First text to focus on drug-device combinations, a rapidly emerging specialty area of medical devices 

Drug-device combination products have an excellent history of managing genetic, metabolic, cellular, physiologic, developmental and other diseases through chemical actions. Studies of cases tracing back to the 1980s have demonstrated how devices improved on localizing concentration of a drug, eliminating side effects which are often brought on by conventional systemic means such as infusion or oral delivery. However, drugs alone cannot directly affect mechanical diseases such as stabilizing fractured bone. Devices may treat diseases by affecting electrical, mechanical, and transport processes in the patients, but often cause side effects that are related to inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling.

With chronic disorders such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and neurological degeneration still on the rise, discovery and development of new drugs and devices have lagged. Edited by two leading experts in the field, Drug-device Combinations for Chronic Diseases explores the latest advances and research in drug-device combination technology. Focused on two main areas, the book covers:

• Historical and state-of-the-art overview on how drug-device combinations improve drug release, distribution, and availability, as well as use drugs to eliminate device side effects and promote their efficiency
• Concepts and technologies of drug-device combination products
• Case studies of important products that shape our technologies, mindset and current healthcare practices
• Examples that demonstrate the effectiveness of drug-device combinations, including steroid-releasing leads, AOA-treated tissue heart valves, intrathecal drug delivery pumps, infuse bone grafts, drug-eluting stents, and antimicrobial meshes.

The book is written to appeal to employees of big pharma companies, medical device companies, private research institutes, universities, inventors, FDA and other regulatory agency professionals. Researchers and graduates, both experienced and/or new to the field will find this monograph an invaluable source of research that enriches and cultivates a strong background in medical devices.