Patent ID: 8557273

Claim:
An implantable medical device in the shape of a pellet, rod, or cylinder, having a diameter between about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, comprising: at least one biodegradable polymer having an average molecular weight of 50,000 to 100,000 and comprising poly(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) or poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) that is present in an amount from about 80-95% of the implantable medical device by weight; and at least one biologically active agent comprising clonidine hydrochloride wherein clonidine is present in an amount from about 5-15% of the implantable medical device by weight, wherein the clonidine hydrochloride is disposed homogeneously within the medical device as particles and at least 80% of the particles have a particle size between about 10 to about 20 micrometers, wherein the implantable medical device releases a bolus dose of clonidine hydrochloride in an amount of about 45% of the clonidine hydrochloride within 5 days of implantation and releases clonidine hydrochloride over up to 30 days.