Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system

• US 5,554,187 A
• Filed: 08/18/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rizzo, Joseph III
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Mary Beth
• Application Number:
  US08/517,157
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 623/6, 424/427, 424/428, 424/429, 351/160 R, 427/2.22
• US Class Current: 623/6.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1613 having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/009 for hindering or preventing attachment of biological tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/406 Antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/408 Virucides, spermicides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/41 Anti-inflammatory agents, e.g. NSAIDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/602 Type of release, e.g. controlled, sustained, slow
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/34 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 29/04 Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids

Abstract

Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system for implantation into an eye. An implantable intra-ocular lens includes a carrier medium disposed on a surface of the lens. A biologically active material is embedded in the carrier medium for controlled release into the eye. Contemplated biologically active materials include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and cell growth inhibitors. The controlled release of biologically active materials within the eye is more effective than conventional topical applications of the same substances.

Claims

1. Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system for implantation into an eye comprising:

an implantable intra-ocular lens;

a carrier medium disposed on a surface of the lens; and

a biologically active material or materials embedded in the carrier medium for controlled release into the eye.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier medium is located outside a visual axis of the lens.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier medium is a gel.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier medium is a polyvinyl alcohol gel.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an antibiotic.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an anti-inflammatory agent.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an antimicrobial effective against common ocular pathogens.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is a corticosteriod.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory agent.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an anti-fibroblastic growth factor.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier medium is a gel whose density is selected to control release dynamics.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier medium is a substance adapted to effect a slow, time release of the biologically active agents.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material inhibits proliferative vitreoretirtopathy.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material inhibits tissue fibrosis.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an antiviral agent.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the biologically active material is an antifungal agent.

17. Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system for implantation into an eye comprising:

an implantable intra-ocular lens;

a polyvinyl alcohol gel carrier medium disposed on the lens; and

a biologically active material embedded in the polyvinyl alcohol gel carrier medium for controlled release into the eye.