Developments in injectable depots and implants are driven by a desire to decrease the necessity for frequent medication.
Incorporating polymer technology for slow, long-term release, this route is best utilised for the treatment of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and pain management. Hip or knee cap replacements are susceptible to infection following surgery.
A preventative approach could be for the doctor to leave behind an implant that could deliver an anti-infective agent and disintegrate with time. These devices give localised, high-concentration delivery, and by tuning the ratio of drug load to polymer the required release rate can be optimised, over two days or two months.
