Ophthalmic insert
First Claim
1. An apparatus for delivering a sustained release of ocular medication to an eye, comprising:
- a stent having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a collarette configured to be secured against a punctum of the nasal lacrimal system, and the distal end including an expandable pouch for storing the medication to be delivered to the eye, the stent having a length substantially equivalent to a length of a canaliculus that is joined to the punctum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device for delivering medication to an eye includes a stent having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end includes a collarette configured to be secured against a punctum of the nasal lacrimal system, and the distal end includes an expandable pouch for storing the medication to be delivered to the eye. The stent has a length substantially equivalent to a length of a canaliculus that is joined to the punctum such that, when implanted, the expandable pouch of the medical device is disposed in the nasal lacrimal sac of the patient and the medication is thereafter released through an opening in the collarette. A mechanical pumping mechanism in the expandable pouch and/or a membrane covering the opening in the collarette may be provided to better control release of the fluid. The stent may also include anchoring pegs disposed on an exterior surface thereof that, when the device is implanted, contact an interior surface of the canaliculus. An inserter tool is also described.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering a sustained release of ocular medication to an eye, comprising:
a stent having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a collarette configured to be secured against a punctum of the nasal lacrimal system, and the distal end including an expandable pouch for storing the medication to be delivered to the eye, the stent having a length substantially equivalent to a length of a canaliculus that is joined to the punctum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. An ophthalmic insert for sustained release of medication to an eye, comprising:
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a flexible tube having an interior passageway; a collarette having a passageway coaxially arranged with the passageway of the flexible tube and attached to a first end of the flexible tube; and an expandable pouch, configured to store the medication, attached to a second end of the flexible tube, the flexible tube having a length substantially equivalent to a length of a canaliculus that is joined to the punctum such that, when the flexible tube, collarette and expandable pouch are implanted in a patient, the expandable pouch is disposed in the nasal lacrimal sac of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A medical apparatus for delivering medication to an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a stent having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a collarette configured to be secured against a punctum of the nasal lacrimal system, and the distal end including an expandable pouch for storing the medication to be delivered to the eye, the stent having a length substantially equivalent to a length of a canaliculus that is joined to the punctum; and an inserter tool comprising a probe and anchoring pegs configured to push against at least one of an interior of the distal end of the stent and an interior of the expandable pouch. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification