Ocular insert apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. An ocular insert for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye for an extended period of time, the insert comprising:
- a supporting skeletal structure forming at least an arc of an annulus, the skeletal structure configured to be positioned on the eye outside the cornea of the eye and at least partially underneath at least one of the upper and lower eyelids;
an outer structure encapsulating at least a first portion of the skeletal structure along the arc, the outer structure supported by the skeletal structure, wherein the outer structure is of a durometer that is lower than a durometer of the skeletal structure; and
at least one therapeutic agent provided by the ocular insert;
wherein the ocular insert has a first shape prior to being positioned onto the eye, and the ocular insert conforms in situ after being positioned onto the eye for a period of time, and wherein, upon being removed from the eye, the ocular insert maintains a second shape that is different from the first shape, wherein the skeletal structure determines the first shape and the second shape of the ocular insert.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A comfortable insert comprises a retention structure sized for placement under the eyelids and along at least a portion of conjunctival sac of the upper and lower lids of the eye. The retention structure resists deflection when placed in the conjunctival sac of the eye and to guide the insert along the sac when the eye moves. The retention structure can be configured in many ways to provide the resistance to deflection and may comprise a hoop strength so as to urge the retention structure outward and inhibit movement of the retention structure toward the cornea. The insert may move rotationally with deflection along the conjunctival sac, and may comprise a retention structure having a cross sectional dimension sized to fit within folds of the conjunctiva. The insert may comprise a release mechanism and therapeutic agent to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An ocular insert for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye for an extended period of time, the insert comprising:
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a supporting skeletal structure forming at least an arc of an annulus, the skeletal structure configured to be positioned on the eye outside the cornea of the eye and at least partially underneath at least one of the upper and lower eyelids; an outer structure encapsulating at least a first portion of the skeletal structure along the arc, the outer structure supported by the skeletal structure, wherein the outer structure is of a durometer that is lower than a durometer of the skeletal structure; and at least one therapeutic agent provided by the ocular insert; wherein the ocular insert has a first shape prior to being positioned onto the eye, and the ocular insert conforms in situ after being positioned onto the eye for a period of time, and wherein, upon being removed from the eye, the ocular insert maintains a second shape that is different from the first shape, wherein the skeletal structure determines the first shape and the second shape of the ocular insert. - 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)
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Specification