Permeable Ocular Implant Structure for Sustained Intraocular Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for administering therapeutic agents to the eye face challenges in achieving sufficient quantities and duration of drug delivery to ocular targets, often resulting in high systemic concentrations, limited diffusion, and unwanted side effects due to metabolism and ocular fluid dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery ocular implant with a permeable or semi-permeable outer shell and controlled drug release regions, including varying permeability through thickness, orifices, and coatings, allows targeted and controlled drug elution to intraocular tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If therapeutic agents are administered systemically to achieve sufficient ocular concentrations, then drug availability at ocular targets is improved, but systemic side effects and metabolism-related losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ocular implant as an intermediary device that delivers therapeutic agents directly to intraocular tissues. The implant acts as a localized reservoir, releasing drugs through its shell into the ocular space, thereby achieving high ocular concentrations without requiring systemic administration and avoiding associated systemic side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the drug delivery function from systemic circulation and relocates it directly to the ocular target site. By removing the need for systemic distribution and metabolism, the system achieves targeted delivery with minimal off-target effects
2Object-affected harmful factors
If topical administration is used to deliver drugs to the eye, then systemic exposure is reduced, but diffusion limitations and dilution by ocular fluids reduce drug availability at target tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The ocular implant serves as an intermediary reservoir positioned within the ocular space, releasing drugs directly at the target site. This eliminates the diffusion barriers and dilution effects of topical administration while maintaining localized delivery and minimal systemic exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes a flexible shell structure with controlled permeability that allows sustained drug release directly into ocular tissues. The thin film structure facilitates efficient drug diffusion from the implant into surrounding tissues without the dilution problems of topical applications
3Duration of action of stationary object
If short-acting drug formulations are used, then device complexity is reduced, but duration of therapeutic effect is insufficient for chronic ocular conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the drug-containing composition is enclosed within the implant shell. This nested design allows the drug reservoir to be contained within a compact implant structure, enabling extended duration delivery without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the permeability parameter of the implant shell to control drug release rate. By adjusting shell thickness, material composition, or introducing controlled porosity, the system achieves sustained release over extended periods while maintaining a relatively simple device structure
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform drug release is achieved throughout the implant, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but targeted delivery to specific intraocular regions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial variation in the implant shell properties, creating regions of different permeability or thickness. This allows preferential drug release at specific locations on the implant surface, enabling targeted delivery to particular intraocular regions while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables extended, targeted drug delivery to intraocular targets with reduced side effects by minimizing systemic exposure and enhancing drug availability at the site of action.
Implementation Method 1
the outer shell being permeable or semi-permeable to a drug, thereby allowing at least a portion of the total elution of the drug to occur through the shell
Implementation Method 2
allowing at least about 5% of the total elution of the drug to occur through the portions of the shell having said first thickness
Data Source
AI summary
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 allows for treatment of increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device.