Durect Corporation

Intraear, Inc.

Michael H Arenberg

Irving K Arenberg

Huey-Ching Su

William W Van Osdol

Jaymin Shah

Jan Jozef Scicinski

Christine Lemke

John A Berglund

Felix T Theeuwes

Edward M Gillis

Charles R Rampersaud

Controlled release oral dosage forms suitable for administration of methylphenidate are provided. Abuse-resistant controlled release oral dosage forms suitable for administration of methylphenidate are also provided. Methods of treating ADD and ADHD using the oral dosage forms are also provided.

Oral pharmaceutical dosage forms

A specialized drug delivery unit for inner ear treatment which employs a portion of carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is sized for placement in the round window niche of a patient. The released therapeutic agents come in contact with the round window membrane and pass therethrough into the inner ear for treatment purposes. This system provides many benefits ranging from the ability to deliver drugs in a site specific, highly controlled manner to the transfer of such materials with minimal patient discomfort and monitoring requirements.

Controlled release system for delivering therapeutic agents into the inner ear

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to an internal cavity of the ear, particularly to the inner ear. In general, the invention uses a drug delivery unit for inner ear treatment which employs a portion of carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is shaped and sized for placement of at least a portion thereof in the round window niche of a patient. The released therapeutic agents come in contact with the round window membrane and pass therethrough into the inner ear for treatment purposes. This system provides many benefits ranging from the ability to deliver drugs in a site specific, highly controlled manner to the transfer of such materials with minimal patient discomfort and monitoring requirements.

Methods and apparatus used for securing the end of a drug-delivery catheter at the round window niche of the inner ear; specifically an apparatus employing a miniature threaded screw pump to inflate a balloon allowing a catheter to be secured within the round window niche of the inner ear.

Aural catheter system including anchor balloon and balloon inflation device

An apparatus for delivering fluid materials into and out of the inner ear via the round window membrane. A fluid transfer conduit is provided which includes one or more passageways therethrough which may have a semipermeable membrane associated therewith to control fluid flow. Attached to the conduit is an inflatable bladder sized for insertion within the round window niche. When inflated, the bladder engages the internal side wall of the niche, thereby securing the bladder and part of the conduit within the niche. The conduit can then transfer fluids to and from the niche and the fluid-permeable round window membrane therein. Bladder inflation may be achieved through one of the passageways within the conduit which can deliver an inflation fluid into the bladder. Also, the conduit may include an elongate conductive diagnostic member for transferring electrical potentials to and from the inner ear.

Fluid transfer and diagnostic system for treating the inner ear

An apparatus for transferring fluids into and out of the inner ear through the round window membrane. The apparatus includes a cover member sized for placement over the round window niche. Fluid delivery and fluid extraction conduits are provided which are operatively connected to the cover member so that fluids can pass therethrough. The cover member is positioned over the niche to create a fluid-recieving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. As a result, fluids can be delivered into or withdrawn from the zone. Alternatively, a single conduit may be used for fluid delivery and extraction. Another variation uses a compressible cover member positioned within the round window niche to form a fluid-receiving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. The same type of conduit system described above is attached to the compressible cover member.

Growing community of inventors

Campbell, CA, United States of America

Michael H Arenberg