Implants with controlled drug delivery features and methods of using same
AssigneeGlaukos Corporation
InventorDavid S. Haffner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye for reduction or prevention of symptoms of the disorder. The devices are capable of controlled release of one or more drugs and may also include structures which allow for treatment of increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device.
Claims33
A drug delivery ocular implant comprising:
- an outer shell having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer shell being shaped to define an interior chamber;
- a drug positioned within the interior chamber;
- a drug release element configured to release the drug from the interior chamber, the drug release element comprising:
- a distal compression member having an annular shape with an opening extending therethrough;
- a proximal compression member having an annular shape with an opening extending therethrough;
- and
- a membrane compressed between the distal compression seal member and the proximal compression member, wherein the compressed membrane is deformed from its undeformed state;
- and
- a retainer configured to retain the drug release element in place relative to the outer shell;
- wherein the drug release element is configured such that the drug passes through the opening in the distal compression member, through the compressed membrane, through the opening in the proximal compression member, and out the proximal end of the outer shell.
A method of making a drug delivery ocular implant, the method comprising:
- providing an outer shell having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer shell defining an interior chamber;
- placing a drug into the interior chamber;
- inserting a distal compression member into the interior chamber;
- inserting a membrane into the interior chamber;
- inserting a proximal compression member into the interior chamber;
- applying a force to press the proximal compression member towards the distal compression member to compress the membrane into a compressed state while the membrane is in the interior chamber;
- and
- attaching a retainer to the outer shell to retain the membrane in the compressed state.
A drug delivery ocular implant comprising:
- an outer shell having an interior chamber providing a drug reservoir;
- a distal compression member;
- a proximal compression member;
- a membrane configured to be pressed between the distal compression member and the proximal compression member such that the membrane is in a compressed state, wherein the membrane in the compressed state has a thickness that is less than an uncompressed thickness of the membrane when in an uncompressed state, wherein the membrane is configured to be permeable to a drug such that the drug elutes through the membrane in the compressed state;
- and
- a retainer separate from the outer shell and configured to engaged with a portion of the outer shell to maintain the membrane in the compressed state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.