DRUG DELIVERY FROM CONTACT LENSES WITH A FLUIDIC MODULE

• US 20160018671A1
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Onefocus Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Onefocus Technology, LLC
• Inventors: GUPTA, Amitava, WAITE, Steve, SCHNELL, Urban
• Application Number:
  US14/764,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20160018671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/498 Pyrazines or piperazines ortho- and peri-condensed with carbocyclic ring systems, e.g. quinoxaline, phenazine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/5377 not condensed and containing further heterocyclic rings, e.g. timolol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/10 Antimycotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/08 Antiallergic agents antiasthmatic agents A61P11/06; ophthalmic antiallergics A61P27/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures

Abstract

A soft contact lens comprises a module embedded in a soft contact lens material. The module comprises a hydrophobic material having channels formed therein, such that a surface tension of the aqueous solution within the channels inhibits release of therapeutic agent, such as a drug, through the one or more channels. The surface tension of the aqueous solution within the channel can inhibit diffusion of the therapeutic agent through the channel. The channels may comprise a cross-sectional area and optionally a length, such that therapeutic agent is released through the channels when pressure of the eyelid increases. In many embodiments, the contact lens is configured to inhibit release of the therapeutic agent when the contact lens comprises a free floating configuration, for example when stored in a contact lens solution, such that the storage time of the contact lens can be increased substantially.

Claims

1. A soft contact lens comprising:

a container comprising a plurality of openings sized to release a therapeutic agent; and

a soft contact lens material encapsulating the container.

2. A soft contact lens as in claim 1, further comprising a module, the module comprising the container, wherein the module comprises a plurality of anchors to anchor the module in the soft contact lens material and wherein the module comprises a barrier material to inhibit release of the therapeutic agent.

3. A soft contact lens as in claim 2, wherein a material of the module comprises an optically transparent material extending across at least a portion of an optically corrective portion of the contact lens and wherein one or more of the plurality of anchors extends at least partially within the optically used portion of the lens and wherein the material comprises an index of refraction similar to the soft contact lens material in order to inhibit light scatter.

4. A soft contact lens as in claim 1, wherein the openings are sized to provide a gated release of therapeutic agent in response to pressure of the eyelid, in which surface tension extending across each of the plurality of openings inhibits diffusion of therapeutic agent and wherein a pressure of the eyelid urges fluid of the container through the plurality of openings.

5. A soft contact lens as in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a hydrophobic material, and wherein the openings are sized to release the therapeutic agent in response to pressure of the eyelid and to inhibit release of the therapeutic agent when the contact lens comprises a free floating configuration.

6. A soft contact lens as in claim 5, wherein the openings are sized to inhibit diffusion of the therapeutic agent through the opening in response to a surface tension of a solution comprising the therapeutic agent.

7. A soft contact lens as in claim 5, wherein the openings of the container comprise a length extending along a thickness of the container wall and are dimensioned with a cross sectional area in to release therapeutic agent in response to pressure of the eyelid and inhibit diffusion of the therapeutic agent through the cross-sectional area.

8. A soft contact lens as in claim 7, wherein a maximum dimension across the cross-sectional area comprises no more than about 50 nm.

9. A soft contact lens as in claim 8, wherein the length is sized to allow a therapeutic amount of fluid comprising the therapeutic agent to be forced through the opening with pressure of the eyelid.

10. A soft contact lens as in claim 5, wherein the free floating configuration comprises a configuration of the contact lens placed in a solution of a storage container.

16. The holes of claim 12 wherein said holes are added exclusively on the membrane facing the cornea of the eye fitted with said lens of claim 1.

22. The module of claim 11 wherein said module ejects a volume of solution of a drug equal to 5-10 picoliters per blink when said contact lens of claim 1 is fitted in the eye of a wearer

30. A method, the method comprising providing the contact lens of any one of the preceding claims.

11. A drug eluting soft contact lens comprising a fluid filled module filled with a solution of said drug at a concentration of 1-300 millimoles per liter.

13. The module of claim 11 wherein said module is comprised of membranes wherein said membranes are penetrated by holes of diameter in the range of 100-500 nanometers.

14. The module of claim 11 wherein said module is of diameter in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm.

15. The module of claim 11 wherein said solution cannot permeate through said membrane of claim 2 except through said holes.

17. The contact lens of claim 11 wherein said lens elutes drugs substantially only when said lens is under a compressive force greater than 8 millinewtons.

18. The solution of claim 11 wherein said solution has a preferred range of concentration of 50-100 millimoles per liter

19. The module of claim 11 wherein said module comprises membranes who thickness is in the range of 10-30 microns.

20. The drug of claim 11 wherein said drug is in the range of 50-500 micrograms, preferably 50-250 micrograms.

21. The solution of claim 11 wherein said solution is of volume 3-12 microliters

23. The module of claim 11 wherein the module comes under an eyelid pressure of 3-20 mm of mercury during a blink.

24. The module of claim 11 wherein said module comes under negative pressure during the inter-blink period.

25. The module of claim 11 wherein tear fluid enters said module through the holes on said membrane of claim 12 during the inter-blink period.

26. The fluidic module of claim 11 wherein said module does not substantially affect the refractive properties of said lens.

29. The lens of claims 26 and 27 wherein said lens is designed for correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, prismatic errors and any combinations thereof.

12. A drug eluting soft contact lens comprising a fluid filled module filled with a solution of said drug at a concentration of 1-300 millimoles per liter.

27. A drug eluting soft contact lens comprising a fluidic module wherein said lens may be worn continuously for a period not exceeding 11 month.

28. A drug eluting soft contact lens comprising a fluidic module wherein said lens is replaced at least once a year.