Lacrimal implants and related methods
First Claim
1. A lacrimal implant insertable through a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
- a implant body extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and including a retention structure;
an expandable retention element substantially encapsulated by the retention structure, the expandable retention element configured to expand in at least one direction when the retention structure is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus; and
wherein the retention structure inhibits the expandable retention element from protruding out of the retention structure during expansion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lacrimal implants and related methods providing secure retention within the lacrimal punctum of an eye are described. The lacrimal implants can comprise a implant body configured for at least partial insertion through the lacrimal punctum and into a lacrimal canaliculus. The implant body can include a deformable retention structure that can be configured to substantially encapsulate an expandable retention element. In some examples, the expandable retention element can include a fluid absorbing material, which can be exposed to fluid such as via a fluid permeable retainer or a fluid permeable aperture. As the fluid absorbing material retains fluid (i.e., upon acceptance of fluid into the retention structure), its size increases and its shape can change to urge one or more portions of the retention structure outward, such as against a wall of the lacrimal canaliculus, thereby securely retaining the lacrimal implant within the punctum.
141 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A lacrimal implant insertable through a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
-
a implant body extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and including a retention structure; an expandable retention element substantially encapsulated by the retention structure, the expandable retention element configured to expand in at least one direction when the retention structure is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus; and wherein the retention structure inhibits the expandable retention element from protruding out of the retention structure during expansion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A method of treating a subject having an eye disorder, comprising:
releasing a drug using a lacrimal implant that has been inserted through at least one lacrimal punctum of the subject, the lacrimal implant comprising, a implant body extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion, the implant body including a drug core at or near the proximal end portion and a retention structure at or near the distal end portion, the drug core comprising an agent and having at least one exposed surface providing release of the agent to the eye, the retention structure substantially encapsulating an expandable retention element, the expandable retention element configured to expand when the retention structure is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus; and wherein the retention structure inhibits the expandable retention element during expansion from protruding out of the retention structure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
Specification