Lacrimal implants and related methods
First Claim
1. A lacrimal implant insertable through a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
- a drug insert, an expandable retention element and a unitary implant body extending from a proximal end portion, positionable adjacent to the lacrimal punctum, to a distal end portion, positionable in a lacrimal canaliculus, the implant body comprising a first chamber configured to house the drug insert, a second chamber configured to house the expandable retention element, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second chamber;
wherein the drug insert comprises a drug core comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed in a matrix and an impermeable sheath body partially covering the drug core configured to provide at least one exposed drug core surface at a proximal end of the lacrimal implant;
wherein the expandable retention element is configured to expand in at least one direction when the lacrimal implant is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus to retain the implant body in the lacrimal canaliculus,and wherein the intermediate portion of the implant body is configured to inhibit communication of material between the first and second chamber.
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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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A lacrimal implant insertable through a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
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a drug insert, an expandable retention element and a unitary implant body extending from a proximal end portion, positionable adjacent to the lacrimal punctum, to a distal end portion, positionable in a lacrimal canaliculus, the implant body comprising a first chamber configured to house the drug insert, a second chamber configured to house the expandable retention element, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second chamber; wherein the drug insert comprises a drug core comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed in a matrix and an impermeable sheath body partially covering the drug core configured to provide at least one exposed drug core surface at a proximal end of the lacrimal implant; wherein the expandable retention element is configured to expand in at least one direction when the lacrimal implant is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus to retain the implant body in the lacrimal canaliculus, and wherein the intermediate portion of the implant body is configured to inhibit communication of material between the first and second chamber. - 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)
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24. 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 drug insert, an expandable retention element and a unitary implant body extending from a proximal end portion, positionable adjacent to the lacrimal punctum, to a distal end portion, positionable in a lacrimal canaliculus, the implant body comprising a first chamber configured to house the drug insert, a second chamber configured to house the expandable retention element, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second chamber; wherein the drug insert comprises a drug core comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed in a matrix and an impermeable sheath partially covering the drug core configured to provide at least one exposed drug core surface at a proximal end of the lacrimal implant, the expandable retention element configured to expand when the implant body is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus to retain the implant body in the lacrimal canaliculus. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
Specification