Extended drug delivery of small, water-soluble molecules

Claim 1

A polymeric composition for extended term delivery of low molecular weight, less than or equal to 1,000 water-soluble molecules following implantation in a patient comprising biologically active, low molecular weight, water-soluble molecules to be delivered, the molecules being selected from the group of biologically active molecules consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, nucleic acids, and minerals, and a matrix, consisting essentially of a polymer selected from the group consisting of acyl substituted cellulose acetates and alkyl derivatives thereof; partially and completely hydrolyzed alkylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, crosslinked homo- and copolymers of polyvinyl acetate, crosslinked polyesters of acrylic and methacrylate; polyvinyl alkyl ethers; polyvinyl fluoride, silicone; polycarbonate, polyurethane; polyamide, polysulphones; styrene acrylonitrile copolymers, crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide); poly(alkylenes); poly(vinyl imidazole); poly(esters); poly(ethylene terephthalate); and chlorosulphonated polyolefines wherein the polymer is biocompatible and resistant to chemical and physical destruction at the site of implantation, the biologically active molecules being dispersed within the polymer matrix in a concentration within a sufficient number of pores and channels to the exterior of the matrix to result in linear diffusion of the dispersed molecules out of the matrix over an extended time period at a release rate controlled by the loading of the polymer matrix with the biologically active molecules.

Claim 4

A method for extended term delivery of low molecular weight, less than or equal to 1,000 water-soluble molecules following implantation in a patient comprising providing biologically active, low molecular weight, water-soluble molecules to be delivered, the molecules being selected from the group of biologically active molecules consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, nucleic acids, and minerals and a matrix, consisting essentially of a polymer selected from the group consisting of acyl substituted cellulose acetates and alkyl derivatives thereof; partially and completely hydrolyzed alkylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, crosslinked homo- and copolymers of polyvinyl acetate, crosslinked polyesters of acrylic and methacrylate; polyvinyl alkyl ethers; polyvinyl fluoride, silicone; polycarbonate, polyurethane; polyamide, polysulphones; styrene acrylonitrile copolymers, crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide); poly(alkylenes); poly(vinyl imidazole); poly(esters); poly(ethylene terephthalate); and chlorosulphonated polyolefines wherein the polymer is biocompatible and resistant to chemical and physical destruction at the site of implantation, the biologically active molecules being dispersed within the polymer matrix in a concentration within a sufficient number of pores and channels to the exterior of the matrix to result in linear diffusion of the dispersed molecules out of the matrix over an extended time period at a release rate controlled by the loading of the polymer matrix with the biologically active molecules.

Claim 5

A method for extended term delivery of low molecular weight, less than or equal to 1,000 water-soluble molecules following implantation in a patient comprising providing biologically active, low molecular weight, water-soluble molecules to be delivered, the molecules being selected from the group of biologically active molecules consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, nucleic acids, and minerals and a matrix, consisting essentially of a polymer selected from the group consisting of acyl substituted cellulose acetates and alkyl derivatives thereof; partially and completely hydrolyzed alkylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, crosslinked homo- and copolymers of polyvinyl acetate, crosslinked polyesters of acrylic and methacrylate; polyvinyl alkyl ethers; polyvinyl fluoride, silicone; polycarbonate, polyurethane; polyamide, polysulphones; styrene acrylonitrile copolymers, crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide); poly(alkylenes); poly(vinyl imidazole); poly(esters); poly(ethylene terephthalate); and chlorosulphonated polyolefines wherein the polymer is biocompatible and resistant to chemical and physical destruction at the site of implantation, the biologically active molecules being dispersed within the polymer matrix in a concentration within a sufficient number of pores and channels to the exterior of the matrix to result in linear diffusion of the dispersed molecules out of the matrix over an extended time period at a release rate controlled by the loading of the polymer matrix with the biologically active molecules.