Ocular Insert Apparatus and Methods

摘要

A comfortable insert comprises a retention structure sized for placement under the eyelids and along at least a portion of conjunctival sac of the upper and lower lids of the eye. The retention structure resists deflection when placed in the conjunctival sac of the eye and to guide the insert along the sac when the eye moves. The retention structure can be configured in many ways to provide the resistance to deflection and may comprise a hoop strength so as to urge the retention structure outward and inhibit movement of the retention structure toward the cornea. The insert may move rotationally with deflection along the conjunctival sac, and may comprise a retention structure having a cross sectional dimension sized to fit within folds of the conjunctiva. The insert may comprise a release mechanism and therapeutic agent to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time.

主权项

1. An ocular insert for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye for an extended period of time, the insert comprising:
a first structure configured to be positioned on the eye outside a cornea of the eye and at least partially underneath at least one of the upper and lower eyelids, wherein the first structure provides a first shape of the ocular insert; a second structure supported by the first structure, wherein the second structure is of a different durometer than a material of the first structure; and at least one therapeutic agent coupled to the ocular insert; wherein the ocular insert has a first shape prior to being positioned onto the eye, and the ocular insert confirms in situ to a second shape upon being positioned onto the eye for a period of time, and wherein, upon being removed from the eye, the ocular insert has a shape that is different from the first shape.