Anterior segment drug delivery
First Claim
1. An ocular insert for use in an eye, the eye having upper and lower lids extendable along an anterior eye surface with an optical zone therebetween, the insert comprising:
- a first structure comprising an annulus formed of a non-biodegradable suture having a length disposable along the anterior surface of the eye of a patient sized to fit outside the optical zone of the cornea;
a second structure completely surrounding the suture such that at least a portion of the length of the suture threads through an interior of the second structure, the second structure cushioning engagement between the insert and the eye so as to inhibit irritation of the eye when the first structure helps maintain the insert in contact with the eye for a plurality of days; and
at least one drug disposed on or embedded into the second structure so as to release a safe and therapeutically effective quantity of the drug to the eye for each of the plurality of days.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A therapeutic system comprises an ocular insert placed on a region outside an optical zone of an eye. The ocular insert comprises two structures: a first skeletal structure and a second cushioning structure. The first structure functions as a skeletal frame which maintains positioning of the implant along the anterior portion of the eye and provides support to the second, cushioning structure. This first structure maintains the attachment of the therapeutic system to the anterior portion of the eye for at least thirty days. In some embodiments the first structure remains a constant size and shape, e.g. a ring shape, a ring with haptics, or a curvilinear ring that is confined to and restrainingly engages the inferior and superior conjunctival fornices so as to retain the implant within the tear fluid and/or against the tissues of the eye.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An ocular insert for use in an eye, the eye having upper and lower lids extendable along an anterior eye surface with an optical zone therebetween, the insert comprising:
-
a first structure comprising an annulus formed of a non-biodegradable suture having a length disposable along the anterior surface of the eye of a patient sized to fit outside the optical zone of the cornea; a second structure completely surrounding the suture such that at least a portion of the length of the suture threads through an interior of the second structure, the second structure cushioning engagement between the insert and the eye so as to inhibit irritation of the eye when the first structure helps maintain the insert in contact with the eye for a plurality of days; and at least one drug disposed on or embedded into the second structure so as to release a safe and therapeutically effective quantity of the drug to the eye for each of the plurality of days. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification