Contact lens with metered liquid system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12025858-B2
Application number	US-202017013759-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2020
Priority date	Oct 15, 2014
Publication date	Jul 2, 2024
Grant date	Jul 2, 2024

Abstract

A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus comprising:
a contact lens body having a central optical zone and an annular periphery outside of the central optical zone;
a sponge material disposed in the annular periphery, the sponge material curved axially to form an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface, the sponge material comprising high-density polyvinyl acetate or cellulose forming liquid absorbing pores; and
a liquid-impermeable shell substantially covering the outer convex surface of the sponge material annulus;
a therapeutic liquid storage reservoir disposed within the annular periphery of the contact lens body; and
a fill port connected with the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir, wherein the fill port comprises an elastomer configured to self-seal after a piercing needle is withdrawn therefrom.

2. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a one-way valve connected at an output of the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir; wherein fluid is able to flow through the one-way valve into the sponge material to continually restore percentage of liquid stored within the sponge material.

3. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an opening in an outer portion of the liquid-impermeable shell, the opening exposing a portion of the sponge material through the liquid-impermeable shell.

4. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 3 wherein the opening extends to a circumference of the liquid-impermeable shell.

5. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:
one or more additional openings in the outer portion of the liquid-impermeable shell.

6. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a manual press area on an outer surface of the annular periphery and over a portion of the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir, the manual press area configured to bow into the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir.

7. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sponge material is impregnated with an anti-infective such as an antibiotic.

8. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a therapeutic liquid within the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir.

9. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central optical zone is at least 4.0 millimeters in diameter.

10. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central optical zone comprises a lens with optical power.

11. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central optical zone comprises an opening.

12. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central optical zone comprises an optical area made with a material suitable for at least one of: ametropia correction, cosmetic correction, color correction, colorblindness treatment, or ultraviolet absorbance.

13. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sponge material is configured to release liquid to a cornea of a user when blinking and absorb excess liquid back after the blinking.

14. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a channel from the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir; and
a flow regulator connected with the channel.

15. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator includes a high-fluidic-resistance channel.

16. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the high fluidic resistance channel includes a serpentine duct.

17. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a dissolvable barrier within the serpentine duct.

18. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator includes a metering valve.

19. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator includes a pressure regulator.

20. The ophthalmic liquid delivery contact lens apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic liquid storage reservoir comprises parylene or silicone rubber.

Assignees

• California Inst Of Techn
• Univ Southern California

Inventors

• Tai Yu-Chong
• Scianmarello Nicholas E
• Deboer Charles M T
• Humayun Mark S

Classifications

• G02C7/085

  Fluid-filled lenses, e.g. electro-wetting lenses · CPC title

• A61K9/0051

  Ocular inserts or implants · CPC title

• G02C7/04 Primary

  Contact lenses for the eyes (disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00) · CPC title

• G02C7/041

  bifocal; multifocal · CPC title

• G02C7/049 Primary

  Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures · CPC title