Lacrimal implants and related methods
Inventors
Rapacki, Alan R. • Rubinchik, Valery • Holds, John B. • Sim, Sylvie • Shen, Danny
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9445944-B2
Publication Date
2016-09-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Lacrimal implants for treating diseases or disorders are disclosed. More particularly, lacrimal implants, methods of making such implants, and methods of treating ocular, respiration, inner ear or other diseases or disorders using such implants are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of providing a sustained drug release to an eye using a lacrimal implant comprising at least one drug insert. The lacrimal implant is implanted in a lacrimal canaliculus, and the implant body non-linearly extends from a proximal end portion positionable within a vertical section to a distal end portion positionable within a horizontal section.
The proximal end defines a longitudinal proximal axis, the distal end defines a longitudinal distal axis, and the intermediate portion is configured to bias against a portion of a lacrimal canaliculus ampulla. When implanted, the implant body directionally biases laterally against at least a portion of the lacrimal canaliculus located at or more distal to a canalicular curvature.
A drug insert is disposed in a cavity of the implant body. The drug insert includes a matrix with a therapeutic agent dissolved or dispersed in the matrix and an impermeable sheath body disposed over at least a portion of the matrix to define at least one insert exposed surface located at or near the proximal end of the first portion or the distal end of the second portion, and is configured to provide a sustained release of the therapeutic agent over an extended period of at least one day.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage includes five inventive features across the independent claims. The claims share the same lacrimal implant with a non-linearly extended implant body that directionally biases laterally at or distal to a canalicular curvature and a drug insert configured for sustained release over an extended period of at least one day.
Non-linearly extended lacrimal implant body with lateral bias against distal canalicular curvature
The implant comprises an implant body non-linearly extending from a proximal end portion positionable within a vertical section of the lacrimal canaliculus to a distal end portion positionable within a horizontal section, with an intermediate portion configured to bias against a portion of a lacrimal canaliculus ampulla such that, when implanted, the implant body directionally biases laterally against at least a portion of the lacrimal canaliculus located at or more distal to a canalicular curvature.
Drug insert in cavity with matrix, impermeable sheath, and insert exposed surface
A drug insert disposed in a cavity of the implant body includes a matrix with a therapeutic agent dissolved or dispersed in the matrix and an impermeable sheath body disposed over at least a portion of the matrix to define at least one insert exposed surface located at or near the proximal end of the first portion or at or near the distal end of the second portion.
Sustained release over an extended period of at least one day to the eye
The drug insert is configured to provide a sustained release of the therapeutic agent, with delivery over an extended period of at least one day to the eye, thereby providing sustained drug release to the eye.
Treating an ocular disorder using sustained drug release to the eye
A method of treating an ocular disorder includes implanting the lacrimal implant in a lacrimal canaliculus and delivering the sustained release therapeutic agent over an extended period of at least one day to the eye, whereby the ocular disorder is treated.
Treating ocular, respiratory, inner ear, pulmonary, or inflammatory disorders with delivery to eye, nasal passage, or inner ear
A method of treating an ocular, respiratory, inner ear, pulmonary, or inflammatory disorder includes implanting the lacrimal implant in a lacrimal canaliculus and delivering the therapeutic agent over an extended period of at least one day to an eye, nasal passage or inner ear whereby at least one of the ocular, respiratory, inner ear or inflammatory disorders is treated.
The claims center on a lacrimal implant with a non-linearly extended, laterally biasing implant body and a drug insert having a matrix, an impermeable sheath, and an exposed surface. The claims further require sustained release of a therapeutic agent over at least one day, with treatment scope extending from the eye to ocular, respiratory, inner ear, pulmonary, and inflammatory disorders.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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