Punctal plugs for the delivery of active agents

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9474645-B2
Application number	US-75926907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2007
Priority date	Jun 21, 2006
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

The invention provides punctal plugs for the delivery of active agent to one or both of the tear fluid of the eye and to the nasolacrimal duct that comprise a body, at least one cap, and optionally a collarette.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A punctal plug, the punctal plug comprising:
an elongated body having an enlarged segment on a first end and a collarette on a second end, the elongated body being configured for insertion into a lacrimal canaliculus of a patient;
a first cap affixed to and extending from an end of the enlarged segment, the first cap being configured as a carrier for one or more therapeutic agents for the controlled release therefor directly into the lacrimal canaliculus; and
a second cap affixed to the collarette, the second cap comprising a dome shaped top portion which extends over and covers the entire collarette, and a stem portion configured to extend into the elongated body, the second cap being configured as a carrier for one or more therapeutic agents for the controlled release therefor, wherein the stem portion is configured as a reservoir for additional therapeutic agent and supplies the additional therapeutic agent directly to the dome portion of the second cap, the dome shaped portion and the stem portion being formed from the same material, the dome shaped top portion of the second cap extends past the collarette for the release of the one or more therapeutic agents directly into the tear film on the eye.

2. A punctal plug, the punctal plug comprising:
an elongated body having an enlarged segment on a first end and a collarette on a second end, the elongated body configured for insertion into a lacrimal canaliculus of a patient; and
a cap affixed to the collarette, the cap comprising a dome shaped top portion which extends over and covers the entire collarette, and a stem portion configured to extend into the elongated body, the cap being configured as a carrier for one or more therapeutic agents for the controlled release therefore, wherein the stem portion is configured as a reservoir for additional therapeutic agent and supplies the additional therapeutic directly to the dome portion of the cap, the dome shaped portion and the stem portion being formed from the same material, the dome shaped top portion of the cap extends past the collarette for the release of the one or more therapeutic agents directly into the tear film on the eye.

Assignees

• Cui Han
• Li Zhigang
• Menezes Edgar V
• Nathan Aruna
• Trezza Ii Michael J
• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Inventors

• Cui Han
• Li Zhigang
• Menezes Edgar V
• Nathan Aruna
• Trezza Ii Michael J

Classifications

• A61F9/0017 Primary

  implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts · CPC title

• A61K9/0051

  Ocular inserts or implants · CPC title

• A61F9/00772

  Apparatus for restoration of tear ducts · CPC title

• A61F9/00 Primary

  Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting in contact-lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand (caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/0181; visors for helmets A42B3/22; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C) · CPC title

• A61K9/00

  Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form {(nuclear magnetic resonance contrast preparations or magnetic resonance imaging contrast preparations A61K49/18; preparations containing radioactive substances A61K51/12)} · CPC title