Nasolacrimal drainage system implants for drug therapy
First Claim
1. An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient, the implant comprising:
- a drug core having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drug core having a cross-section suitable for insertion into the punctum, the drug core comprising a therapeutic agent deliverable into an eye of the patient;
a sheath disposed over a portion of the drug core to define at least one exposed surface of the drug core, the at least one exposed surface of the drug core located near the proximal end of the drug core to contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at a desired therapeutic level over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use, wherein the sheath is substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent; and
an implant body at least partially surrounding the sheath and the drug core, the implant body comprising a retention structure having a size suitable to fit at least partially within a canalicular lumen to retain an implanted position of the implant.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Implant devices, systems and methods for insertion into a punctum of a patient optionally comprises a drug core and a sheath body disposed over the drug core. The drug core includes a therapeutic agent deliverable into the eye, and the sheath defines at least one exposed surface of the drug core. The exposed surface(s) of the drug core may contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at therapeutic levels over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use. The implant may include a retention element to retain the drug core and sheath body near the punctum, optionally comprising a shape memory alloy that can resiliently expand. An occlusive element may be attached to the retention element to at least partially occlude tear flow through the canalicular lumen.
173 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient, the implant comprising:
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a drug core having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drug core having a cross-section suitable for insertion into the punctum, the drug core comprising a therapeutic agent deliverable into an eye of the patient; a sheath disposed over a portion of the drug core to define at least one exposed surface of the drug core, the at least one exposed surface of the drug core located near the proximal end of the drug core to contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at a desired therapeutic level over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use, wherein the sheath is substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent; and an implant body at least partially surrounding the sheath and the drug core, the implant body comprising a retention structure having a size suitable to fit at least partially within a canalicular lumen to retain an implanted position of the implant. - 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, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient, the implant comprising:
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a drug core including a therapeutic agent deliverable to an eye of the patient; a sheath disposed over a portion of the drug core; and an implant body at leak partially surrounding the drug core, the implant body comprising a retention structure having a size suitable to fit at least partially within a canalicular lumen to retain an implanted position of the implant.
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43. An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient, the implant comprising:
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a drug core including a therapeutic agent deliverable to an eye of the patient; a sheath disposed over a portion of the drug core; and an implant body at least partially surrounding the drug core, the implant body comprising a projection extending near a proximal end of the drug core and configured to seat against an opening of the punctum when implanted, and a retention structure having a size suitable to fit at least partially within a canalicular lumen. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification