deflation. Multiple degradable sections 139
can be placed at various locations within balloon wall 132.
[0120] In various embodiments of balloon 172, deflation valve 159
can correspond to a tube valve 173 attached to the end 172e of the
delivery balloon 172 (opposite to the end which is coupled to the
aligner balloon) as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13b. The
tube valve 173 comprises a hollow tube 173t having a lumen that is
obstructed at a selected location 1731 with a material 173m such as
maltose that degrades upon exposure to fluid such as the fluid in
the small intestine. The location 1731 of the obstructing material
173m in tube 173t is selected to provide sufficient time for the
delivery balloon 172 to inflate and deliver the tissue penetrating
members 40 into the intestinal wall IW before the obstructing
material dissolves to open valve 173. Typically, this will be close
to the end 173e of the tube 173t, but not quite so as to allow time
for liquid to have to wick into the tube lumen before it reaches
material 173m. According to one or more embodiments, once the
deflation valve 173 opens, it not only serves to deflate the
delivery balloon 172 but also the aligner balloon 160 and
deployment balloon 130 since in many embodiments, all three are
fluidically connected (aligner balloon being fluidically connected
to delivery balloon 172 and the deployment balloon 130 being
fluidically connected to aligner balloon 160). Opening of the
deflation valve 173 can be facilitated by placing it on the end
172e of the delivery balloon 172 that is forced out of capsule 120
by inflation of the aligner balloon 160 so that the deflation valve
has good exposure to liquids in the small intestine. Similar tube
deflation valves 173 can also be positioned on one or both of
aligner balloon 162 and the deployment balloon 130. In these later
two cases, the obstructing material in the tube valve can be
configured to degrade over a time period to allow sufficient time
for inflation of delivery balloon 172 and advancement of tissue
penetrating members 140 into the intestinal wall.
[0121] Additionally, as further backup for insured deflation, one
or more puncture elements 182 can be attached to the inside surface
124 of the capsule such that when a balloon (e.g., balloon 130,
160, 172) fully inflates it contacts and is punctured by the
puncture element 182. Puncture elements 182 can comprise short
protrusions from surface 124 having a pointed tip. In another
alternative or additional embodiment of means for balloon
deflation, one or more of the tissue penetrating members 140 can be
directly coupled to the wall of 172w of balloon 172 and configured
to tear away from the balloon when they detach, tearing the balloon
wall in the process.
[0122] A discussion will now be presented of tissue penetrating
members 140. Tissue penetrating member 140 can be fabricated from
various drugs and other therapeutic agents 101, one or more
pharmaceutical excipients (e.g., disintegrants, stabilizers, etc.)
and one or more biodegradable polymers. The later materials chosen
to confer desired structural and material properties to the
penetrating member (for example, column strength for insertion into
the intestinal wall, or porosity and hydrophilicity for control the
release of drug). Referring now to FIGS. 18a-18f, in many
embodiments, the penetrating member 140 can be formed to have a
shaft 144 and a needle tip 145 or other pointed tip 145 so as to
readily penetrate tissue of the intestinal wall as shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 18a. In preferred embodiments, tip 145 has a
trocar shape as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 18c. Tip 145 may
comprise various degradable materials (within the body of the tip
or as a coating), such as sucrose or other sugar which increase the
hardness and tissue penetrating properties of the tip. Once placed
in the intestinal wall, the penetrating member 140 is degraded by
the interstitial fluids within the wall tissue so that the drug or
other therapeutic agent 101 dissolves in those fluids and is
absorbed into the blood stream. One or more of the size, shape and
chemical composition of tissue penetrating member 140 can be
selected to allow for dissolution and absorption of drug 101 in a
matter of seconds, minutes or even hours. Rates of dissolution can
be controlled through the use of various disintegrants known in the
pharmaceutical arts. Examples of disintegrants include, but are not
limited to, various starches such as sodium starch glycolate and
various cross linked polymers such as carboxymethyl cellulose. The
choice of disintegrants can be specifically adjusted for the
environment within the wall of the small intestine.
[0123] Tissue penetrating member 140 will also typically include
one or more tissue retaining features 143 such as a barb or hook to
retain the penetrating member within the tissue of the intestinal
wall IW after advancement. Retaining features 143 can be arranged
in various patterns 143p to enhance tissue retention such as two or
more barbs symmetrically or otherwise distributed around and along
member shaft 144 as is shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 18a and
18b. Additionally, in many embodiments, penetrating member will
also include a recess or other mating feature 146 for attachment to
a coupling component on delivery mechanism 170.
[0124] Tissue penetrating member 140 is desirably configured to be
detachably coupled to platform 175 (or other component of delivery
mechanism 170), so that after advancement of the tissue penetrating
member 140 into the intestinal wall, the penetrating member
detaches from the balloon. Detachability can be implemented by a
variety of means including: i) the snugness or fit between the
opening 174 in platform 175 and the member shaft 144); ii) the
configuration and placement of tissue retaining features 143 on
penetrating member 140; and iii) the depth of penetration of shaft
144 into the intestinal wall. Using one or more of these factors,
penetrating member 140 be configured to detach as a result of
balloon deflation (where the retaining features 143 hold the
penetrating member 140 in tissue as the balloon deflates or
otherwise pulls back away from the intestinal wall) and/or the
forces exerted on capsule 120 by a peristaltic contraction of the
small intestine.
[0125] In a specific embodiment, the detachability and retention of
tissue penetrating member 140 in the intestinal wall IW can be
enhanced by configuring the tissue penetrating member shaft 144 to
have an inverse taper 144t as is shown in the embodiment of FIG.
18c. The taper 144t on the shaft 144 is configured such that the
application of peristaltic contractile forces from the intestinal
wall on the shaft result in the shaft being forced inward (e.g.,
squeezed inward). This is due to the conversion by shaft taper 144t
of the laterally applied peristaltic force PF to an orthogonal
force OF acting to force the shaft inward into the intestinal wall.
In use, such inverse tapered shaft configurations serve to retain
tissue penetrating member 140 within the intestinal wall so as to
detach from platform 175 (or other component of delivery mechanism
170) upon deflation of balloon 172. In additional embodiments,
tissue penetrating members 140 having an inverse tapered shaft may
also include one or more retaining features 143 to further enhance
the retention of the tissue penetrating member within intestinal
wall IW once inserted.
[0126] As described above, in various embodiments, tissue
penetrating member 140 can be fabricated from a number of drugs and
other therapeutic agents 101. Also according to one or more
embodiments, the tissue penetrating member may be fabricated
entirely from drug 101 or may have other constituent components as
well, e.g., various pharmaceutical excipients (e.g., binders,
preservatives, disintegrants, etc.), polymers conferring desired
mechanical properties, etc. Further, in various embodiments one or
more tissue penetrating members 140 can carry the same or a
different drug 101 (or other therapeutic agent) from other tissue
penetrating members. The former configuration allows for the
delivery of greater amounts of a particular drug 101, while the
later, allows two or more different drugs to be delivered into the
intestinal wall at about the same time to facilitate drug treatment
regimens requiring substantial concurrent delivery of multiple
drugs. In embodiments of device 110, having multiple delivery
assemblies 178 (e.g., two, one on each face of balloon 172), a
first assembly 178' can carry tissue penetrating members having a
first drug 101 and a second assembly 178'' can carry tissue
penetrating members having a second drug 101.
[0127] Typically, the drug or other therapeutic agent 101 carried
by the tissue penetrating member 140 will be mixed in with a
biodegradable material 105 to form tissue penetrating member 140.
Material 105 may include one or more biodegradable polymers such as
PLGA, cellulose, as well as sugars such as maltose or other
biodegradable material described herein or known in the art. In
such embodiments, the penetrating member 140 may comprise a
substantially heterogeneous mixture of drug 101 and biodegradable
material 105. Alternatively, the tissue penetrating member 140 may
include a portion 141 formed substantially from biodegradable
material 105 and a separate section 142 that is formed from or
contains drug 101 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 18d. In one or
more embodiments, section 142 may correspond to a pellet, slug,
cylinder or other shaped section 142s of drug 101. Shaped section
142s may be pre-formed as a separate section which is then inserted
into a cavity 142c in tissue penetrating member 140 as is shown in
the embodiments of FIGS. 18e and 18f Alternatively section 142s may
be formed by adding of drug preparation 100 to cavity 142c. In
embodiments, where drug preparation 100 is added to cavity 142c,
preparation may be added in as a powder, liquid, or gel which is
poured or injected into cavity 142c. Shaped section 142s may be
formed of drug 101 by itself or a drug preparation containing drug
101 and one or more binders, preservatives, disintegrates and other
excipients. Suitable binders include polyethylene glycol (PEG) and
other binders known in the art. In various embodiments, the PEG or
other binder may comprise in the range of about 10 to 90% weight
percent of the section 142s, with a preferred embodiment for
insulin preparations of about 25-90 weight percent. Other
excipients which may be used for binders may include, PLA, PLGA,
cyclodextrin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, maltose, dextrin,
sucrose and PGA. Further information on the weight percent of
excipients in section 142 may be found in Table 1. For ease of
discussion, section 142 is referred to as a pellet in the table,
but the data in the table is also applicable to other embodiments
of section 142 described herein.
[0128] In various embodiments, the weight of tissue penetrating
member 140 can range between about 10 to 15 mg, with larger and
smaller weights contemplated. For embodiments of tissue penetrating
member 140 fabricated from maltose, the weight can range from about
11 to 14 mg. In various embodiments, depending upon the drug 101
and the desired delivered dose, the weight percent of drug in
member 140 can range from about 0.1 to about 15%. In exemplary
embodiments, these weight per cents correspond to embodiments of
members 140 fabricated from maltose or PLGA, however they are also
applicable to any of the biodegradable materials 105 used in the
fabrication of members 140. The weight percent of drug or other
therapeutic agent 101 in member 140 can be adjusted depending upon
the desired dose as well as to provide for structural and
stoichiometric stability of the drug and also to achieve a desired
concentration profile of the drug in the blood or other tissue of
the body. Various stability tests and models (e.g., using the
Arrhenius equation) known in the art and/or known rates of drug
chemical degradation may be used to make specific adjustments in
the weight percent range. Table 1 lists the dose and weight percent
range for insulin and number of other drugs which may be delivered
by tissue penetrating member 140. In some cases, the table lists
ranges as well a single value for the dose. It should be
appreciated that these values are exemplary and other values
recited herein including the claims are also considered. Further,
embodiments of the invention also consider variations around these
values including for example, .+-.1, .+-.5, .+-.10, .+-.25, and
even larger variations. Such variations are considered to fall
within the scope of an embodiment claiming a particular value or
range of values. The table also lists the weight percentage of drug
in in section 142 for various drugs and other therapeutic agents,
where again for ease of discussion, section 142 is referred to as a
pellet. Again, embodiments of the invention consider the variations
described above.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 % Weight % Weight of Drug in of drug in Drug
Dose Via Capsule** the needle pellet Insulin 4-9 units, 5-30 units,
2-15% 10-75% 1-50 Units Exenatide 1-10 ug, 1-20 ug, <1%, 0.1-1%
0.2-1% 10 ug Liraglutide 0.1-1 mg, 0.5-2 mg, 3-6% 25-40% 0.6 mg
Pramlintide 15-120 ug 0.1-1% 0.5-6% Growth Hormone 0.2-1 mg, 0.1-4
mg 2-10% 10-50% Somatostatin and 50-600 ug, 10-100 ug 0.3-8% 2-35%
Analogs GnRH and Analogs 0.3-1.5 mg, 0.1-2 mg 2-15% 15-75%
Vasopressin 2-10 units <1%, 0.1-1% 0.2-1% PTH and Analogues 0.1
to 10 ug, 10-30 ug, 1-2% 0.5-2% 20 ug Interferons and analogs 1.
For Multiple 0.03-0.25 mg 0.1-3% 1.5-15% Sclerosis 2. For Hep B and
6-20 ug 0.05-0.2% 0.2-1% HepC Adalimumab 1-5 mg, 2-4 mg 8-12%
70-90% Infliximab 1-10, 5 mg 8-12% 70-90% Etanercept 1-5 mg, 3 mg
8-12% 70-90% Natalizumab 1-5 mg, 3 mg 8-12% 70-90%
[0129] Tissue penetrating member 140 can be fabricated using one or
more polymer and pharmaceutical fabrication techniques known in the
art. For example, drug 101 (with or without biodegradable material
105) can be in solid form and then formed into the shape of the
tissue penetrating member 140 using molding, compaction or other
like method with one or more binding agents added. Alternatively,
drug 101 and/or drug preparation 100 may be in solid or liquid form
and then added to the biodegradable material 105 in liquid form
with the mixture then formed into the penetrating member 140 using
molding or other forming method known in the polymer arts.
[0130] Desirably, embodiments of the tissue penetrating member 140
comprising a drug or other therapeutic agent 101 and degradable
material 105 are formed at temperatures which do not produce any
substantial thermal degradation of drug including drugs such as
various peptides and proteins. This can be achieved through the use
of room-temperature curing polymers and room temperature molding
and solvent evaporation techniques known in the art. In particular
embodiments, the amount of thermally degraded drug or other
therapeutic agent within the tissue penetrating member is desirably
less than about 10% by weight and more preferably, less than 5% and
still more preferably less than 1%. The thermal degradation
temperature(s) for a particular drug are either known or can be
determined using methods known in the art and then this temperature
can be used to select and adjust the particular polymer processing
methods (e.g., molding, curing. solvent evaporation methods etc.)
to minimize the temperatures and associated level of drug thermal
degradation.
[0131] A description will be provided of delivery mechanism 170.
Typically, the mechanism will comprise a delivery assembly 178
(containing tissue penetrating members 140) that is attached to
delivery balloon 172 as is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 16a and
16b. Inflation of the delivery balloon provides a mechanical force
for engaging delivery assembly 172 outwards from the capsule and
into the intestinal wall IW so as to insert tissue penetrating
members 140 into the wall. In various embodiments, the delivery
balloon 172 can have an elongated shape with two relatively flat
faces 172f connected by an articulated accordion-like body 172b.
The flat faces 172f can be configured to press against the
intestinal wall (IW) upon expansion of the balloon 172 so as to
insert the tissue penetrating members (TPMs) 140 into the
intestinal wall. TPMs 140 (either by themselves or as part of a
delivery assembly 178 described below) can be positioned on one or
both faces 172f of balloon 172 to allow insertion of drug
containing TPMs 40 on opposite sides of the intestinal wall. The
faces 172f of balloon 172 may have sufficient surface area to allow
for placement of a number of drug containing TPMs 140 on each
face.
[0132] Referring now to FIG. 19, a description will now be provided
of the assembly of delivery assembly 178. In a first step 300, one
or more tissue penetrating members 140 can be detachably coupled to
a biodegradable advancement structure 175 which may correspond to a
support platform 175 (also known as platform 175). In preferred
embodiments, platform 175 includes one or more openings 174 for
insertion of members 140 as shown in step 300. Openings 174 are
sized to allow for insertion and retention of members 140 in
platform 175 prior to expansion of balloon 172 while allowing for
their detachment from the platform upon their penetration into the
intestinal wall. Support platform 175 can then be positioned within
a carrying structure 176 as shown in step 301. Carrying structure
176 may correspond to a well structure 176 having side walls 176s
and a bottom wall 176b which define a cavity or opening 176c.
Platform 175 is desirably attached to inside surface of bottom wall
176b using adhesive or other joining methods known in the art. Well
structure 176 can comprise various polymer materials and may be
formed using vacuum forming techniques known in the polymer
processing arts. In many embodiments, opening 176o can be covered
with a protective film 177 as shown in step 302. Protective film
177 has properties selected to function as a barrier to protect
tissue penetrating members 140 from humidity and oxidation while
still allowing tissue penetrating members 140 to penetrate the film
as is described below. Film 177 can comprise various water and/or
oxygen impermeable polymers which are desirably configured to be
biodegradable in the small intestine and/or to pass inertly through
the digestive tract. It may also have a multi-ply construction with
particular layers selected for impermeability to a given substance,
e.g., oxygen, water vapor etc. In use, embodiments employing
protective film 177 serve to increase the shelf life of therapeutic
agent 101 in tissue penetrating members 140, and in turn, the shelf
life of device 110. Collectively, support platform 175 attached
tissue penetrating members 140, well structure 176, and film 177
can comprise a delivery assembly 178. Delivery assemblies 178
having one or more drugs or therapeutic agents 101 contained within
tissue penetrating member 40 or other drug delivery means can be
pre-manufactured, stored and subsequently used for the manufacture
of device 110 at a later date. The shelf life of assembly 178 can
be further enhanced by filling cavity 176c of the sealed assembly
178 with an inert gas such as nitrogen.
[0133] Referring back to FIGS. 16a and 16b, assemblies 178 can be
positioned on one or both faces 172f of balloon 172. In preferred
embodiments, assemblies 178 are positioned on both faces 172f (as
shown in FIG. 16a) so as to provide a substantially equal
distribution of force to opposite sides of the intestinal wall IW
upon expansion of balloon 172. The assemblies 178 may be attached
to faces 172f using adhesives or other joining methods known in the
polymer arts. Upon expansion of balloon 172, TPMs 140 penetrate
through film 177, enter the intestinal wall IW and are retained
there by retaining elements 143 and/or other retaining features of
TPM 140 (e.g., an inverse tapered shaft 144t) such that they detach
from platform 175 upon deflation of balloon 172.
[0134] In various embodiments, one or more of balloons 130, 160 and
172 can be packed inside capsule 120 in a folded, furled or other
desired configuration to conserve space within the interior volume
124v of the capsule. Folding can be done using preformed creases or
other folding feature or method known in the medical balloon arts.
In particular embodiments, balloon 130, 160 and 172 can be folded
in selected orientations to achieve one or more of the following:
i) conserve space, ii) produce a desired orientation of a
particular inflated balloon; and iii) facilitate a desired sequence
of balloon inflations. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 15a-15f
illustrate an embodiment of a method of folding and various folding
arrangements. However, it should be appreciated that this folding
arrangement and the resulting balloon orientations are exemplary
and others may also be used. In this and related embodiments,
folding can be done manually, by automated machine or a combination
of both. Also in many embodiments, folding can be facilitated by
using a single multi-balloon assembly 7 (herein assembly 7)
comprising balloons 130, 160, 170; valve chamber 158 and assorted
connecting tubings 162 as is shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 13a
and 13b. FIG. 13a shows an embodiment of assembly 7 having a single
dome construction for balloon 130, while FIG. 13b shows the
embodiment of assembly 7 having dual balloon/dome configuration for
balloon 130. Assembly 7 can be fabricated using a thin polymer film
which is vacuum-formed into the desired shape using various vacuum
forming and other related methods known in the polymer processing
arts. Suitable polymer films include polyethylene films having a
thickness in the range of about 0.003 to about 0.010'', with a
specific embodiment of 0.005''. In preferred embodiments, the
assembly is fabricated to have a unitary construction so as to
eliminate the need for joining one or more components of the
assembly (e.g., balloons 130,160, etc.). However, it is also
contemplated for assembly 7 to be fabricated from multiple portions
(e.g., halves), or components (e.g., balloons) which are then
joined using various joining methods known in the polymer/medical
device arts.
[0135] Referring now to FIGS. 15a-15f, 16a-16b and 17a-17b, in a
first folding step 210, balloon 160 is folded over onto valve
fitting 158 with balloon 172 being flipped over to the opposite
side of valve fitting 158 in the process (see FIG. 15a). Then in
step 211, balloon 172 is folded at a right angle to the folded
combination of balloon 160 and valve 158 (see FIG. 15b). Then, in
step 212 for dual dome embodiments of balloon 130, the two halves
130' and 130'' of balloon 130 are folded onto each other, leaving
valve 150 exposed (see FIG. 15c, for single dome embodiments of
balloon 130, is folded over onto itself see FIG. 15e). A final
folding step 213 can be done whereby folded balloon 130 is folded
over 180.degree. to the opposite side of valve fitting 158 and
balloon 160 to yield a final folded assembly 8 for dual dome
configurations shown in the FIG. 15e and a final folded assembly 8'
for single dome configurations shown in FIGS. 15e and 15f. One or
more delivery assemblies 178 are then be attached to assembly 8 in
step 214 (typically two the faces 72f of balloon 72) to yield a
final assembly 9 (shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 16a and 16b)
which is then inserted into capsule 120. After an insertion step
215, the final assembled version of device 110 with inserted
assembly 9 is shown FIGS. 17a and 17b.
[0136] Referring now to FIGS. 20a-20i, a description will be
provided of a method of using device 110 to deliver medication 101
to a site in the GI tract such as the wall of the small or large
intestine. It should be appreciated that the steps and there order
is exemplary and other steps and orders also contemplated. After
device 110 enters the small intestine SI, the cap coating 120c' is
degraded by the basic pH in the upper small intestine causing
degradation of cap 120p' as shown in step 400 in FIG. 20b. Valve
150 is then exposed to fluids in the small intestine causing the
valve to begin degrade as is shown in step 401 in FIG. 20c. Then,
in step 402, balloon 130 expands (due to generation of gas 169) as
shown in FIG. 20d. Then, in step 403, section 160' of balloon 160
begins to expand to start to push assembly 178 out of the capsule
body as shown in FIG. 20e. Then, in step 404, sections 160' and
160'' of balloon 160 become fully inflated to completely push
assembly 178 out of the capsule body extending the capsule length
1201 so as to serve to align capsule lateral axis 120AL with the
lateral axis of the small intestine LAI as shown in FIG. 20f.
During this time, valve 155 is beginning to fail from the increased
pressure in balloon 60 (due to the fact that the balloon has fully
inflated and there is no other place for gas 169 to go). Then, in
step 405, valve 155 has completely opened, inflating balloon 172
which then pushes the now completely exposed assembly 178 (having
been pushed completely out of body 120p'') radially outward into
the intestinal wall IW as shown in FIG. 20g. Then, in step 406,
balloon 172 continues to expand to now advance tissue penetrating
members into the intestinal wall IW as shown in FIG. 20h. Then, in
step 407, balloon 172, (along with balloons 160 and 130) has
deflated pulling back and leaving tissue penetrating members
retained in the intestinal wall IW. Also, the body portion 120p''
of the capsule has completely degraded (due to degradation of
coating 120c'') along with other biodegradable portions of device
110. Any portion not degraded is carried distally through the small
intestine by peristaltic contraction from digestion and is
ultimately excreted.
[0137] The foregoing description of various embodiments of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed. Many modifications, variations and
refinements will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.
For example, embodiments of the device can be sized and otherwise
adapted for various pediatric and neonatal applications as well as
various veterinary applications. Also those skilled in the art will
recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine
experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific devices and
methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be
within the scope of the present invention and are covered by the
appended claims below.
[0138] Elements, characteristics, or acts from one embodiment can
be readily recombined or substituted with one or more elements,
characteristics or acts from other embodiments to form numerous
additional embodiments within the scope of the invention. Moreover,
elements that are shown or described as being combined with other
elements, can, in various embodiments, exist as standalone
elements. Hence, the scope of the present invention is not limited
to the specifics of the described embodiments, but is instead
limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *