Asymmetric Punctal Plug Anchoring and Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for delivering therapeutic agents to the eye are inefficient, often resulting in low drug concentration and systemic side effects, and pose risks such as infection and discomfort, while punctal plugs face challenges in ease of placement and anchoring due to unique eye anatomy.

Innovation Solution

The development of lacrimal inserts with specific configurations, including elongated main bodies with reservoirs, collarettes, and head sections, featuring offset distal ends and threads for improved anchoring and retention, allowing for controlled release of therapeutic agents into the eye or nasolacrimal duct.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional eye drops are used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the delivery method is simple and easy to administer, but the drug concentration in the eye is low and systemic side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administrationVSAvoiddrug concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The punctal plug acts as an intermediary device that intercepts tears containing therapeutic agents at the punctum and redirects them through the canaliculus into the conjunctival sac, ensuring the drug reaches the eye with high concentration while preventing systemic absorption through the nasolacrimal duct

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If punctal plugs are inserted to improve drug delivery, then drug concentration and retention are improved, but placement and anchoring become difficult due to unique eye anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug concentrationVSAvoidease of placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The punctal plug features an asymmetric design with a flattened side and a domed side, where the flattened side facilitates easy insertion through the punctum while the domed side provides anchoring against the canaliculus wall, resolving the placement difficulty caused by unique eye anatomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If punctal plugs are used for therapeutic delivery, then drug delivery effectiveness is improved, but anchoring and retention in the puncta are challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery effectivenessVSAvoidanchoring and retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric configuration with flattened and domed sides provides both insertion ease and anchoring stability, with the domed side engaging the canaliculus wall to prevent displacement while maintaining reliable drug delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The domed side of the punctal plug utilizes a curved surface that conforms to the anatomical structure of the canaliculus, enhancing anchoring and retention through geometric interlocking while the flattened side maintains insertion ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9421127B2Punctal plugs

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

AI summary

Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents have a body, a portion into which the therapeutic agent is held, a winding about the body, and an enlarged portion or anchor at an end.