Systems to affix devices to intraocular lens assemblies and related methods
Inventors
Cable, II, Craig Alan • Kahook, Malik Y. • Maass, Sean • Zacher, Rudolph
Assignees
University of Colorado Colorado Springs • Spyglass Pharma Inc
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Publication Number
US-11779457-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a drug delivery component to an intraocular lens (IOL) assembly. The systems generally include a support base and a plunger. The support base includes a first portion configured to accommodate a drug delivery component; and a second portion configured to act as a plunger guide. The plunger can be inserted into the plunger guide such that the plunger is positioned to interface with a drug delivery component and an IOL assembly during use. The plunger includes an elongated body and a tip, wherein the tip can include a ramp configured to interface with a fixation loop of a drug delivery component during use and a compartment configured to interface with a haptic of an IOL assembly during use.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to intraocular drug delivery systems and a mechanism for securing a drug delivery component to an intraocular lens (IOL) assembly. The drug delivery component includes a therapeutic agent-containing portion and a fixation loop coupled to the therapeutic agent-containing portion, and the IOL assembly includes a haptic. A support base and a plunger guide movement of the plunger relative to the support base and engage the fixation loop with the haptic through guided plunger tip insertion.
In the disclosed system, the drug delivery component is positioned on a support base to expose the fixation loop, including a posterior-side up orientation. The support base includes a plunger guide that guides movement of the plunger relative to the support base along an axis that intersects a recess, and the plunger tip is received in the fixation loop to secure the drug delivery component in a first state.
The mechanism further includes a state sequence in which further distal advancement transitions the fixation loop to a second state by expanding the fixation loop so it can pass the haptic, and proximal retraction transitions the fixation loop to a third state by contracting the fixation loop onto the IOL haptic. Plunger tip features such as a ramp and a compartment engage the fixation loop and haptic to coordinate the expansion and contraction, and additional structures such as a key/lock and haptic retention features are described to stabilize positioning and inhibit plunger movement for packaging.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on a plunger and support base arrangement that guides a plunger tip into a fixation loop to secure a drug delivery component to an IOL assembly, with additional coverage in dependent claims for specific state transitions, ramp/compartment engagement features, and locking/instructional constraints.
Plunger tip insertion into a fixation loop to secure in a first state
A system comprising a plunger and a support base, the support base including a first portion configured for accommodating the drug delivery component and a plunger guide for guiding movement of the plunger relative to the support base, wherein with the drug delivery component positioned at the first portion the plunger is guided in distal movement so that the tip is received in the fixation loop to secure the drug delivery component in a first state at the first portion.
Posterior-side up recess receiving the therapeutic agent-containing portion with axial plunger guidance
A system comprising a support base and a plunger, the support base including a plunger guide and a recess sized and shaped to receive the therapeutic agent-containing portion therein in a posterior-side up orientation, wherein the plunger guide guides movement of the plunger relative to the support base along an axis that intersects the recess, and wherein with the therapeutic agent-containing portion received in the recess the plunger tip is received in the fixation loop.
The independent claims broadly cover securing a therapeutic agent-containing drug delivery component to an IOL assembly by guiding a plunger tip into a fixation loop, with one independent claim emphasizing distal insertion to secure a first state and the other emphasizing a recess configured for posterior-side up orientation and axial plunger guidance intersecting the recess. The dependent claims described in the partial content further refine the engagement using ramp/sidewall compartment structures and define expansion and contraction of the fixation loop, plus optional locking and kit constraints.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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