Contact lens drug depot
Inventors
Daphna, Ofer • Levy, Brian • Ferera, Nahum
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11079613-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-03
Expiration Date
2033-03-05
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Abstract
A method includes placing a contact lens over a cornea of an eye. The contact lens includes a central convex disc, a peripheral curved portion that extends radially from the disc, an annular groove formed in the disc on the posterior portion, and one or more apertures formed in the groove. A drug substance is placed over the anterior portion of the contact lens. The groove is in contact with the cornea and is a depot for the drug substance. The groove is in fluid connection with the anterior portion of the lens via the one or more apertures. The drug substance moves in an undiluted manner to the groove and the contact lens holds the drug substance in contact with the cornea, unaffected by blinking or tear exchange, facilitating enhanced bioavailability to the cornea of the drug substance.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a contact lens designed to serve as a drug depot by means of a unique structure including a channel or groove on the posterior (inner) portion of the lens that contacts the cornea. This groove acts as a reservoir or "lake" for drug substances placed on the anterior (outer) lens surface, facilitating enhanced bioavailability by holding the drug in contact with the cornea relatively unaffected by blinking or tear exchange.
The problem being solved arises from the short residence time of topical drugs on the corneal surface when applied as drops, where blinking and tear dilution rapidly deplete the drug, reducing its effectiveness. Prior art lenses have limitations such as drug compatibility with lens materials or lack of structural features ensuring prolonged contact between the drug and the cornea.
The contact lens of the invention includes a central convex disc, a peripheral curved portion, an annular groove formed on the posterior portion of the disc, and one or more apertures in the groove that fluidly connect the groove with the anterior lens surface. The design enables drug substances placed on the anterior surface to move in an undiluted manner through the apertures to the groove in contact with the cornea, thus maintaining the drug concentration and contact time for increased therapeutic efficiency.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent method claim focusing on a drug depot contact lens and its functional features.
Contact lens structure comprising a central convex disc, peripheral curved portion, annular posterior groove, and apertures
The contact lens includes a central convex disc with a peripheral curved portion extending radially from the disc. An annular groove is formed on the posterior portion of the disc, and one or more apertures are formed in the groove, establishing fluid connection between the anterior lens surface and the groove.
Method of placing a drug substance on the anterior lens portion to create a drug depot in the posterior groove
A drug substance is placed over the anterior portion of the contact lens. The groove on the posterior portion, which contacts the cornea, serves as a depot for the drug substance. Drug movement through the apertures allows the drug to reach the groove undiluted.
Enhanced drug bioavailability by holding the drug in contact with the cornea without detrimental effects from blinking or tear exchange
The contact lens holds the drug substance in contact with the cornea unaffected by blinking or tear exchange, thus facilitating enhanced bioavailability of the drug to the cornea.
The claims collectively cover a contact lens having a posterior groove and apertures facilitating undiluted drug transport to the corneal surface, which maintains drug contact unaffected by blinking or tears, thereby enhancing corneal bioavailability.
Stated Advantages
The contact lens enhances drug bioavailability by maintaining the drug in contact with the cornea for longer periods without dilution or loss due to blinking and tear exchange.
The lens allows higher drug concentrations at the corneal surface compared to topical drops.
The structure facilitates the drug to move in an undiluted manner from the anterior surface to the posterior groove.
Documented Applications
Treatment of corneal infections.
Treatment of uveitis.
Treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCE).
Use in corneal collagen cross-linking procedures to hold riboflavin in place during intra-operative use and reduce procedure time.
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