Drug delivery device

• US 20080140024A1
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Yaacobi, Yoseph
• Application Number:
  US11/876,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20080140024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants

Abstract

Drug delivery devices, and methods of delivering pharmaceutically active agents to a target tissue within a body using such devices, are disclosed. One drug delivery device includes a body having an internal surface for disposing proximate a target tissue and a well having an opening to the internal surface. An inner core is disposed within the well. The inner core comprises a pharmaceutically active agent and a tunnel leading into the interior of the inner core.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device, comprising:

a body having an internal surface for disposing proximate a target tissue and a well having an opening to said internal surface; and

an inner core disposed in said well, comprising;

a pharmaceutically active agent;

a first surface proximate said internal surface; and

a tunnel fluidly coupling said first surface to an interior of said inner core;

whereby said tunnel allows a fluid from said target tissue to contact said interior of said inner core.

2. The drug delivery device of claim 1 wherein said inner core has a second surface opposite said first surface and a cavity disposed on said second surface, said cavity allowing said fluid from said target tissue to contact said second surface.

3. The drug delivery device of claim 1 wherein:

said inner core has an second surface opposite said first surface;

said well includes a cavity formed proximate said second surface; and

said cavity allows said fluid from said target tissue to contact said second surface.

4. The drug delivery device of claim 1 wherein said inner core has a second surface opposite said first surface, and further comprising a spacing member disposed in said well proximate said second surface, whereby said spacing member forms a cavity that allows fluid from said target tissue to contact said second surface.

5. The drug delivery device as in any of claims 2-4 further comprising a fluid attracting material disposed in said cavity.

6. The drug delivery device of claim 5 further comprising said fluid attracting material disposed in said tunnel.

7. The drug delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said tunnels.

8. The drug delivery device of claim 1 wherein said inner core is a tablet.