The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 28, 2011
Thomas Lenarz, Hannover, DE;
Klaus-peter Schmitz, Rostock-Warnemünde, DE;
Detlef Behrend, Rostock-Warnemünde, DE;
Katrin Sternberg, Rostock, DE;
Simon Williams, Sherborn, MA (US);
David Martin, Arlington, MA (US);
Thomas Lenarz, Hannover, DE;
Klaus-Peter Schmitz, Rostock-Warnemünde, DE;
Detlef Behrend, Rostock-Warnemünde, DE;
Katrin Sternberg, Rostock, DE;
Simon Williams, Sherborn, MA (US);
David Martin, Arlington, MA (US);
Tepha, Inc., Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
Drug delivery systems and biocompatible coatings for use with implantable stimulation devices such as cochlear implants have been developed. These drug delivery systems and coatings comprise polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers and copolymers. The drug delivery systems may be used to deliver pharmacologically active substances, for example, directly from a cochlear implant to the inner ear. The coatings can impart lubricity to cochlear devices for ease of insertion of the electrodes. In the preferred embodiment, the drug delivery system comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, and in the most preferred embodiment, the PHA polymer comprises poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(4HB)) or copolymer thereof. A particularly preferred embodiment is where the silicone sheath of the cochlear implant electrodes has been surface modified, and coated with P(4HB), and the P(4HB) either contains a pharmacologically active substance or has been coated with such a substance.