Anterior segment drug delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery methods for the eye, such as eye drops and gels, suffer from inefficiencies in drug absorption and frequent reapplication requirements, leading to waste and potential systemic side effects, while existing ocular inserts face issues with comfort, displacement, and interference with vision.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic system comprising an ocular insert with a skeletal structure and cushioning structure designed for easy insertion and removal, which maintains positioning on the anterior eye segment for extended periods, utilizing biocompatible materials and controlled drug release mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eye drops are used for drug delivery, then the application is simple and inexpensive, but the residence time in the tear film is only 2-5 minutes and drug absorption is less than 5%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ocular insert as an intermediary device between the eye drops and the eye surface. This insert acts as a reservoir that retains the eye drops and facilitates controlled transfer of drug solution to the eye, extending residence time from minutes to hours and improving absorption efficiency while maintaining ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The ocular insert is constructed as a thin, flexible contact lens that can conform to the eye surface while providing a reservoir function. This flexible membrane structure allows the insert to remain comfortable and non-intrusive while effectively holding and releasing the drug solution over an extended period.
2Reliability
If gels are used for drug delivery, then adherence to the eye is improved, but vision is blurred for prolonged time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drug delivery system into two distinct functional components: the ocular insert (reservoir) and the eye drop solution (drug source). This segmentation allows the insert to provide adherence without using thick gel formulations, while the drug solution remains in liquid form to maintain optical clarity and vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The ocular insert serves as a mediator that provides the adherence function traditionally achieved by gels, but without the side effect of vision blurring. The insert's flexible membrane structure adheres to the eye surface while allowing clear vision, and controls the release of the liquid drug solution separately.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If ocular inserts are used for drug delivery, then residence time is extended and reapplication is reduced, but comfort and positioning stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ocular insert is made from flexible, biocompatible membrane materials that conform to the contours of the eye and eyelids. This flexibility ensures comfort during wear and natural blinking, while the insert's design allows it to be easily inserted and removed without causing discomfort or requiring complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed with a curved, anatomically-appropriate shape that matches the spherical surface of the eye. This curvature ensures stable positioning on the eye surface without requiring adhesives or complex fixation mechanisms, thereby maintaining comfort while extending residence time to several hours or days.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If ocular inserts are used for drug delivery, then frequent reapplication is reduced, but displacement and inadvertent expulsion during sleep or rubbing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The insert's curved design conforms to the spherical shape of the eye and the anatomical structures of the eyelids, creating a stable fit that resists displacement during natural eye movements, blinking, and sleep. The curvature allows the insert to be retained in place without requiring adhesives or complex fixation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane material allows the insert to deform elastically during eye movements and rubbing, then return to its original shape, preventing permanent displacement. This flexibility enables the insert to accommodate natural eye physiology while maintaining stable positioning and preventing inadvertent expulsion.
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic system comprises an ocular insert placed on a region outside an optical zone of an eye. The ocular insert comprises two structures: a first skeletal structure and a second cushioning structure. The first structure functions as a skeletal frame which maintains positioning of the implant along the anterior portion of the eye and provides support to the second, cushioning structure. This first structure maintains the attachment of the therapeutic system to the anterior portion of the eye for at least thirty days. In some embodiments the first structure remains a constant size and shape, e.g. a ring shape, a ring with haptics, or a curvilinear ring that is confined to and restrainingly engages the inferior and superior conjunctival fornices so as to retain the implant within the tear fluid and/or against the tissues of the eye.