A drug insert surrounded by a sheath to expose a polymer containing a drug to surrounding tissues or an eye

摘要

A drug insert for insertion into a punctum of a patient is disclosed. A drug insert is configured for disposition within an implant (100), the implant being configured for insertion into a lacrimal canaliculus of a patient for providing sustained release of a therapeutic agent to the eye or surrounding tissues or both. The insert has a drug core (110) comprising a therapeutic agent (160) contained in a matrix (170) and a sheath body (120) comprising material substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent, wherein the drug core is positioned within the sheath body. The sheath body is configured to provide an exposed proximal end of the drug core that releases therapeutic agent to the eye when the drug insert is disposed within the implant and the implant is inserted into the lacrimal canaliculus of the patient. The other end of the drug core is sealed with a medical-grade adhesive. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.